In our search for the perfect job, career, or even our first job out of college, many people turn to the Internet as a source for personal marketing and promotion, a job search service, and a networking tool. Hundreds of thousands use job search programs like Careerbuilder.com; Monster.com and Yahoo HotJobs. Resumes are posted everywhere on the internet. Most college, business, company, or personal (for job seekers) websites provide a resume or some form of contact, background, employment, or educational information. University professors publish their curriculum vitae. Companies and medical professionals post their employment and educational information online to advertise their qualifications. But how secure is this information?
Privacy advocates, Better Business Bureaus and Employment professionals, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation have identified online fraud as one of the most common sources of identity theft. Both identity thieves and potential employers can use your information. Which do you want to have it?
Here are some examples of those who didn’t think identity theft could happen to them by posting their resume online:
“Jim” responded to an email request from a person who identified themselves as interested in Jim as a potential employee at a leading corporation in his field of expertise. He was asked for additional information, they told him, so they could quickly run a background check before going through the time and expense of more interviews. After responding with all the information the “company” requested, he followed up with a phone call only to find out that the number he was given had been disconnected. He contacted the company through his toll-free number and, after speaking with the human resources department, discovered that he had been the victim of a scam.
Three companies contacted “Candace” to request more information about jobs that seemed too good to be true. Suspicious of such good fortune, she investigated further and discovered that the information and techniques used to gather additional information from her were common methods used for identity theft.
NBA star Steve Smith and movie star Will Smith were victims of the same identity theft criminal.
An online resume is a ticket to the lottery, and in some cases, it goes directly to the bank to cash the winning lottery check. Resumes provide identity thieves with personal information such as: name, address, phone number, date of birth, schools attended and when, as well as references and your contact information. Some resumes even include height and weight.
The use of technology by potential employees and employers is a common practice. With all the information out there, with all the competition in the job market, how do you market and keep your information secure?
Do the following:
Rewrite your resume using a functional format.
Include a workplace.
Include education and work experience in general terms.
Create an anonymous job search email address, which does not use your name.
Use your cell phone number or even purchase a prepaid cell phone system while you do your job search.
Your investigation; make sure you know which online job sites are legitimate and safe.
Get it in writing: Print the license and privacy agreement before accepting it and posting your resume.
Professionally explain that additional information is available at the end of an interview or at another appropriate time after face-to-face contact.
Do not do:
Include your address.
Include dates of employment or graduation.
“Copy and paste” your regular resume into a comment section of an app or online service.
Provide references and contact information for references; it can put them at risk of identity theft.
Include: SSN, date of birth, home phone number or personal email address.
Give out your social security number, your mother’s maiden name, or any other information when approached by a “contact.”
Use technology for you, not against you. Install spyware and antivirus programs and use them. Report inappropriate contacts or applications to the job search site by email or contact us. Reset your cookies on your personal computer to reduce the chances of spyware, adware, or malware accessing your computer.
Keep track of your information, when and where it was sent. It will help you not only “eliminate” inappropriate contacts, but it will also help you present yourself professionally to potential employers.
Make your work or professional endeavors successful by protecting your information, presenting yourself warmly and professionally, and knowing your field and the world. By using the tips offered, you may not only land your dream job, but also keep your credit safe and enjoy all the money you’ll earn.