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In any job search, it is undeniably important to circulate
a resume. However, job seekers need to carefully minimize
privacy issues related to resumes while still maintaining
appropriate exposure to employers.
It is important for all job seekers to understand that
the resume databases of online job search websites vary
widely in privacy practices and controls. Learning to
choose a quality job search site and resume database with
good privacy practices has become an important part of
your job search if you plan to use the Internet as a job
search tool.
Another key skill is to discriminate between valid job
search related email and unhelpful solicitations for your
resume.
Remember, in the information economy, your resume has
a "street value." It is important to protect
your resume from people and businesses that want to use
it primarily to make a profit instead of primarily to
help you find employment.
Tips for Job Seekers Who
Use Online Resume Services
1. Even the most careful, conscientious sites cannot control
your resume after an employer or a recruiter has downloaded
it.
Job sites do not have the ability to track or physically
control how a recruiter or employer uses your resume after
it is downloaded. Most sites watch for problems —
such as rapid resume downloads — and enforce terms
of use agreements with employers and recruiters. But let
the job seeker beware. When it comes to resume databases,
some responsibility does fall to the job seeker to understand
the risks involved in posting a resume in a database.
2. The more general the email "job" offer,
the less valid it usually is.
Vague wording like "We have thousands of jobs"
or "We work with major companies" is a red flag.
Requests to send in a new copy of your resume can spell
trouble. Avoid vaguely worded offers, and avoid sending
your resume to general email resume solicitations after
you have posted your resume online.
3. Resume posting options for job seekers.
Job seekers have several options to choose from in
circulating a resume.
- One option is to reply to job ads directly without
going through a third party. Look for a company-related
email address to send your resume to.
- Another option is to post a resume directly on the
website of the company you wish to work for. Working
with one carefully selected "headhunter"
or recruiter is a great option.
- Some resume databases let you mask your contact
information or email address when you post a resume.
This resume posting option allows you to control who
contacts you. If you are going to post a resume online,
this should be the only way you post it.
4. Before posting a resume to any database, take
the time to look for and read the privacy policy of
that site and query the site owner with any privacy
concerns.
Be sure to look for specific privacy policy statements
about resumes, registration information, and statements
about how that information is used, stored, and shared.
If the site does not have a privacy policy posted, that
should signal that you should be especially cautious
about posting a resume there, if at all. Some websites
will post a "terms of service" agreement separate
from the privacy policy. Be sure to also read it carefully.
5. Pay particular attention to how long a site says
it will keep or store your resume.
Preferably, job and resume sites should state that they
promise to keep your resume for a limited, specific
amount of time, such as one to six months, after which
the site will delete your resume. Without specific,
written statements about how long your resume may be
kept, your resume can be archived for years, legally.
Most job seekers do not want resumes circulating after
they have gotten a job.
6. Before you post a resume, check to make sure you
can delete your resume after you have posted it.
Look in the job site's privacy policy for resume deletion
instructions. If you don't find instructions on the
site, email the site and ask how or if you can delete
your resume. If you are not satisfied with the reply,
do not post your resume to that site. You must be able
to delete your resume when you want to. After all, it
belongs to you.
7. If you plan on using a resume writing service
in your job search efforts, get an agreement in writing
that the service will not sell or share your resume
with any third parties or partners.
Also, ask to see the privacy policy of any resume writing
services you may use and ask specifically about how
the service handles and stores your resume. This applies
to traditional and online resume writing services.
8. Handling unsolicited email about your resume posting.
If you post a resume to a resume database and receive
unsolicited email other than from legitimate employers
or recruiters, be sure to notify the site where you
have your resume posted and tell them you have received
the email. Be sure to forward the entire email you received
to the site so that it can take action. Again, the more
vague the email, the less legitimate it is likely to
be.
9. Keep good records.
Be sure to keep a record of where you have posted your
resume. Remember to go back and delete your resume from
the sites where you have posted it after you have finished
your job search.
10. Post your resume sparingly.
It is tempting to go to every job site you can find
and post your resume. Focus on quality, not quantity.
If you believe you must post your resume online, hand-pick
just a handful of sites that have good privacy policies
and a good track record. Choose sites that other people
working in your profession have used satisfactorily,
and post only to sites that allow you to mask your contact
information.
11. Use a disposable email address.
If you decide to post your resume to a site that does
not allow you to mask your identity, then mask it yourself.
Use an email address that you can cancel if you start
getting spam, and don't give out your full name, phone
number, or home address.
12. Never put a Social Security number on your resume.
You can provide it when you are invited for an interview
or when the employer obtains your permission to conduct
a background check. Widespread access to your SSN puts
you at risk for identity theft.
13. Omit references on your resume.
When you post a resume online with your references'
names and phone numbers on it, you are giving their
information away without their consent in what can be
a very public forum.
14. Your resume belongs to you.
According to current copyright law, you own your resume
and the copyright on it. If you don't like how your
resume is being handled, you have the right to complain
and take action.
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