Can I Do A Background Check On Myself?

Any company you apply to may examine your references when you submit a job application. After they have finished, you can request the results from the employer or screening agency to evaluate the information with more context.

However, if you want to examine your online history or public records on your own, you can run a personal background check by following the steps below.

1. Look Up Your Social Security Number

Your Social Security Number (SSN) is often required by employers who want to perform background checks. It helps employers verify your identity and look up all kinds of information about you, such as your credit history, the places you’ve lived, and sometimes even the medical conditions that you have. You can also look up your Social Security Number online to see exactly what potential employers see.

2. Check Your Credit Report

A potential employer may look at your credit report when conducting a background check. You can also examine this data on your own by requesting a credit report from the major credit bureaus, such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Many will provide you with one free credit report annually.

Companies may also get a credit report to confirm your identity or investigate your financial background. Certain employers use this data to measure a candidate’s fiscal responsibility.

But, they can only pull this information from background check providers that abide by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Additionally, prospective employers cannot do a background check credit report without your consent according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

3. Criminal History

Many employers conduct criminal checks on prospective employees as well. This type of background check may reveal past criminal activity, such as arrest records and criminal charges either on the federal level or state level.

You can request your criminal records from the relevant courts, prison authorities, or corrections department to discover exactly what information is provided to employers.

4. Look Into Your Driving Records

Even though not all companies look at it, your driving records could appear in a pre-employment background check. When employers require driving, they often look for such details. Transportation services need to know that they are hiring drivers who will be trustworthy, conscientious, and careful with their motor vehicles. But, the employer needs your consent to run a report like this, just like a credit check.

You can also get a copy of your driving record from the DMV in your state. You can view this information either online or visit one of their offices in-person and request a copy. The cost of obtaining a copy of your driving record will depend on your state.

You may also want to check with any other states where you’ve held a driver’s license in the last few years.

4. Employment Record

Job applications usually require candidates to provide details about their work history. You can verify your employment history by contacting your previous employers. Other options include getting your social security file, tax returns, and credit reports to learn more about your employment background.

5. Academic Record

Some prospective employers request transcripts from the schools you have attended. They may request details about your academic background, such as where you went to college and a general academic overview, to get a better understanding of your educational background. You can check your transcripts by contacting the academic institution(s) you attended to verify their accuracy.

6. Confirm Your Past Addresses

Some employers check a candidate’s past and current address during employment background checks. Address details are useful for authenticating your identity. This information can also corroborate information found in other databases about your driving and criminal histories. You can use your credit reports, tax data, and other public documents to confirm which past addresses will be accessible to an employer.

7. Examine Your Online Profiles

Many employers nowadays check the social media presence of prospective employees. They care about their own online reputation and want to make sure their staff doesn’t do anything to harm it. Therefore, your social media accounts should not display or link you to any illegal, violent, aggressive, or harassing content.

Review your existing social media profiles and make any necessary modifications or updates. Additionally, keep an eye on public profile social media accounts that you follow to maintain a good name for yourself. You can also try searching for your name or common online aliases to discover past profiles. If you discover outdated profiles that you’d rather keep hidden from employers, you can always try to delete them permanently.