Should You Put Your Social Security Numbers on Job Applications?
One of our New Start Career Network job seekers recently expressed concern because she was asked for her Social Security number on a job application and wondered if it was a scam.
Some employers do ask for Social Security numbers on their online job application forms. Why? Some companies use Social Security numbers as a unique identifier in their database. Others use it for credit or security checks. State laws don't necessarily prohibit companies from asking for the number. (In fact, some States actually ask for Social Security numbers on their own job application forms.)
Job seekers should always be wary of giving out their Social Security number and take precautions before giving out personal information. Here are some articles with advice on the subject:
For more valuable job seeker resources, please visit theNSCN website.
Please feel free to contact us with questions at [email protected] or by phone at 848-932-1756.
Maria and Chris
Major funding for the New Start Career Network was contributed by the Philip and Tammy Murphy Family Foundation. Additional support was provided by New Jersey Resources, The Fund for New Jersey, the AARP Foundation, DirectEmployers Association, the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Rutgers Career Services-New Brunswick, the Rutgers Alumni Association, and New Start New Jersey.
