How to Run a Background Check on Yourself

When you talk about the globe being a village in this digital age, you can't ignore that it's making the past unforgettable. It's all in the records. Every post, every tweet, every drunken Facebook photo from that bachelor party in Vegas. They all are lingering in the ether like a bad smell. 

Well, you need a self-background check. It sniffs out any potential landmines before they detonate your chances at that dream job or, let's be honest, that blind date.

Imagine you're up for a promotion, then HR  runs a background check. Suddenly, that fraternity prank from college you thought you buried resurfaces, courtesy of some overzealous blogger with a grudge. That's a buzzkill, right? What if you had done a self-background check? You would have played offense, as your private investigator, and cleaned up any digital messes before they came back to bite you in the, well, you get the picture.

The Lowdown on Why You Need This:

• Peace of Mind: Peace comes with knowing exactly what someone might find online. You get to somewhat control what they see. 
• Error Patrol: Public records are notorious for typos and inaccuracies. A self-background check means you can clear your name before it becomes a bureaucratic nightmare.
• Proactive Power Play:  By addressing potential red flags beforehand, you control the narrative. You can explain that speeding ticket from college or that drunk post. 
• Reputation Rehab: The internet is a record keeper, but a self-background check empowers you to take charge. You can scrub (legally, of course) outdated info and curate a professional online persona that points out the current you.  

How to do a self-background check 

1. Assemble Your Arsenal: Gather intel. That is your full name, any aliases (think college nicknames or that embarrassing stage name you once used), Social Security number (for credit report purposes only, wink wink), and a list of past addresses. Think of it as your dossier.
2. Credit Check: You get to have a free credit report annually from each of the big three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Comb through them like a seasoned accountant looking for discrepancies. There could be debts you forgot about. Maybe some  Inaccurate info. Go on dispute them and get your financial affairs in order.
3. Criminal Records: This is usually tricky given that the availability and procedures vary depending on your location. You ought to check your state or county court websites for info on requesting a criminal background check.

Some paid background check services offer self-check options, too. Just remember, some states might restrict access to certain records, so do your homework.

4. Driving Record: The thing about Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) websites is that they let you download a copy of your driving record online. This is where past traffic violations or license suspensions come to light. A clean record is a plus, given your dream job involves driving a company car. Keep it clean, no more "Fast & Furious" reenactments on the way to the client meeting, okay?
5. Employment and Education Verification: You obviously can't directly verify your own work history or educational achievements, but you can gather intel. Think of pay stubs, diplomas, or transcripts. Having such documents on hand shows preparedness and streamlines the background check process for any future employers.
6. Professional License Check: Doctors, lawyers, real estate agents – this one's for you. You need to verify the status of your professional license online. These licensing boards have portals where you can confirm their validity and check for any disciplinary actions. Remember, nobody wants a rogue dentist on their watch.
7. Operation Google Search: The most important (and potentially surprising) part of your self-background check? A simple Google search. You just type in your full name and any variations (including nicknames or maiden names) and see what pops up.

How can someone do a background check on themselves, and what will they find?

Well, we tell people you can go to the internet, and you can put in background checks, and you will find companies that will do a background for $50, $100. But that is fishing in a small pond. So, the data there is not thorough; it’s not complete. It’s not always the best and most accurate, whereas if you come to an agency like ours with its in-house computer system, it’s like fishing in the Pacific Ocean. There’s a lot more data, and we’re buying it. And so you have to consider whether I can get something on the internet for $100, which satisfies you. If that’s what you’re looking for, great. But if you want to have a real background that you can use, say in court, as a court-ready document or have the satisfaction of knowing it’s been done by former agents, then you’ll probably spend seven to $900.

Digging Deeper: Social Media, News, and Beyond

Now that you've got the basics covered, let's delve a little deeper:

• Social Media Audit: There could be incriminating photos lurking on Facebook from that wild spring break trip to Cancun. Perhaps inappropriate comments on Twitter threads? Well, you ought to do damage control. Tighten up those privacy settings, delete anything that screams bad social reputation, and maybe consider separate accounts for your professional and, "leisurely" online life.
• News Detective: Negative news articles can be a real buzzkill. Worst part? They can sometimes be out of your control. But it doesn't mean that when you find an outdated or inaccurate story, you sit there like a lump. No, you have to reach out to the publication and see if they offer corrections or takedown options. 
• Review Aggregator Smackdown: Mother Internet is full of online review platforms – Yelp, and Google Reviews, to mention a few. Search your name on these sites and see what kind of feedback you're getting. Maybe that disgruntled neighbor left a scathing review about your holiday decorations. If you see some inaccuracies,  dispute them. Just be professional and objective in your response – no online brawls, people.

Maintaining Your Online Fortress: Beyond the Self-Background Check

A self-background check is a powerful tool, but it's continuous. That being said, you need your reputation sparkling. 

• Consistency is King: Use the same name and variations across all platforms. Think of it like branding, baby. You want a clear, consistent message that screams "reliable professional."
• Professionalize Your Social Media: Yes, there are those privacy settings we talked about earlier. You need to double-check them to ensure your social media profiles project an image that would make your grandma proud. Be humane, a social genius who won’t share anything that could be perceived negatively in a professional setting. And for the love of all that's slick, ditch the blurry party pics and political rants.
• Become a Content Kingpin: Don't just be a consumer on the internet. You have to give back by engaging in positive online interactions and contributing valuable content to relevant communities. That can be arranged through sharing thoughtful comments, articles, or insights. The whole idea is to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. People respect authority, and online authority can open doors (and wallets) down the road.
• Be Your Online Watchdog:  stay in control, and do the self-background checks often. They will help you stay updated on what information appears about you online. It's sort of preventive maintenance for your digital reputation. The sooner you catch a potential issue, the better you deal with it the sooner. 

Closing up 

Committing your time and efforts to run a thorough self-background check is an investment in yourself. You are empowering yourself to stay in control of your online and past narratives. You get to identify and rectify any errors, and ultimately present the best possible version of yourself to the world. 

Online presence can be so damaging if you don't get to manage it proactively. But if you commit to it, you can ensure it opens doors and propels you forward in your professional and personal endeavors.