When you get hired for a job, it's standard practice for your new employer to do a background check. Whether it’s calling references, previous employers, or running a credit check - this is an established part of the hiring process. According to one recent study, 78 percent of organizations said they conduct background checks on at least 80 percent of new hires.

This trend holds true across most industries and companies - with one notable exception. “The only job in America you can apply for without having to go through a background check is running for office,” said David Doud, founder of Candidate Check.

Political candidates are not required to disclose or verify information about their backgrounds. As a result, the election process has become plagued with personal attacks and attempts to dig up damaging information from candidates' pasts. "October surprises come out during every election cycle," said Doud. "People get disappointed and lose faith in the process. These issues are not being disclosed early on and candidates' claims are not being verified."

With his company's new product - the Candidate Trusted Seal - David is trying to change this fundamental problem with the election process. "I have run for office twice. Both times I faced an opponent who had financial issues that went undetected in the traditional vetting process. These experiences made me wonder if there wasn't a better way to bring out facts in a campaign, from an objective, third party source."

Through NationBuilder's new integration with Candidate Check, you can now get third party verification of your credentials and easily add the Candidate Trusted Seal to your NationBuilder website.

First you authorize Candidate Check to conduct a background check and credential verification. You specify the aspects of you background you wish to have checked out - which can include employment history, military records, criminal background, and social media claims - and Doud's company performs the verification.

Once you approve the results, you can add the Candidate Trusted Seal to your website, moneybombs, and fundraising communications. The seal links to a secure document outlining the information that has been verified about you and the results.

NationBuilder Chief Organizer Adriel Hampton, who is Candidate Check certified, says the Candidate Trusted Seal provides a simple and independent verification of key details such as employment, education and professional credentials. Read more about Adriel's experience with Candidate Check here. You can also learn how to get verified in our Candidate Check trust seal FAQ.

This new tool gives candidates a way to verify that what they say about themselves is true and to use the Candidate Trusted Seal in their fundraising efforts. One study saw an increase in online transactions of 20 percent when a trust seal was displayed on the transactions page. Candidate Check allows candidates to put the personal aside so they can concentrate on the issues and keep the focus on why they are running for office.