Sometimes, job hunting is stressful, challenging, and even a bit defeating. With countless people applying for the same position, you may not always hear back from your top picks.
As you apply for jobs, you may encounter listings that make many promises but offer little detail about the company. These listings may also have spelling mistakes or lack a link to the employer’s website. This is a common sign of a scam, and sadly, there are many fake listings online. Learn how to protect yourself from common job search scams to ensure you only apply for actual positions.
Avoid Vague Listings
If you encounter a job ad that doesn’t mention the company’s name or provides a vague job description but promises an excellent salary or benefits package, proceed cautiously. A company may list minimal role requirements but highlight a long list of benefits, and the pay may be above the average for the position. Scammers often draw extra attention to the perks and dismiss other details because it captures a job seeker’s attention—we all want to work for an incredible company.
Verify Company Existence
If you come across a listing that seems suspicious and lacks a URL, open a new tab to verify the company’s existence. Type the name on the listing into the search bar and scan through the results. A company with that name may appear, but you’re not out of the woods yet. Visit the website and search for a careers page to see if the posting you saw on a job find site also exists.
If you do not see the position, contact the company directly. Send an email explaining the listing you saw and ask about its validity. You can also attach a screenshot of the posting. The employer will tell you whether it’s theirs or a scam.
Check Web Extensions
When you check a company website, it should always start with “http://” and any alternative to this is likely a scam. Also, check for any misspellings or strange domain extensions. Pay extra attention to this as the error may be minor, such as “.com.” versus “.com”; web URLs shouldn’t contain a period at the end.
Focus on Minor Details
Many scammers may also alter minor details that most people would overlook. If postings seem overly vague but the company exists, you can also compare the business logo from the website to the posting. Likewise, evaluate the tone of the site and list of values compared to the listing. This is a red flag if the website has a very professional writing style but the posting appears casual.
Review the Email Address
You may receive an email for one of these random offers, and another way to know if it’s a scam is by examining the email address. A fake email address may have an incorrect spelling of the company name or a strange domain extension.
Moreover, legitimate companies will always use their corporate email address for job applicants to contact them. If you see an unfamiliar address from someone claiming to be the hiring manager, it’s a scam you should avoid.
Pro Tip
Never click the links in an email that seems fake. Some scammers will include links that could install viruses on your computer or allow them to hack your device.
Never Provide Financial Information
Legitimate employers will never ask for your financial information when you apply or during a job interview. It could be a scam if a potential employer asks for your personal or financial information at the moment. Never provide your banking information, social security number, or other personal details until a verified employer hires you. A genuine company will not request this until you work for them because they’ll need it for payroll.
Don’t Accept Unsolicited Job Offers
Receiving a job offer for a role you have not applied for is a big red flag. Some companies may try recruiting individuals, but they’ll ask them to apply first. No reputable employer will outright offer a job to someone because they need to review your skills and experience first. In-person and phone interviews allow hiring managers to determine how you’d fit in at the company and if you’re ideal for the role.
Recognize Fake Interview Tactics
A “company” may reach out, praising your skills, and request an interview to talk in more detail about your abilities. As you set up an interview time and date, beware of any requests to go through messaging apps, such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Legitimate companies will conduct initial interviews via video, phone, or in person.
Pro Tip
If a business sends you an email link to Zoom, verify that it aligns with their company’s email. If it’s a personal email address or does not end in the company name, it’s likely a scam.
Get a Second Opinion
Another way to protect yourself from common job search scams is to ask a friend or relative for a second opinion on listings. They may notice details you’ve missed. Getting a second opinion is beneficial no matter where you search for jobs, as fake positions exist on the general web and sites like Indeed.
Work With Recruiters
While using the internet to search for and apply for jobs is efficient, there’s also an increased risk of falling victim to fraud. You can meet a recruiter in person by contacting a local agency, and they can help ensure you only apply to legitimate postings. Additionally, recruiters can offer professional advice to help you enhance your resume or interviewing skills. Most importantly, a recruiter will help align you with the best role and company based on your experience, abilities, and values.
Pro Tip
Similar to postings, a recruitment agency will not contact you requesting payment information or other personal details.
Contact Burnett’s Staffing
At Burnett’s Staffing, one of our experts can help you find the ideal job in Dallas-Fort Worth. We understand how stressful it can be to search for positions while watching out for employment scams. We only conduct online interviews through Zoom with the email burnetts.zoom.us and do not conduct text interviews.
With our help, we can save you time and energy by vetting all the companies on your behalf before submitting your resume. Reach out today to meet with our team!
