How to Protect Your Identity While Job Searching?

When searching for a job, trust becomes crucial due to the extensive personal information you share in the process. Details about your career and personal life are disclosed to strangers, all in the hope of finding a great job. Consequently, protecting your identity is essential during a job search.

Unfortunately, job seekers are a potential target for identity thieves, who possess various ways to exploit this vulnerability. As a job seeker, it is wise to take precautions to safeguard yourself and understand how identity theft transpires. Nevertheless, while maintaining utmost care, it is imperative to present your achievements to potential employers in the best possible manner.

During the pandemic and post-pandemic era, online interactions have become more vital in job applications. Many employers utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS) to handle a large number of candidates and streamline the application process. However, in the worst-case scenario, ATS software could be susceptible to hacking—a compelling reason to limit the disclosure of personal information. To protect your identity when searching for a job, there are a few things you can do.

How to Protect Your Identity While Job Searching?

#1 Limit the Personal Contact Information

When creating a social media profile or sharing your resume online, it is important to limit the personal contact details presented. It is advisable to refrain from disclosing your home address publicly anywhere on the internet.

LinkedIn provides the option to include your email address and phone number as contact information. Especially during a job search, it is highly recommended to provide alternative contact details, such as a Gmail address.

#2 Sharing Your Resume

When searching for employment, it may often feel like a numbers game. Many believe that the more applications you submit, the higher your chances of securing an interview. However, being discerning about where you choose to upload your resume is a wise strategy to safeguard your privacy throughout the job search process. Seek out reputable websites that have a clearly stated privacy policy. Thoroughly read and understand the policy, and check for a privacy seal such as TRUSTe or BBBonline. It is far better to identify a few reliable platforms to showcase your resume rather than inundating poorly managed ones.

#3 Use a VPN

With a VPN for Safari, you can protect yourself from tracking. All companies try to track us using the IP address to identify the user. With VeePN you can hide your real IP address and protect yourself from harassment. Plus, a VPN can also protect against data interception.

#4 Be Smart About Security

Reputable job sites go beyond creating a password and require you to answer multiple security questions for identity verification. An ideal password should have a length between 12-15 characters.

Consider the following password tips:

• Be unique. Avoid using personal information such as your birthday, pet's name, or the name of a character from a popular TV show. Instead, opt for something unexpected like the name of your favorite specialty sandwich or the hotel you stayed at in Nicaragua.
• Diversify your passwords. Using the same password for multiple sites increases your vulnerability to hacking.
• Sprinkle special characters throughout your password, rather than just at the beginning or the end.

#5 Limit Social Media

When searching for employment, it can be tempting to rely on your network for job opportunities and support. Nonetheless, it is crucial to exercise caution when informing others about your job search while still working for your current company. Employers can easily access your social media accounts and if they discover that you are seeking new employment while still employed, they may choose to terminate your employment prematurely. To ensure your safety, exercise discretion when sharing information with your network on social media.

#6 Be Wary of Scams

Scammers often employ unsolicited emails, posing as employers, recruiters, or job boards, to deceive individuals. When was the last time you received a job offer out of the blue? Scammers scour the internet for personal information, preying on unsuspecting job seekers. It is crucial to educate yourself about common job scams. If a job description appears too good to be true, it likely is.

Before clicking and applying, ensure the authenticity of the recruiter or employer's social media account. Conduct an online search of the employer or recruiter's name. Job offers promising significant earnings for minimal effort are typically scams aimed at collecting your information. Common online job scams include data entry, envelope stuffing, rebate processing, wire transfers, work-from-home opportunities, shipping management, and craft assembly.

The structure of an email can serve as a major red flag. Many scam emails display poor writing quality. If an email contains spelling, capitalization, punctuation, or grammatical errors, it is often a telltale sign of a scam. Pay attention to capitalization, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. Scammers frequently attempt to mimic legitimate companies by using similar imagery. If something appears suspicious, delete it and refrain from downloading any attachments or clicking on links from such emails.

Conclusion

In the digital age, job search protocols require a unique level of protection. It is essential to take steps to protect your identity when searching for a job. By following the tips above, you can stay vigilant and safeguard your data while in pursuit of employment opportunities.

To Apply simply click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete the online form including attaching an up-to-date CV.