Writing Samples, Background Checks, and the movie Psycho

          Ok, so a few months ago, I apply to this copywriting job. They want me to turn in a writing sample titled "How Background Checks Can Save Your Life." So I turn this writing sample in, and I think it's pretty good, but regardless, I didn't get the job. But instead of letting this writing sample go to waste, I'm gonna post it here for you all to read. Doing a background check using an online website isn't a subject matter I usually write about, so I was afraid the sample wouldn't turn out that well. But surprisingly, it turned out well, and maybe even a bit humorous. I liked it. Maybe you will too. Check it out:

How Background Checks Can Save Your Life

Have you ever seen the 1960 horror film Psycho, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Janet Leigh? In this movie that received four Academy nominations, a young secretary named Marion Crane goes to an isolated motel after embezzling money from her former boss. What Marion doesn’t realize is that the owner of the motel, Norman Bates, is a mentally unstable man with a split personality, who sometimes assumes the persona of his dead mother. “Mother,” as Norman refers to her, has jealousy issues and tends to kill women whom Norman feels attracted to. While Marion is undressing in her motel room, Norman watches her through a peephole. When she begins showering; Norman, dominated by the Mother persona, stabs Marion to death with a large kitchen knife.

            Had Marion done a background check on the Bates Motel before checking into a room, the story would’ve gone differently. She may have found some disturbing information about his past and decided not to stay the night there. She would’ve driven away to her final destination unharmed, although the movie wouldn’t have gotten the same critical acclaim. This is a perfect example of how background checks can save lives.

            Although Psycho is a fictional story, there are real life scenarios that fit the category of horror. Just look at Ted Bundy; a man that gave the impression of being charismatic, attractive, good-natured, and well-educated. He turned out to be a serial killer that was able to charm women into trusting him before he took them somewhere secluded, and assaulted them. If any of these ladies had done a background check on him before taking a romantic drive into the woods late at night, his body count would’ve been a lot lower, and he would’ve been imprisoned earlier. Then there’s the story about the young woman in South London who went on a date with a “nice” man she met off the dating site Plentyoffish.com. The “nice” man, now known as the convict Peter Ramsey, turned out to be not-so-nice after all. At the end of the date, Ramsey walked the woman home. When he attempted to kiss her, she refused, and he snapped. The woman suffered severe injuries, and much more. But had she done a background check on Ramsey before agreeing to meet up with him, she would’ve seen that he had convictions for shoplifting and assaulting police.

            There are many benefits to background checks. As Ramsey’s date found out, it’s always a plus to check out the past of a potential romantic candidate to make sure they’re not hiding certain character traits that would make them a less than desirable date or mate. Or if a parent needs to find a babysitter for their pride and joy, and couldn’t get a family member or friend to do it; they can rest assured through conducting a background check that their little one is left in good hands. Background checks are useful for both property owners looking for potential renters, and people who are looking for an apartment to rent or a hotel to stay at. When an investor needs to find a reliable investment broker who they can trust with their hard earned money, a background check can help protect their interests and alert them to any issues.