Posting an Online Resume

Use caution when selecting resume

A resume informs potential employers about your employment
background and education experience.

posting sites or when responding to job ads. Any personal information you post online, or send in a hard copy resume, can be used in the wrong way and invade your privacy.

• Your identity can be stolen.
• You may receive spam

  Mass mailing over the internet by sending promotional
  messages to practically everyone whose email address
  is known, without asking for anyone’s permission.
  

  
  
   

  and unwelcome mail.
• Head-hunters or job recruiters can receive commission for selling your information without your permission or knowledge.
• Your resume may be widely distributed to people and places you don't approve of.
• You may be forced to reveal too much personal information.

Review the following criteria before selecting a resume posting site:

• Read the fine print in their privacy policy.
• Be certain your resume will not be sold or sent to other sites.
• Select sites that do not require personal information such as your name, address, Social Security Number

  A number which is assigned by the government to people
  in the United States of America, for purposes of the
  Social Security System. Each person is assigned a
  unique number, which is also used in some situations
  as an identification number.
  

  
  

  
  

  (SSN), date of birth (DOB), personal e-mail

  A system for sending messages from one individual
  to another via telecommunications links between computers
  or terminals.

  address, or phone number to appear on the posting.
• Select only a few sites, preferably ones covering jobs related to your field and in your geographical location.
• Keep track of where you post your resume online. Include information, such as the web

  Short for World Wide Web (WWW), which is a collection
  of internet resources, hyperlinked text, audio and
  video files and remote sites that can be accessed
  and searched by browsers based on standards such as
  HTTP and TCP/IP.
  

  
  
   

  address and site name, in a job search folder.

When you post your resume online, do NOT include your references to protect their privacy. You can simply write on your resume that references are available upon request. By doing this, you can avoid potentially releasing your references' information to the public and losing permission to use those people as references.

If you are currently employed, be aware that your employer may be looking through resume posting sites, and it is possible to be fired if you are seen as disloyal. Guard against this possibility by not providing your personal information or listing the name of your current employer. Never list the company phone number, address, or e-mail address.

If you receive replies to your online resume, make certain it is from a legitimate business and do not provide ANY personal information or send any money.