Protecting your social security number during a job search - Sterling Career Concepts

Protecting your social security number during a job search Protecting your social security number during a job search I was speaking with a client last week who asked me about providing your social security number on a job application. Its a common concern so I wanted to share our conversation here. We all know better than to share our social security number in our day to day life, and your job search is no different. When my client encountered the question on an online job application, she responded will provide later and I could not agree more. There is no reason to provide a social security number up front in the process. There may be an occasion to provide later in the process if you indeed are receiving an offer and need to go through a background and credit check, but until that time, there is no valid reason to release that number. Likewise, do not share your date of birth, drivers license number, or bank account information. These facts should never be listed on a resume, CV, or cover letter, nor should you ever provide them to an employer in any online or paper application. I can relate to job seekers feeling stressed in a competitive market and wanting to please the employer, but never feel bullied or pressured into providing personal information. No job opportunity is worth leaving yourself susceptible to identity theft. Opting to not provide this information at the onset should not have a negative impact on your candidacy. So, please, guard those 9 digits as closely as you do in any other situation. If and when you are ever asked to provide them at a later date, question the validity of the request at that time as well, and if you do elect to provide the number, do so carefully on a secured corporate website connection, in person, or over the phone. Never through email.