Problems And Risks With Internet Job Boards

You may think they’re the greatest invention since the local classifieds, but, there are fairly serious problems with internet job boards. Yes, they’re attractive. Yes, they even give you something to do while you’re sitting at the job you hate. In fact, though, internet job boards probably won’t give you the results that you’re looking for, and they may put you at risk as well.

One of the biggest problems with internet job boards is they’re simply not effective enough to bother with. Stacey Bradford of The Wall Street Journal went so far as to suggest that many postings are not even real, and the ones that are tend to be outdated. Because some employers use job boards as a way to simply test the waters, you may be applying for a job that doesn’t exist. Employers can, and often do, invent dream jobs to look through the talent pool.

While that may result in an eventual call, the chances are better that it’s just going to result in a wasted resume and cover letter. Alternately, you may be applying for a job that was filled weeks ago, and when you’re job hunting, you simply don’t have that time to waste. Worse yet is putting up your resume or responding to ads on internet job boards can usually result in no response.

During a typical job search, you can usually expect to get a note of acknowledgment that your materials were received and that they are currently reviewing them. However, because thousands of people apply for the same jobs every day on internet job boards, companies simply can’t respond to every single applicant. Many of them haven’t taken the time to set up an autoresponder to let you know that they’ve heard you loud and clear. Even if you try to follow up on your own, you may get lost in the sea of applicants.

It’s hard to get the names of people to talk to within the company because of current privacy rights. Should you finally get in contact with the company secretary, he or she is unlikely to disclose any information. That means the entire process is impersonal and cold, just like those internet job boards themselves.

While a lack of results is certainly something that can be overlooked in nearly any job search, one of the most serious problems with internet job boards just can’t be ignored. Identity theft is one of the biggest crimes on a worldwide basis today. Should an identity thief gain access to your information, not only could you lose money that you have, but your credit record may be damaged and you can expect to waste some of your time fighting to clear your name.

Internet job boards have their fair share of identity thieves. Because most internet job boards can’t totally control who posts for jobs, that small start-up company you just sent your resume and personal information to may actually be someone who intends to steal your identity.

In fact, Monster.com suggested in an e-mail to job seekers “regrettably, from time to time, false job postings are listed online and used to illegally collect personal information from unsuspecting job seekers.” While most other job boards haven’t suggested the same in those terms, all of them post disclaimers at their sites warning of the possibility.

Most internet job boards suggest at least the following to protect yourself: (1) Don’t transmit your social security number; (2) Never offer credit card information to a potential employer; (3) Keep your marital status to yourself; (4) If you’re applying for a job outside the United States, be careful. While most internet job boards suggest that identity theft reports as a result of using their site are rare, it is still ranked as one of the big concerns when using internet job boards.

If you’re currently looking for a job, it may be best to stick with more traditional methods until the job boards improve. You’re more likely to get a response of some kind, and at least you know exactly to whom you’ll be sending your personal information

To your success! Career Change Ideas.com