For the first time since record-keeping began in 1967, the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits has topped 5 million – the fifth straight week that claims have reached a new high – and the number of first-time claims hit 667,000, the highest level in more than a quarter-century, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

If you are one of the estimated 11 million men or women currently looking for work, I’m sure that you have paid for at least one of the following in an attempt to find employment: new clothes and haircut for an interview, a resume-polishing service, a job fair, an employment seminar, job information online, or a book on how to find work. Basically, you have tried anything and everything to stand out from the rest of the pack of jobseekers.

Have you purchased a "Personal Background Check" for yourself?

You may as well give yourself a background check before employers do, because you are most likely going to have a background check performed on you. According to the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), more than 96 percent of U.S. employers currently perform background checks to validate the identity and background of jobseekers and uncover any criminal history.

By giving yourself a personal background ground check, you are not only taking control of your own personal information – a good idea no matter what your employment situation is – but also telling prospective employers that you have nothing to hide. And if inaccurate information is discovered during a personal background check, a dispute resolution service helps you remove the discrepancies and keep your personal background check information current, secure, and accurate.

Personal background checks allow you to see EXACTLY what information employers will see BEFORE they see it, and will help you feel more confident and relaxed during the other portions of the pre-employment screening process, especially the all-important interview.

While most background check companies serve only employers, MyBackgroundCheck.com – one of the first consumer requested background check services and a member of The Pre-employ.com Family of Companies – specializes in personal background checks for individuals. Jobseekers interested in personal background checks for employment enhancement should visit http://www.mybackgroundcheck.com/jobseekers.aspx. For more information on other personal background check services, please visit www.MyBackgroundCheck.com, email info@mybackgroundcheck.com, or call 1-800-503-2364.