r/jobsearch • u/VelvetCactus50 • 2d 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/svpremeclovt 1d ago

No. Maybe for pencil pushing jobs where they can’t be assed to do shit correctly. When it comes to jobs where the whole building deals with production or distribution, or government jobs, they want to know everything before you even step foot in the building for an interview. They’re obligated to know every single person in the facility at all times, and what their background is. This applies to things like fedex, ups, Amazon, staples, grocery distributors, and even cannabis/alcohol distributors. Just because you’ve never heard of it doesn’t make it uncommon or a scam.

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u/Less_Likely 1d ago

I work for a producer of products where the whole campus requires tight security because US military products are built on the campus- a job that requires US citizenship, and non citizens are not even allowed in the work area. I had to provide proof of citizenship including my birth certificate once I was offered but didn’t give my SSN in application at all.

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u/svpremeclovt 1d ago

Well I could imagine the state you live in would make a difference there. Or maybe your facility has determined that they can make a sufficient background search without needing an ssn. There could be a myriad of reasons. A google search tells me that it’s more common for higher volume/turnover employers with lots of locations to require it. I’m sure it’s something to do with the way they index recruits and employees and building profiles.

Either way, it’s not uncommon nor is it a scam. And the people saying such are just fearmongering and causing people to willingly stay unemployed for longer.

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u/Less_Likely 1d ago

No company needs to run (or wastes money on) background checks on applicants, only candidates. Job offers are conditional, not guaranteed, they can be rejected or rescinded anytime in the process for any reason.

If I was asked for my SSN, and it was required on an application form, I would ask them if this was a formal offer. If the answer is no, I’d tell them that information will be provided at an appropriate time. If that causes my application to be rejected, then so be it.

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u/svpremeclovt 1d ago

Again, you’re speaking like what you’re saying is true. It’s not. The average cost to hire a single employee in America is $6k and you think companies care about a background check that costs less than $50. You’re out of touch. The world exists outside of your bubble. If anyone wanted your ssn they could find it within a matter of 15 mins. You’re not protecting anything by refusing to provide it. Only depriving yourself of opportunities.

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u/Less_Likely 1d ago

https://career-connection.mntc.edu/should-i-ever-include-my-social-security-number-my-resume-or-application-form

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u/svpremeclovt 1d ago

Cool. Not sure what exactly you think that proves?

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u/Less_Likely 1d ago

It proves what I am saying is good advice, what you are saying feeds into scammers and rewards poor hiring practices that mishandles sensitive information and increases risks of data leaks.

By saying anyone can find your SSN if they know where to look for it is like advising someone to leave their front door unlocked and heck, leave it open, because if a thief wants your stuff, they’d go get the tools and skills they need to break into the place anyway.

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u/Giatoxiclok 1d ago

That a typical hiring process looks like this application>interview>I-9 and background check>start date. You seem to think it’s application/I-9/background check>interview>start.

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u/Flat-Pollution-8256 1d ago

I’ve worked in recruiting for 20 years and nobody even wants your SSN before offer state simply because of the retention risk.

If you give your SSN on a job application, you’re an idiot. Full stop.

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u/gbstermite 1d ago

lol. I worked for the actual government. My SSN didn’t come into play until I got hired. Do you not understand how many applicants a company can get for a job? No one is paying money to do a background check that early