Avoid Identity Theft When Posting Online Resumes

Identity theft has become a major issue in recent times, especially with so much business being handled online. While many websites are secure, thieves are particularly savvy when it comes to hacking into sites, initiating phishing scams and utilizing other means to take your information and assume your identity.

When conducting a job search online, you run just as great a risk of having your identity stolen as you do if you give out your credit card information to an Internet retailer. So let's take a look at a few ways that you could avoid being the victim of identity theft while submitting your resume online.

Remove Personal Information from Resumes

One great way to stop thieves from stealing your personal information is to avoid adding it to your resume in the first place. In this day and age, it's really not necessary to add your address and home telephone number to your resume since much of the communication is handled via email. So you could easily get away with simply adding your name, email address and a cell phone number. If you need to add an address, a P.O. Box would work just fine.

Take Advantage of Privacy Settings

Many major sites that specialize in offering resume help by posting yours online provide site settings that help you determine who is actually able to see your resume. So before you actually post it, check out the site's privacy settings to make sure the only people who are able to see your resume are the ones you specifically designate to do so.

Apply Directly with Companies When Possible

Of course, job boards are very useful in helping employers find you. But to increase your level of security, it's a good idea to use job boards sparingly because so many people have access to your information through them. Instead, it's a good idea to simply apply directly with companies whenever possible.

Having your identity stolen is a pretty devastating experience that could haunt you financially and emotionally for many years. To help stop this from happening to you, it's good to take every precaution to make sure your resume is secure.