Whether you are completing a job application or trying to rent an apartment, there are times when you may be asked to provide a complete history of places you have worked in the past. This can be a daunting task if you have had several jobs or have worked many jobs over the years. To complicate matters further, if you lived in different states, you may not remember each and every job you've held. There are resources to help you find the information you need.

Contact the local Social Security Administration office for a comprehensive statement of your employment history. You must complete the Request For Social Security Earnings Information, Form SSA-7050-F4. There will be a fee required to cover clerical processing.

Check your credit report. You are entitled to one free credit report each year. You can request a copy each year on the Federal Trade Commission’s website. There are also other services available that offer free credit reports such as FreeCreditReport.com.

Go through past tax returns. It is always a good practice to keep copies of government documents securely locked away. Check old tax returns since you can find past job information located on the Form W-2 issued by our previous employer.

Request a copy of previously filed and processed returns from the Internal Revenue Service. This will include all attachments as well as Form W-2 for each year filed. To request this information, you must complete IRS Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, and mail it along with a processing fee. At the time of publication, the fee was $57.00 for each year requested.

Pay for an online background check. Many employers use the services of companies that run comprehensive background checks on potential employees. They are able to verify previous criminal records, credit history, previous addresses and work history. Do an Internet search and read reviews of different services. They will charge a fee and the turnaround time is typically 24 to 48 hours.

Tip

It is a good idea to keep a list of all of the places you have worked. Use a notebook and keep it securely tucked way with other important documents.

Keep your resume up to date so you have your work history in one place.