Are you a candidate with integrity?
Share your background check and be transparent.
Get the TIP Certification Seal.
So what are the real advantages to being TIP Certified?
- Show voters that you are who you say you are.
- If your opponent is not TIP certified, you can call them on it and/or use this on your campaign materials
- Show voters that the information on your resume is correct on the Internet or not correct!
- Reduce the stress of opposition research discoveries about you.
- Be proactive about anything negative in your background.
- Know that you’ve done the SAME background check as your opponent(s).
- Feel secure that voters know that you have integrity through your willingness to disclose.
- Feel superior to other candidates by increasing confidence that you’re a better choice.
- Have the feeling you’ve taken the “high road”, even if your opponent(s) have not.
As a candidate, here are my concerns about sharing my background check publicly:
1. Won’t this give my opposition dirt on me?
They are already hard at work doing their “opposition research.” While Peopletrail’s search can go back as far as 25 years, only the last seven will appear on the report that would be posted. This report is NOT a review of social media or interviews with anyone. But for sharing your background check report, you will get a free Social Media Check from Peopletrail that is confidential and is not shared with anyone but you. If you’re not willing to stand up to this scrutiny, my advice is “don’t be in politics.”
2. Won’t I open myself up to public criticism?
Again, considering how much the opposition will be digging on you, you’ll have an advantage getting out in front of it-be proactive, not reactive to mudslinging assertions.
3. The voters might find out about my youthful indiscretions. Isn’t this a problem?
Peopletrail’s court search can go back as far as 25 years. This can be very good information for you! But the actual report that is produced generally only goes back 7 years. You will be able to add explanations to items that need context. You are the one who gets to decide whether the report will be posted. Specific questions should be directed to Peopletrail.
4. What if there were extenuating circumstances regarding an unflattering item on my report?
You will have a chance to explain that in the report the public sees. Just let Peopletrail know that you’ll need extra space for that.
5. Won’t TIP know what’s on my report?
No, not until you share it publicly.
6. I have a professional license and have had a background check. Why would I need another one?
In our research, professional licensing agencies almost never do another background check after the initial license is issued. For instance, if you’re a judge, it might have been 30 years since a background check was run on you (when you were admitted to the Bar). The public wants to know that your record is still what it was. The same goes for candidates who are/were teachers, physicians, etc. applies. It’s important to get current information. Errors occur. You want to be sure that what’s out there is accurate.
7. I’ve already had a background check for the military/law enforcement. Why should I do another one?
First, how current is it? Some reports should not be relied on for more than a few months. The public does not understand the scrutiny involved in those kinds of background checks. If you want to increase voter confidence, do the TIP background check and post it to become TIP Certified. The Seal will tell voters about your willingness to disclose. You’ll also help them compare candidates since they can compare “apples to apples” with the same background check.
8. Can’t I do a background check on myself for a lot less cost and post it on my site?
Yes, you can, but its accuracy will not be guaranteed and there is no assurance for the public that it has not been altered. The TIP Seal shows that a background check by Peopletrail with guaranteed accuracy has been shared publicly on the TIP website. TIP only issues the Seal for background checks done through their site.
