Many employment applications ask for personal information, such as your name and any other names you've used. The reason this type of information is required is because many employers conduct background checks and, to obtain accurate information about you, they must know all the names you may have used to verify your employment, salary, military service and Social Security number. Omitting information -- intentionally or inadvertently -- may destroy your chances for an interview. And if you're already employed by the time the company discovers the omission or cover-up, you risk being terminated.