Uploading your resume to the wrong site could also mean handing over sensitive information about your location and work history to criminals, scammers, and fraudsters.
If you want to protect your privacy when applying for jobs, you’ll need to know what information to include on your resume and how to apply when ready.
Limit Contact Information
Providing businesses with some contact information is necessary. Otherwise, they won’t have any way to reach out if they want to interview you. However, providing too much contact information could lead to spam or other messages from scammers and other malicious actors.
You should limit the amount of contact information that you put on your resume. When you post your resume online, you lose some degree of control over it and how it may be used because you’re sharing it with the world. Hackers are getting even more creative, and it’s important to be aware of how you share your data.
For instance, if you’ve used a resume generator to create your resume, you should double-check to make sure that only necessary contact information is included. It’s quick and easy to create a resume from your LinkedIn profile, but the resume may include more information than you want to provide a recruiter. A quick review will help you spot unnecessary information.
To be extra safe, you can create a professional email address specifically for applying to jobs. Keeping this email separate from your personal email can protect you from spam and scammers—or, at least, reduce the amount of spam you receive through your personal email address. You can also use services like Google Voice to get a new phone number that you can use just for applying to jobs.
Cut Out Unnecessary Personal Information
Some jobseekers will include information on their resumes that doesn’t need to be there. Your social security number, date of birth, and exact address won’t help a business determine if you’re a good fit for a position, but is commonly included on resumes merely as tradition—but this info can be used by criminals if it falls into the wrong hands.
Before submitting an application, confirm you have removed all personal identifying information from your resume. Your SSN and date of birth are never necessary, and you can take them off your resume without any real risk. Including your date of birth, in fact, could open you up to age-based discrimination; some employers may rule out jobseekers that are particularly young or old.
Your location isn’t strictly necessary, though some employers may ask for it during the interview process. Some employers may want to know if you’re within commuting distance of a workplace. Remote employers might also need to know your time zone.
If you feel uncomfortable getting rid of your location entirely, consider including just your city and state, rather than your full address. You’ll provide employers with all the information they need without jeopardizing your privacy. A simpler resume will usually look better on mobile devices too—though you should still make sure your resume is mobile-friendly before submitting your application.
There are a few other types of personal information that don’t belong on your resume at all, but many include regardless, like a headshot or photo of yourself. In addition to risking your privacy, these elements can further make your resume seem cluttered and unprofessional. Remember, this is for employment, not social media.
Generally, shorter resumes are more eye-catching and easier to digest too, so sticking to the basic information, cutting back on anything unnecessary, means your resume is straight to the point. Cut out anything that may be irrelevant, such as redundant wording, your exact address, or a personal email.
Share Your Resume Carefully
Where you share your resume will also matter. If a site makes it easy for anyone to access your contact information, uploading your full resume there could expose you to scammers.
Many online job boards, like Indeed, have privacy and security features that help to protect your resume information from scammers. Relying on well-known sites and using provided security tools can help you keep your personal information safe.
In some cases, however, you will have to use a business’s site to apply for a site. If this happens, you should only apply if the job posting and site seem legitimate. Signs of site legitimacy, like a URL that begins with “https://” or has a padlock icon visible in the address bar, will help you tell if a site is not secure or is trying to steal your information. That’s applicable to any situation, not just when job searching; always check on a site’s credentials before adding personal data.
If an online application asks for particularly sensitive information (like your social security number), it’s a good idea to verify that the site is legitimate, reach out to the business directly, or look for another way to apply. Otherwise, your personal information could be at risk. Ask yourself why they would need such private details.
Only submit applications to businesses that you trust with your resume information and contact details. Under privacy and data protection laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), resumes should be handled carefully by prospective employers, but not every business will take care of your data.
Watch Out for Personal Details When Applying for Jobs
When reviewing your resume, be sure that you include just enough personal information. Too much information could risk your privacy—especially if you submit to a job board or business that doesn’t take security seriously enough. And companies hardly advertise lax attitudes to data retention. That’s why it’s a good idea to treat businesses as if they could compromise you.
Cutting out information like your SSN, date of birth, and exact address probably won’t hurt your chances of getting a job but will help you keep your identity and privacy safe.
