Ask Asa: Viewer Questions Answered
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From pension funds to proper resume formatting, today's job seekers are faced with a number of new and sometimes complicated responsibilities. NY1 Employment Reporter Asa Aarons has answers to some questions viewers are sending in.
Dear Asa,
I would like to ask you if it is legal for the job interviewer to ask for your Social Security number and bank account number? I know of someone who got turned down because of this.
Gene
In my opinion Gene, depending on when they asked him or her for those things, the person may have really lucked out by not getting the job.
Even though it was never intended to be a universal identification number, the Social Security number has evolved into just that. It's hard to do even a basic background check without a person's Social Security number.
In the hiring process, it is perfectly understandable for the company to ask permission to do background checks that require your Social Security number to complete. This is usually done around the second or third interview, when they made their decision and want to verify your background.
However, it is highly unlikely for a bank account number to be needed during the interviewing process.
It's entirely different after you are hired and you ask the company to set up direct deposit of your paycheck. That's a different activity with its own set of limitations to protect your privacy.
If you want to find out more about your privacy rights, check out the website of the non-profit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at privacyrights.org.
If you have an employment story, a job, a new interview technique, or something you want to share with those looking for work or those doing the hiring, contact Asa Aarons at askasa@ny1.com.