Is It Paranoid to Use a Disposible Number to Look for Jobs?

StrayfireX on 23/02/2018 - 18:59

I don't know if I'm paranoid or not.

I worry that my real number will get spammed. I've been using my old number to sign up for things like pizza/tennis shop etc and it seems like I get SMS messages like "you're due for a dental checkup, you're due for an eye exam, discounted xyz" or calls from charity to donate $$.

Hence I am wondering, what does OzB think? Should I sacrifice a Vodafone SIM starter pack for my job hunt?

The main drawback is that my phone is only single SIM so I'd need to carry around my Voda Nokia 3310 3G.

Poll Options

  • 7
    No not paranoid, I'd search for a job with a disposable number
  • 1
    No not paranoid, but you will forget your second phone and miss out on job opportunites
  • 47
    Yes you are paranoid, I've never had an issue with spam from job hunting
  • 1
    Other/Give TA's phone number
Mobile

Comments

  • Halo375 on 23/02/2018 - 19:00
    +18

    I think you should be worrying more about your job applications than phone Spam.

  • FW190 on 23/02/2018 - 19:35
    +2

    depends on who you are giving it to.

    directly to employers/HR, why not? there is an off chance they might call you back later if a new opening/suitable position came up. They have better things to do then to spam you.

    But I would be really wary about giving your real number to random job ads on seek/gumtree.

    Probably should be wary about recruiters as well, on quite a few occasion, I jumped through all the hoops to prepare for an interview and all that, and in the end, they only wanted to sell me some training course, and they kept calling long after.

    • StrayfireX on 23/02/2018 - 19:41

      So what would you classify as a random job ad on gumtree/seek?

      I mean apart from the "model wanted for photoshoot" kind of ads?

      I was thinking of applying for casual/entry level jobs on seek/graduate employment sites.

      • FW190 on 23/02/2018 - 19:54
        +1

        things like commission only sales role, advertisers who are also one of those "training college", or anything that feels "off".

        if you are looking for a grad role (assuming you are applying directly with the employer), I don't see any issues in giving them your real number.

        casual work, you would probably be applying in person anyway.

        Anyway, best of luck :)

  • sane on 23/02/2018 - 19:41
    +1

    Job hunting is probably safe, but rental agents cannot be trusted.

  • outlander on 23/02/2018 - 19:48
    +2

    You cannot be too paranoid in this day and age. Its only a problem if the measures you're taking begin to really interfere with your life.

  • pennypincher98 on 23/02/2018 - 20:10
    +1

    I think it's all summed up quite nicely already but I'll add my 2 cents.

    It's perfectly normal to feel paranoid but I gave my (real) number out to quite a few places, people and companies/businesses.
    The only ever spam I get was from Career one, who wanted to sign me up to do a business course at my expense ($30000!!) to help me get a job. It wouldn't even be needed for the kinds of jobs I was chasing.

    Couldn't block them as multiple numbers, but I told them I had got a job and I wasn't interested and they (surprisingly) stopped calling me.

    • FW190 on 24/02/2018 - 00:18
      +4

      yeah they are bloody scum.

      I am in IT, and one of those recruiter tried to selling me Microsoft cert courses, promising I will find a job as soon as I have passed my exams.

      To that, I told him "I already have those certs you have mentioned, now can you find me a job?", the call ended pretty quickly after that.

      Obviously didn't even bother to read my resume before calling.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2018 - 20:40
    +1

    Stop applying for telemarketer jobs.

  • altomic on 23/02/2018 - 21:16

    are you paranoid enough?

  • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2018 - 22:47

    no wonder you dont have a job

  • Eeples on 23/02/2018 - 23:31
    +1

    Are you a get-away-driver ?

    If so, then no.

  • retiredfeline on 23/02/2018 - 23:48

    That's just the beginning. You should look into burner phones next.

    • StrayfireX on 24/02/2018 - 09:12

      Already have one :P

  • myusername on 24/02/2018 - 08:25
    +2

    better not give them your real name either as they may spam you on social media or linkden

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