Why Run a Background Check on Yourself?
Employers have been running background checks on job candidates for years. These screenings ensure that a candidate is who they say they are, prevent violent felons from joining the team, and prevent surprise liabilities from surfacing later.
A personal background check gives you the same view of your records that potential employers will see during the hiring process.
The good news is that it is easier than ever to run a background check on yourself through a professional screening company like KRESS.
Common Reasons to Run a Personal Background Check
Not All Background Checks Are Accurate
Somewhere along the line, a police officer could have mis-cataloged a criminal conviction and filed it under your record instead of where it belonged. A careless background check company can pull the wrong criminal records entirely, especially if you have a common name.
Running a background check on yourself can reveal inaccurate information and give you a chance to resolve the problem before it costs you a job. Under federal law, you have the right to dispute errors and request corrections through the screening company.
Knowledge Is Power
Many people have misconceptions about how background checks work, believing that there is some giant database that can produce criminal records, driving history, credit report data, and more within minutes. That is not how it works.
Criminal background information is scattered across county court records, state repositories, sex offender registries, and other sources nationwide. Running a personal background check gives you a better understanding of this process and helps you see why information could sometimes be incomplete or outdated.
Preparation Is Key
If you have a criminal record, poor credit history, or a rough driving record, you likely have a logical explanation for every issue. But your prospective employer is not going to see your story on a criminal background check report.
What they will see are records, dates, and charges. Running a check on yourself allows you to bring up the problem areas and your explanations before your employer does, which shows preparation and honesty.
It Gives You a Competitive Edge
The job market is as competitive as ever. Every piece of work experience, every interview response, every reference can make or break your job chances.
By running a background check on yourself and clearing up any issues ahead of time, you will be making a preparation that most competing applicants will not. Combined with a strong resume and solid references, a clean background check report helps you stand out.
What Shows Up on a Background Check?
A typical employment background check may include several types of searches depending on the employer and the position. Here is what employers tend to look for:
Criminal Records
This is the most common component. A criminal background check searches for felony and misdemeanor convictions, arrest records, and pending charges. Searches may be conducted at the county level, the state level, or through a national criminal search that scans multiple databases. Many employers also check sex offender registries and global watchlist records.
Employment and Education Verification
Employers may verify your previous employment history and educational background to confirm what you listed on your resume. Discrepancies between what you claimed and what the verification reveals can be a red flag during the hiring process.
Credit Reports
Some positions, particularly those involving financial responsibilities, include a credit report review. This shows your credit accounts, payment history, and any public financial records.
Under federal law, employers need your written consent before pulling a credit report for employment purposes. You are entitled to a free copy of your report annually from each major bureau.
Driving Records
For roles that involve operating a vehicle, employers will request your driving record. This report shows traffic violations, license suspensions, and any DUI or DWI charges.
Address History and Identity Verification
Your address history is traced using your social security number to determine which jurisdictions to search for criminal records. This step is critical because criminal records are maintained at the county level in many states. A thorough search depends on knowing everywhere you have lived.
How to Run a Background Check on Yourself
Step 1: Choose a Professional Screening Company
While free background check tools exist online, they often pull from limited or outdated databases. For an employer-quality report that shows you what hiring managers will actually see, use a professional screening provider like KRESS. A professional service searches the same court records, criminal background databases, and public records that employers use.
Step 2: Provide Your Information
You will need to submit your full legal name, date of birth, social security number, and complete address history. This information is used to verify your identity and locate records across all relevant jurisdictions.
Step 3: Review Your Report
When your report arrives, review every section carefully. Check criminal records for accuracy, verify that employment and education details are correct, and confirm that no records belonging to someone else have been mixed in with yours. If anything looks wrong, note it so you can take action.
Step 4: Dispute Any Errors
If you find inaccurate information, you have the right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act to dispute it. The screening company must investigate and correct confirmed errors within 30 days. Common issues include records belonging to someone with a similar name, dismissed charges that still appear, or outdated information that should have aged off your report.
Step 5: Prepare for Employer Questions
If your report contains accurate but potentially concerning information, such as a past conviction or a gap in employment, prepare a brief and honest explanation. Many employers evaluate criminal history on a case-by-case basis, considering factors like how long ago the offense occurred and whether it is relevant to the role. Having your explanation ready demonstrates preparation and transparency.
How Long Does a Personal Background Check Take?
Turnaround time depends on the scope of the search. A national criminal search can return results within one hour. County-level criminal records searches may take several business days because they require direct requests to individual court records systems. A complete personal background check through KRESS typically takes a few business days. The process is not as time-consuming as many people expect.
How KRESS Can Help
If you want to see what employers will find when they screen you, you do not have to figure it out alone. KRESS is one of the country's most trusted resources for employment screening. We provide employer-quality reports so you can see exactly what hiring managers will see.
Frequently Asked Questions About Running a Background Check on Yourself
What criminal records show up on an employment background check?
An employment background check typically reports felony and misdemeanor records, including arrest records and conviction records. The search may cover county, state, and federal court records depending on the scope. Most background checks go back seven years for employment purposes, though some states and applicable laws allow a longer lookback period.
A national criminal search pulls from multiple databases to identify potential criminal history across jurisdictions. If you have a criminal history, reviewing your own report first lets you prepare to explain the circumstances to potential employers.
Will a background check show my credit report?
Some background checks include a credit report, though not all do. When a credit report is included, it typically shows your credit accounts, payment history, outstanding debts, and any public financial records such as bankruptcies or liens. It does not include your credit score.
Under federal law, employers must get your written consent before pulling your credit report for employment purposes. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major bureaus once per year, which is a good first step before a potential employer requests one.
How far back does a background check go?
How far back the results go depends on the type of search and state laws. Most employers use a seven-year lookback for criminal searches, though some states allow a longer period.
What is a national criminal search, and is it enough?
A national criminal search scans multiple databases and public records to identify potential criminal history across the country. While it is a useful starting point, it is not always complete on its own. Many records are maintained at the county level and may not appear in national databases.
That is why most employers combine a national search with county-level court records checks based on your address history.
Do background checks show sex offender registry results?
Yes. Most comprehensive background checks include a search of sex offender registries at the state and national level. These registries are maintained by law enforcement agencies and are considered public records.
If you are listed on any registry, this will appear on an employment background check. Reviewing your own report can confirm whether any registry entries exist and whether the information listed is accurate.
What is identity theft, and how does a background check help?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your social security number or date of birth, to commit crimes or open accounts in your name. If this has happened to you, criminal records or financial records that are not yours may appear on your background check report. Running a personal background check is one of the most effective ways to detect identity theft early.
If you find records that do not belong to you, you can take steps to dispute them and file a report with the appropriate government agencies and law enforcement agencies.
Can potential employers see that I ran a background check on myself?
A self-requested report is entirely separate from the one an employer orders. Hiring managers will not know you reviewed your own records unless you tell them. Running a check does not leave a mark on your criminal records or affect your report in any way. It simply gives you the same information employers will see, so you can review it, correct errors, and prepare for questions before interviewing.
What is the difference between a free background check and a professional one?
A free background check typically pulls from limited public records databases and may not include complete or current information. Many free services use outdated data, miss records at the county level, or fail to search all relevant jurisdictions based on your address history.
A professional screening from a company like KRESS searches the same databases and court records that employers use in the hiring process. While a free copy of your credit report is available from the major bureaus, a comprehensive report that includes criminal searches, address verification, and identity confirmation is worth the investment if you want accurate, employer-quality results.
Can I run a background check on myself in any state?
You can request a personal screening regardless of which state you live in.
If you'd like to run a background check on yourself, you don't have to do it alone. KRESS is one of the country's most trusted resources when it comes to background checks and pre-employment screening. Contact us today for assistance with a self background check today.