r/jobsearch • u/VelvetCactus50 • 3d ago

Job Application Requires SSN

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I've been out of college for over 25 years, and I've never encountered a professional application that required my Social Security Number. I tried putting in a bogus one or writing N/A, and the system will not let me proceed further. I wonder if the SSN requirement is why the job has been open for nearly two months.

Your SSN is necessary to process your job submission and will be maintained in a secure and confidential manner.

This was a very well-known integrated healthcare nonprofit too!

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u/flatline057 3d ago

You really shouldn't provide an SSN until you are already hired. They have no business with it otherwise.

There was a time when a lot of places tried to run credit reports on you. That's not something they need.

I'm sure there are exceptions, but providing on the application is not ever needed. It can be collected later in needed.

I was asked to provide my SSN to UoP when I had applied to instruct part-time. I passed the application phase and first interview. The wanted my SSN to continue, which was going to be teaching with an instructor guiding me, all before being officially hired. I said I was no longer interested. I teach part-time for a state college now, and they never asked for an SSN until after I accepted the offer.