> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.staffer.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Claiming your profile

> Why a Staffer profile might already have information about you, and how to confirm it's really yours.

If you're active professionally, there's a good chance a profile already exists for you before you ever sign up, built from public sources. Signing up means claiming it, not creating a new one from scratch.

## How claiming works

Staffer checks your sign-in email against existing profiles. If it finds a clear match, it's confirmed automatically. If not, you'll be asked to connect your LinkedIn or search by name to find the right one.

## Why the method matters

Connecting an account you're signed into is the strongest form of proof. A plain email match is treated as strong too. If neither is available and you assert it's you without one, that's recorded as a weaker claim, which matters mainly for identity verification later, for instance when you request account erasure.

## Starting from nothing

No matching profile anywhere, no problem. You can build one from scratch instead.

**Next:** [Signing in](/candidates/signing-in)