Job hunters need to guard reputation

When you’re job-hunting you go to great lengths to stand out among the hundreds — even thousands — of applicants for a single open position. But while you’re working to catch an employer’s eye, have you considered the importance of protecting your information from unwanted attention? Or the need to manage the online reputation you do want employers to see?

Searching online can be a great way to find your dream job, but it also requires you to take extra precautions to protect your personal information and to manage your online reputation. Enterprising identity thieves and scam artists may take advantage of personal, identifying information posted on job boards and online resume sites. And with social media making potentially embarrassing information and images widely available, it’s important for job-seekers to manage what potential employers may find if they were to perform an online search of a candidate’s name.

When you post a résumé on a job board, the information is usually public and viewable by anyone who wants to see it. Some websites allow you to control what is viewable and who can see it, limiting access only to potential employers who have registered with the site. Others do not restrict who can access resumes. It’s important to know the privacy policies and settings of any employment website where you will post your résumé or apply for jobs.

Consider how much personally identifying information you will share. Information such as your name and past work history may be essential, but keep in mind that no potential employer should ever ask for your Social Security number or financial information during the initial phases of your interaction.

— Brandpoint