Privacy Policy - Step and Grow

Updated on February 28, 2025.

Introduction and Summary

At Step and Grow, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive insights into job opportunities. Our official platform, https://stepandgrow.com/, serves as a valuable resource, offering job listings, interview preparation guidance, and industry analyses to assist users in navigating the job market effectively.

Safeguarding user privacy is a fundamental priority. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, process, and protect any personal information shared with us. Our commitment is to uphold security, confidentiality, and responsible data management in alignment with applicable privacy regulations.

For any questions or clarifications regarding this Privacy Policy, we encourage users to review this document carefully to understand their rights and available options. If further assistance is needed, our team is available through our official contact form at https://stepandgrow.com/contact to provide support and address inquiries.

Scope of the Privacy Policy

This policy defines how Step and Grow manages personal data collected through interactions on our official website at https://stepandgrow.com/ and other designated digital platforms that expressly reference this Privacy Policy.

The provisions set forth herein apply exclusively to online activities and govern the handling of data collected from individuals engaging with our website and services. This Privacy Policy does not extend to information obtained offline or through channels unrelated to our website or authorized digital platforms.

Consent

By accessing and using Step and Grow, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use, available at https://stepandgrow.com/terms.

If, upon reviewing our policies, you determine that they do not align with your preferences or expectations, we recommend discontinuing the use of our services. Your continued engagement with our platform constitutes explicit consent to the data collection, processing, and protection practices described in this Privacy Policy.

I. Data Collection Practices

A. INFORMATION DIRECTLY COLLECTED FROM YOU

Step and Grow allows visitors to explore publicly accessible sections of our website without the need to provide personal details. However, certain exclusive content and restricted resources may require user registration. During this process, we may collect specific personal information, which may include, but is not limited to:

Name.
Email address.
Phone number.
Physical address.

This information is gathered to verify user identity, whether as an individual or a legal entity, and to customize content delivery for a more personalized user experience. By collecting this data, we aim to align our services with your preferences and needs.

Additionally, when users contact us with questions, feedback, or support requests, any personal details shared in those communications will be used exclusively for administrative purposes—such as responding to inquiries, resolving issues, and enhancing our platform’s functionality.

B. AUTOMATICALLY GATHERED INFORMATION

Beyond the data voluntarily provided by users, Step and Grow automatically collects certain personal and non-personal information when visitors interact with our website.

This includes digital identifiers such as:

IP address.
Browser type and version.
Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Timestamps of access.
Browsing patterns and website interaction data.

This information is collected through log files and is used to analyze website performance, enhance user experience, and improve content and marketing strategies.

To optimize functionality and offer a more customized browsing experience, we employ Cookies and Web Beacons. These technologies help in delivering relevant content, streamlining navigation, and improving overall website usability.

Users have the option to manage Cookie preferences through their device settings. If Cookies are not disabled, continued use of our website constitutes consent to their application.

C. DATA FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES

As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive job market insights, Step and Grow may display third-party advertisements and promotional content relevant to user interests. When engaging with these ads, certain data—such as IP address and browsing behavior—may be shared with Advertising Partners through technologies like Cookies, Web Beacons, and JavaScript. This data is used to analyze ad performance and refine targeted promotional content.

Users can control tracking technologies through device settings, as Step and Grow does not govern third-party tracking tools.

Engaging with advertisements on our platform does not establish a direct relationship between users and the respective Advertising Partners. This Privacy Policy strictly applies to interactions within Step and Grow’s platform and does not cover data collection practices of external services.

Certain Advertising Partners, such as Google, may use technologies like DART Cookies. Users who wish to opt out of DART Cookies can find further information in Google’s Privacy Policy.

For additional details regarding data collection and privacy policies of other Advertising Partners, users are advised to review their respective privacy policies on their official websites to understand how they collect, process, and manage user data.

II. Purpose of Data Usage

The information collected through Step and Grow serves multiple essential functions, all designed to improve user experience and ensure the seamless operation of our platform. The primary objectives of data processing include:

Ensuring platform stability and functionality – Your data allows us to maintain the efficiency, reliability, and overall performance of our website, ensuring a smooth and user-friendly browsing experience.
Enhancing and personalizing platform features – We continuously optimize content, layout, and interactive elements to better reflect user preferences and evolving needs.
Analyzing user behavior and engagement – By assessing how visitors interact with our site, we refine content strategies, improve website performance, and enhance overall usability.
Developing new tools and services – Insights gathered from user activity help us innovate and implement new features and functionalities aligned with emerging trends and technological advancements.
Providing direct communication and assistance – We may use collected information to respond to inquiries, offer customer support, share platform updates, and provide relevant marketing materials, either directly or through trusted partners.
Delivering tailored email communications – Based on user interests, we may send newsletters, promotional content, and other updates related to job market insights and platform services.
Strengthening security and fraud prevention – Safeguarding user data is a key priority. We actively monitor activity to detect and prevent fraudulent actions, ensuring the security and integrity of our website.

Each use of collected information is guided by our commitment to transparency, security, and user engagement, ensuring that data is managed responsibly and in alignment with best practices.

Cookie Policy for Step and Grow

Welcome to the Cookie Policy of Step and Grow, available at https://stepandgrow.com/. This document outlines the role of cookies on our platform, the types of data they collect, their intended purpose, and the options available for managing your cookie preferences.

Understanding Cookies

Similar to many professional websites, Step and Grow uses cookies—small text files stored on your device—to enhance your browsing experience. These files allow us to retain information related to your interactions with our platform, ensuring a more efficient, customized, and user-friendly experience.

This Cookie Policy provides details on:

The type of data collected through cookies.
How cookies contribute to website functionality and performance.
The necessity of certain cookies for core website operations.
How you can manage or disable cookie settings.

Please note that restricting or disabling cookies may limit certain features of our website, potentially affecting site performance and altering your overall user experience.

How We Use Cookies

Cookies play an important role in improving the functionality of our platform and optimizing user experience. The key purposes of our cookie usage include:

Website functionality – Some cookies are essential for core website operations, ensuring key features function properly.
User experience enhancement – Cookies help store preferences, personalize content, and maintain user settings, offering a seamless and familiar browsing experience.
Engagement analysis and performance tracking – We utilize cookies to gain insights into user behavior, website traffic, and popular content, allowing us to refine services and improve usability.
Security and fraud prevention – Certain cookies help detect and mitigate fraudulent activities, ensuring a safe and secure browsing environment.
Advertising and marketing optimization – Cookies allow us and our advertising partners to deliver relevant content and evaluate the effectiveness of promotional campaigns.

Because there is no universal way to disable cookies without affecting key website functionalities, we recommend keeping them enabled unless you are certain they are unnecessary for your browsing experience.

Managing or Disabling Cookies

Users have full control over how cookies are managed on their devices through browser settings. Most browsers provide options to:

Modify cookie preferences.
Disable specific cookies.
Delete stored cookies.

Instructions for adjusting cookie settings can typically be found in your browser’s Help section.

However, restricting cookies may impact not only Step and Grow but also other websites you visit. Blocking cookies may result in loss of saved preferences, automatic logins, and customized content. Before disabling cookies, ensure that you fully understand how this may affect your browsing experience.

The Cookies We Set

Step and Grow employs various types of cookies to facilitate website functionality and enhance the overall user experience. Below is an overview of the key cookies utilized on our platform:

Account Management Cookies

When users create an account on Step and Grow, cookies are used to manage the registration process and facilitate site administration. These cookies help retain essential account-related information to ensure a smooth sign-up and onboarding experience.

While most account-related cookies are removed upon logout, some may remain active to preserve user preferences for future visits.

Login Authentication Cookies

To enhance navigation and provide seamless account access, we use login-specific cookies. These cookies prevent the need to repeatedly enter credentials while browsing different sections of our website.

For security purposes, login-related cookies are typically cleared upon logout to prevent unauthorized access to protected content.

Email Subscription Cookies

If you subscribe to newsletters or other email communications, cookies help manage your subscription settings and preferences. These cookies ensure that email updates are relevant and personalized based on your engagement with our platform.

Survey and Feedback Cookies

From time to time, Step and Grow conducts surveys and gathers user feedback to improve our services. Cookies related to surveys help:

Track participation status to prevent users from receiving duplicate survey invitations.
Ensure response consistency across different sections of the website.

Form Submission Cookies

When users submit information through contact forms, comment sections, or inquiries, cookies may store input details to facilitate future interactions. This prevents the need to re-enter the same information, ensuring a convenient and efficient communication process.

Customization and Preference Cookies

To personalize the browsing experience, our website allows users to set display preferences, language options, and other customization settings. Cookies store these selections so that they remain active for future visits, providing a tailored and seamless experience.

Third-Party Provider Cookies

In addition to the cookies used directly by Step and Grow, our platform may include content and advertisements from third-party providers. These external services may utilize cookies, Web Beacons, and JavaScript to collect certain data, including:

IP address.
Browsing activity and behavior.
Engagement with advertisements.

The data collected is primarily used for measuring ad performance and delivering relevant promotional content based on user interests.

Since third-party cookies are managed by external providers, Step and Grow does not have direct control over their use. For more details on how these third parties collect, store, and process personal information, users should refer to the privacy policies of the respective advertising partners.

One of our key advertising partners is Google, which utilizes DART Cookies to serve personalized ads based on users’ browsing history. If you prefer to opt out of DART Cookies, Google provides detailed instructions within its Privacy Policy.

For information on other advertising partners, we recommend visiting their official websites to understand their specific data collection and privacy practices.

How to Block Cookies

Users have full control over their cookie preferences and can disable or block cookies from Step and Grow—or any other website—by modifying their browser settings. Most modern browsers provide built-in options to manage, restrict, or delete cookies based on user preferences.

Below are official guides for managing cookies in major web browsers:

For users who wish to opt out of personalized advertising from Google, adjustments can be made via Google’s Ad Settings.

To opt out of personalized ads from other third-party advertising networks, users can visit www.aboutads.info for detailed guidance on managing advertising preferences across multiple platforms.

III. Commitment to Data Protection

At Step and Grow, we prioritize the protection of user data and uphold strict standards for responsible information management. While we do not sell personal data, certain information may be shared with trusted partners to enhance the user experience and support the ongoing development of our platform’s services and features.

Users have the right to opt out of data sharing in accordance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We strongly encourage individuals to familiarize themselves with their rights under these laws and to contact us should they wish to exercise their data protection options.

To safeguard the information we collect and store, we implement advanced security measures aimed at maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and data protection. Our security protocols are continuously reviewed and enhanced to mitigate potential risks.

However, we recognize that no online platform is entirely immune to cybersecurity threats. In the unlikely event of a data breach resulting from unauthorized access or malicious activity, Step and Grow will take the necessary legal actions to minimize the impact and safeguard user interests.

IV. Implementing Your Privacy Privileges

1. Acknowledgement of Your Rights

At Step and Grow, we respect and acknowledge your rights regarding the personal data we collect, regardless of whether you have a registered account with us. However, the specific rights available to you may depend on your location, as different countries, states, and regions enforce varying data protection regulations.

If applicable privacy laws in your region grant rights such as access, correction, deletion, or restriction of your personal information, Step and Grow is committed to honoring these rights in compliance with the relevant legal frameworks. We encourage users to familiarize themselves with their data protection rights and to contact us should they wish to exercise any of these privileges.

2. Policy on Data Retention

Step and Grow retains personal information only for as long as necessary to meet operational, legal, and business obligations. This includes retaining data for purposes such as:

Ensuring service continuity.

Meeting legal compliance requirements.

Enhancing platform functionality and user experience.

If you wish to request the permanent deletion of your personal data, you may submit a request via our official contact form at https://stepandgrow.com/contact.

Upon receiving your request, we will initiate the deletion process in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, ensuring that your data is securely and permanently removed while adhering to legal retention requirements.

V. Rights to Privacy under California Law

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants California residents specific rights concerning their personal data. Step and Grow is committed to maintaining transparency and ensuring full compliance with CCPA regulations. The rights available to California residents include:

Right to Access – You have the right to request details about the categories and specific types of personal information collected about you. This includes information on how the data was obtained, its intended purpose, and whether it has been shared with third parties.
Right to Deletion – You may request the permanent deletion of personal data collected by Step and Grow, except in instances where legal obligations require us to retain certain information.
Right to Opt-Out of Data Sales – While Step and Grow does not sell personal data, users still have the right to opt out of any data-sharing arrangements that could be classified as a sale under CCPA guidelines. We fully respect and process all opt-out requests in accordance with the law.

Step and Grow is dedicated to handling privacy-related requests promptly and aims to respond within 30 days of receiving an inquiry. If you wish to exercise any of these rights or have concerns about how your personal information is handled, please contact us through our designated communication channels for assistance.

VI. Rights Under GDPR for Data Protection

Step and Grow is committed to transparency and the protection of user data, particularly for individuals covered under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you are entitled to specific rights concerning your personal information, including:

Right to Access – You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you. In certain cases, a nominal processing fee may apply.
Right to Rectification – If any of your stored information is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request corrections or updates.
Right to Erasure (“Right to Be Forgotten”) – Under specific conditions, you may request the deletion of your personal data from our records.
Right to Restrict Processing – In certain situations, you can request that we limit the processing of your data rather than deleting it entirely.
Right to Object – You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data, including for purposes related to direct marketing.
Right to Data Portability – Under applicable conditions, you may request that your personal data be transferred to another organization or provided directly to you in a structured, commonly used format.

Step and Grow is committed to addressing GDPR-related requests as efficiently as possible, with a target response time of 30 days whenever feasible. If you wish to exercise any of these rights or have concerns regarding your personal data, please reach out via our official communication channels for assistance.

VII. Parental Oversight of Children’s Data

Step and Grow is committed to protecting the privacy of young users and does not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 13. We strongly encourage parents and guardians to actively oversee their children’s online activities and guide them in using digital platforms responsibly.

As age verification with absolute certainty is not always feasible, we remain dedicated to promptly removing any personal information inadvertently collected from a child under 13 once identified.

If a parent or guardian becomes aware that their child’s data has been collected through our platform, they should immediately notify us via our official contact form at https://stepandgrow.com/contact. Upon receiving such a request, we will take swift action to remove the reported information from our records.

VIII. Future Adjustments to Our Privacy Policy

Step and Grow reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy in response to technological advancements, regulatory changes, or updates to our business operations.

We are committed to maintaining transparency and will notify users of significant updates in a timely manner. To stay informed about how we manage personal data, we encourage users to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

By continuing to use our platform after an updated Privacy Policy has been published, you acknowledge and agree to the revised terms. If you do not agree with any changes, we recommend discontinuing the use of our services.

IX. Our Contact Information

For any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy, our data handling practices, or your consent preferences, please contact us through our official communication channel at https://stepandgrow.com/contact.

Our team is available to provide clarification and address any privacy-related inquiries.