There may come a point where you will have to resort to calling friends, family, neighbors, ex-employers and business associates or what's better known as asking around. The first thing to remember is be friendly and nice. Always speak to everyone in the most casual, non-threatening way possible. When you call ask for them like you expect them to be there. This way you can sometimes catch the person off guard and get a more honest response. Also don't use their entire name use their first name like you would expect them to be there and everyone should know them. If they are not there then act interested and helpful like you have great news and you need to talk with them about it. Don't act to anxious or you will receive no help at all. Some times you will get a response like "what is this about?!" Right there is a sign that you have found someone that knows something now your job is to find out what they know. If you are an old friend then explain that to them. Leave your contact number and don't push it any more. Let them contact you.

If it's an employer, whether it be current or ex-employer, you are calling ask to speak to the person as if you expect them to be there. If you are told they no long work there act surprised. Ask if they know where they currently work and how they can be contacted. Sometimes you can call the Human Resources Department and ask where their last W-2 was sent.

There is a limit to what you can find for free though so if you need more in-dept information or are having a hard time finding any information at all we do offer a very good people search software package.