Identity Theft
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Career Services urges W&J students to use the "wonders of the web" wisely and remain vigilant about the following:
Scam Alert - Providing Personal Information on Job Boards
Reports are circulating that identity thieves have been placing fake job postings on online job boards in an attempt to trick job seekers into giving out personal information. The perpetrators then contact those job seekers who have replied and ask for personal information, such as social security numbers and bank account information, supposedly for the human resources department. Students should be warned to never provide their personal information online.
-From the NACE - Spotlight Online - 1-22-04 issue
Alert - Facebook & blogs
Career Services also cautions you regarding any information you post on the Internet, whether in blogs or in Facebook. Potential employers & graduate school admissions officers can often view your information, including pictures. Access to this site can be gained through student interns, alumni, and others. Therefore, please know that anything you post online, including your personal information, is actually PUBLIC information and can be used against you. Be cautious about what is posted and use privacy settings to your advantage when using Facebook. Think about what your blog or profile says about you to an employer or graduate school.
The following is an excerpt from an article entitled, "Facebook users beware: Unsuspected Onlookers," by Michelle Martin. The article was featured in the Louisiana State University weekly newspaper.
"Facebook is not just for bored college kids anymore, and you might want to think twice about what you write. These online community forums (other examples include MySpace and ConnectU) are becoming popular tools that employers use to scope out potential employees. This method of assessment allows employers to find out about the 'you' that you don't hand to them in a black vinyl portfolio.
"Because the Facebook is a public Web site, the screening of potential employees' profiles is legal. There are ways of controlling who sees what on your Facebook profile. The Facebook's 'Terms of Use,' advises students to 'Use the privacy settings to your advantage.' You can make it more difficult for an employer to find your information by making your privacy settings more restrictive.
"The Facebook's 'Terms of Use' explain that "you can limit the people who can view your profile (or contact info) to friends or 'friends of friends.'" At many universities, campus officials are working to raise awareness of this new trend among employers. For example, Tufts University introduced the risks of the Facebook at their freshman orientation. According to Boston.com, '[they] encouraged students to omit detailed personal information from their profiles, such as dormitory room numbers and class schedules. Boston College plans to do the same next year, and Boston University has instructed residential advisers on offering guidance on Facebook matters.' Other universities are taking a larger role in their students' interaction with the Facebook. In October 2005, the University of New Mexico banned the Facebook Web site from its campus network."
Third Party Recruiters
Third party recruiters ("employment agencies," "temporary agencies," or "headhunters") are agencies, organizations, or individuals recruiting candidates for temporary, part-time or full-time employment opportunities other than for their own needs. When we post positions here, we have contacted the recruiters to be sure you will not pay a fee as the job seeker. During your own search, always be sure that the recruiters will not charge you a fee. Please note: We are not endorsing one agency over another by listing it here. We include the positions we have received, assuming they do not charge job seekers and that the work might be good experience for students/alumni.
