Protecting your Privacy

Most job seekers do not want their current employer to know they are looking for a job (of course, if you have been let go, this is not an issue). Most employers these days utilize job search sites for potential hires in order to reduce their recruiting costs. If you’ve registered with one or more search sites, there is a good chance your company may be using it as well. Some things to think about if you are concerned about your privacy:

Only register with search sites that allow you to post anonymously. This allows potential employers to see your qualifications without knowing who you are. If they have an interest in you, you will receive an email and be asked to respond. Be careful that if you cut and paste your resume that it does not include your personal data
Some sites allow you to block certain employers from searching your records. This comes in handy if your current role is so specific someone may know who you are
Create a special email (that does not include your name) for your job search
If a search site does not have an “anonymous” option, don’t register. You can (usually) still use their search function, then apply only for the jobs that interest you
Do not respond to a “blind” ad. This is an ad (online or otherwise) that does not provide the name of the employer

There are a number of interesting articles on this, some of which are linked below: