are you supposed to put your social security number on a job application?

Question

my dad said just put the last 4 numberes becuse they could steal your identy but my mom says put the whole number

Answer 1

Only after you are hired, would the company need your social security number, your date of birth, and gender! Job applications can sit in recycle bins for days, if not weeks!

Answer 2

The vast majority of employers do not do pre-employment background checks on applicants - they are too expensive to do unless, as the employer, you have pretty much already made your decision as to who you want to hire. Then a few (usually in certain sensitive areas like people who have access to controlled substances, or who handle money, or work with children) will offer the job on the condition that you pass the background checks.

As for just proving eligibility to work in the US, though - I know of no employer who takes the time/effort to do that. In fact, under federal law (the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1984), the employer actually has up to three days AFTER hiring to document an employee's eligibility to work in the US - and the law does not apply to *prospective* employees. See www.dol.gov or www.ice.gov for more information (the US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has some enforcement responsibility for IRCA, as does the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

So, I would not put my whole SSN on an application - the employer doesn't need it, no law requires it, and identify theft is too ugly of a possibility to want to risk it. What you can do, though, is maybe put your last 4 and then write something to the effect of "complete SSN provided upon job offer" or something like that. That way, the prospective employer knows he/she can get it when they need it, and you aren't letting your personal ID sitting out there exposed for anyone who comes in contact with the job app (and there are A LOT - and not all desireable!) to potentially steal.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

many human beings placed all numbers except the first 3. This shows you're severe about the job yet to boot severe about identity robbery. once you get the job, then you definitely can tell payroll or Human factors of the first 3. this is a really universal practice now, and also you're sensible to be careful. That software will sift by quite a few hands.

Answer 4

' No Way would I ever put it on a job application. I told my daughter to only give them the answer "upon employment". And it worked. She got a great job and a 'kudos' for her discretion.
I say "Dad knows best". Sorry mom. You get points next time!

Answer 5

I usually put the whole number because they are checking your background and they will need your SSN. Sometimes, you have to carefully though. You are trying to get a job with a well known company/organizations I would use, if you are filling out application they will need all the numbers.

Answer 6

Put the whole thing on job applications -- the employer has to verify that you're a legal resident who is eligible to work in the US and they need your SSN for that.

If you're dealing with anyone or any business that you believe is potentially out to steal your identity, you've got no business applying for a job with them in the first place.

Answer 7

You have to put the whole number so they can verify that you are a US citizen and that they can do a background check on you if necessary.