Free Career and Job Search Advice

Katja144 · Expert Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 177 Career Advice: +2/-0

Do you put yours on, or not? Everything I've read on the 'net about identity security says "just say no" to putting your SSN on job applications, but I have a feeling that writing "will provide upon offer of employment" in that little area has cost me not getting phone calls. (and applying online, usually you can't withold it--either you fill in the section with a series of numbers, or it won't let you go on with the application, period--and I've seen online applications that expect me to submit my SSN yet aren't even encrypted!)

Yet I don't especially trust most places to keep that secret--esp. in many of the places I've had to apply at, where you fill out the app, take it in, hand it to a random employee, who may look it over and/or set it down just anywhere that anyone can get a look at it to wait until it reaches a supervisor, etc.

(That, and I feel it's none of their business--if they want to know if I'm legally able to work in this country, I will show them my birth certificate. But I don't understand why so many employers want to see your credit report--what does what bills I've had and how I pay them that have to do with employment? They are paying ME money, I should ask to see THEIR financial records, not the other way around!)

What does one do in a world where they're caught between the rock of not wanting the risk having their identity stolen, and the hard place of possibly not getting a job because the prospective employer gets pissed that there's no SSN on the application?

Kellie · Guest

ACRNYC · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:24 pm Post subject:

I agree with Kellie. They usually use the SS# as an identifier in ther database systems, but it's not necessary, as they can generate a dummy one themselves.

The thing to remember is that these applications stay on file for years, usually. So the people who are handling your paperwork now are not necessarily the same ones who'll be handling it 6 months from now. This is especially true in staffing firms, where turnover is especially high. And most of the records are not kept in locked or secured filing cabinets, so even cleaning staff can access them.

They don't need it until they have to put you on the books for a paycheck, so until you are formally hired, politely decline to furnish it.

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