MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- With recent news about thousands of layoffs, people are rushing to launch their online job hunt, but job hunting online can be hazardous. Job seekers need to take precautions when choosing the resources they use for their job search.

"Not every job site is a safe place to post your resume. Some are inept, and some collect resumes to resell or use for other purposes," said Susan Joyce, Webmaster of the award-winning job search portal, Job-Hunt.org.

The five critical criteria are: 1. Have you heard of the site? If a site is unknown to you, or if you know about it only because of an e-mail solicitation, be cautious. Check the domain registration at http://whois.sc/. Type the domain name into the search bar, locate a phone number, and call to verify the site's validity. 2. Do you have to "register" before you can search listings? Be suspicious of a site that won't let you browse the job listings before you register a profile or resume. The site may be more interested in collecting your information than helping you. 3. Does the site have a comprehensive Privacy Policy? Be sure to read it carefully before you register. The privacy policy should disclose what information is collected and who sees it. Do not assume that a "privacy seal" (e.g. BBBOnline or TRUSTe) ensures your privacy is protected. It indicates only that the site should comply with its own published policy. 4. Who has access to the resumes? Selling access to the resumes can be a major source of revenue for a job site. Visit the "Employer" side of the site to see what is required for access to the resumes. A site that offers employers free access to resumes is not safe unless the job seekers' contact information and other personal identifiers are protected. 5. Can you limit the visibility of your contact information? The best sites provide you with options to block or restrict access to your contact information for privacy purposes. For the complete article, visit http://www.job-hunt.org/choosing.shtml.

http://www.job-hunt.org/ has been helping job seekers find jobs while protecting their privacy since 1999. It has received several awards including Forbes Magazine's "Best of the Web" and PC Magazine's "Best of the Internet."

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

CONTACT: Courtney O'Regan of Peter Arnold Associates for Job-Hunt.org,
+1-781-239-1030, coregan@parnold.com

Web site: http://www.job-hunt.org/
http://www.job-hunt.org/choosing.shtml