SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATING AND REGISTERING PERSONAL BACKGROUND DATA

A method of structuring a database provides access to a candidate's personal background data (which may be presented in a résumé), wherein the data have been authenticated, includes, in one embodiment, (a) establishing a data record, relating to the candidate's personal background data, in a digital storage medium, the data record having a unique identifier and including a set of verifiable components and a corresponding set of query results; (b) communicating the unique identifier to the candidate; and (c) permitting access to the data record by a person providing the identifier, so that the candidate has the power to grant third party access to the data record by communicating the identifier to the third party. Embodiments are operative over a network such as the Internet and include systems. Embodiments of the mechanism also facilitate interpersonal networking by allowing individuals to register themselves with a database of authenticated personal background data, which can later be searched by individuals and organizations seeking to find the registered individuals.