When To Investigate Yourself, Part 2
Looking into your own background prepares you to discover what others may find.
Researching “skeletons” in one’s own closet is part of a self-due diligence which we discussed in last month’s newsletter. This follow-up article outlines when you should prepare for explaining your past — during litigation or potential business partnerships.
What To Look For
Identifying Past Disputes
Instances when you have been accused of most anything in the courts – even when you believe you were on the right side of the conflict and the case ended in your favor – can be misinterpreted as negative against you.
- In other instances… Are you considered a litigious serial-plaintiff who sues people or companies on a regular basis? Have you sued companies alleging discrimination? Or have you been sued by someone who alleged discrimination?
- Although a divorce case at first glance might appear generic, often personal allegations are found deep inside the files, which you need to be prepared to explain.
Reviewing Your Resume for Slight or Unintentional Misstatements
Is your resume up to date and accurate? You may not have intentionally lied on your resume, but there could be slight inaccuracies that seem innocent enough but could reflect poorly on your honesty and integrity.
- For example, perhaps you held a professional license, such as a CPA license, but it has since expired. Your resume, however, may suggest that it is current. Or perhaps you completed a professional certificate at a college or university, but your resume suggests you graduated with a full degree. Maybe you worked in a specific role, but it was for a shorter period than your resume states.
- From checking titles to verifying credentials to reviewing work periods, these meticulous reviews ensure a more accurate resume.
Reviewing Instances Where Your Name is Mentioned in the Media
You don’t have to be the center of a major controversy for your name to be mentioned in media reports. The story itself may not even be about you. It could merely be a negative story, perhaps about layoffs, business closings, or legal issues. These stories may mention your name because you were in a position of authority or leadership.
Review Publicly-Available Financial History
- What is your financial history?
- Are there any liens, defaults, or bankruptcies?
- Have there been any legal judgments against you or the businesses you own and operate?
- Are you experiencing a tax liability?
- Are you extremely leveraged in a mortgage?
These are all financial issues that could be used against you in a legal case or potential business partnership.
Find Issues That Could Be Misunderstood Without Context
Sometimes, things simply need to be explained. Sometimes a piece of information looks negative, but when researched, it’s benign.
It’s common for opposing parties to look into a person’s background and find a mechanic’s lien from a contractor for tens of thousands of dollars. But the lien was merely filed as a preemptive routine step before starting the work; the bill may have been paid but the lien was never canceled.
Perhaps you registered an LLC and then canceled the company soon afterwards. Someone looking into this history would only see that it was canceled without understanding why you dissolved it and there was no business failing. Again, it looks negative on paper, but it’s a harmless story.
