Report: 2003 Job Search Privacy Study

2003 Job Search Privacy Study: Executive Summary

Roadmap: 2003 Job Search Privacy Study - Job Searching in the Networked Environment: Consumer Privacy Benchmarks: I. Executive Summary Job seekers, when applying for a job using electronic formats, experience less privacy and freedom than they do in non-electronic formats. In a mere decade, job searching has evolved from primarily a paper and file-cabinet affair to an arena that is nearly completely digitized. Resumes, no matter what the originating form — fax, email, or paper — are now scanned, sorted, shuffled, stored and datamined in a bewildering assortment of ways. This changed applicant process has, overall, not had a beneficial effect on the job seeker.

2003 Job Search Privacy Study: Principles of Fair Information Practices

The premise of this report and the analysis of site practices and issues in this report is based upon the canon of Fair Information Practices, particularly as expressed in the eight principles of Fair Information Practices outlined in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 1980 Guidelines. [5] These guidelines form the basis of most modern international privacy agreements and national laws. The principles were agreed upon by member countries, including the United States. These principles and guidelines are referred to throughout the report either as the principles of Fair Information Practices, or as the OECD guidelines.

2003 Job Search Privacy Study: Employment Application Kiosks and Sites

Employment kiosks – small, mobile ATM-like booths – are increasingly being used for screening job applicants. The booths are typically located in malls and at the front sections of retail stores. The booths allow job candidates to pull up a chair, answer a series of detailed questions, and apply for work in about an hour. No muss, no fuss, and no resumes are needed to apply.

2003 Job Search Privacy Study: Privacy Practices at Resume Writing Services

Resume writing services exist to help jobseekers create a portrait of their skills and work experience that is compelling enough to land the job seekers interviews for desirable positions. These types of businesses tend to be small one to 35- person operations. Data privacy has arrived in this corner of the job search universe; resumes containing rich data such as work history, name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and educational history are prime treasures in the data business. [44]

2003 Job Search Privacy Study: Suggestions for Employers and Career Counselors

Employers are an important part of the data privacy solution. As the controller of job ads, employers have a great deal of say in how those ads are managed and displayed to applicants. For their part, college career counselors, as a critical part of the interface in a student’s first professional job search, have a key educational role in the process.