One of the most popular features over the years is their job board.
Popular with employers because it is free, and popular with job seekers because it had a good variety of jobs from around the state.
It made a curious switch requiring job seekers to set up an account to see jobs (see figure #2). Even more strange it now requires the job seeker's SSN number (see figure #1) to set up an account or see most jobs.
What is strange about what they did is that many job boards wanted job seekers to set up accounts back in the heyday of job boards because amongst other things they:
1. Could track demographics of job seekers to help sell the site to advertisers
2. Make a claim about how many job seekers looked at their site, once again good for selling the site
3. When job seekers set up accounts they usually left a resume in a database for companies. Bigger resume database meant another tool to sell to companies
Many of the job boards that required an account be set up before searching jobs dropped the requirement (Job Center now does see figure #3) back then and fewer do today because:
1. Search engines has made finding job listings easier on company sites
2. Aggregator sites like Indeed.com eliminated the need to go to several sites
3. Social media allows job seekers to pass jobs along to others without the need to go to a job board at all
The idea of setting up an account at a job board seems a little antiquated, so why does Job Center now require your SSN?
I looked around Job Center and it wasn't a change done by Job Center, but by the US Department of Labor (see figure #4). This is explained on Job Center and the USDL websites (see figure #5).
I'm not saying requiring a social security number to look for jobs is right or wrong, however I am surprised.
With all the safety concerns of identity theft and the reasons why people don't have to use job boards as stated above, adding a level of decision making (do I enter my SSN or not) seems like an unnecessary barrier to helping people find jobs and getting people to use your site in the face of higher competition.
Just my two cents.
Thanks!
Ev
FIGURE #2
FIGURE #4
FIGURE #5
Why We Need Your Social Security Number
Why do we need your Social Security Number?We use the number to create a unique record for every individual that we serve, and the Social Security Number (SSN) ensures that uniqueness. It helps us to provide you with information and programs specific to your personal needs. Your SSN is kept confidential. The numbers you key do not show up on the screen. A limited number of State of Wisconsin security officers, with our highest security clearance, have the ability to see the numbers once you key them. No one working at a Wisconsin Job Center has access to your Social Security Number.
JobCenterofWisconsin.com will not display your SSN to employers, nor will it be shared with other entities unless required by law.
What if I refuse to give you my Social Security Number?
You can refuse to supply any or all information asked for on the registration screens. You are not legally required to provide any of this information to use Job Center of Wisconsin. However, if you do not supply sufficient information to create a username and password for yourself, your ability to use JobCenterofWisconsin.com will be limited. A username and password gives you easy access to your job seeking and career management activities.
Tracking of these services by a unique identifier (such as Social Security Number) is required by the US Department of Labor.
http://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/jcw/help.htm#JSFAQssn
Q25: I am uncomfortable using my Social Security Number (SSN) to establish my account in the system. Is there any way I can apply for a position online without my SSN?
A: No. Your Social Security Number (SSN) is required in order to apply for a DOL job. Only HR Staffing specialists and Selecting officials will view your application information. Also note that DOORS runs on a private secure database, and DOL is the sole owner of the data. The system meets DOL's stringent security requirements.
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/doljobs/faq/index.htm#q25
I am so glad you are asking this question. Why are they making it more difficult to do job searches? They make it impossible for those who do not want to give them their SSN. It reminds me of how the insurance companies once used our SSN's as our policy numbers. Eventually, they did wise up, but it wasn't that long ago. I think Big Brother has gone too far with requiring us to give them our SSN's so they can 'track' us. Because that is exactly what they are doing. We have jobs, but like to keep a look out for other opportunities out there. Why do they think it is their business to monitor us? We aren't on unemployment and are not required to report our job search activities. How far do they think they can go with this kind of thing? I hope other people are concerned...and I hope they change this requirement. I am done searching on this site.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, there should be absolutely no reason to have to give your SS# until you actually want to apply for a job. I should not have to give it just to see the job listings, what few there are!
ReplyDelete