There are many different ways you can improve your odds: using tools to optimize your resume content, hiring a resume writer, reaching out to your network, seeking referrals for jobs, and hiring a headhunter are just a few common options.
There’s no way around it. Job searching is exhausting. Don’t you wish it was easier?
Some services claim they will make the process easy. They may claim to be recruiters and promise to “fast track” you through the process because they have special relationships with hiring managers. They may pose as hiring experts who can give you inside information on a company to help you optimize your materials (for a “minimal” fee, of course!) but give you the same information you could find on the company’s website. Some will even apply for jobs for you.
Many of these services are scams. They are relatively easy to set up. Anyone can register a domain, set up a basic website, and be in “business” in a few days, maybe even a few hours.
These scams rely on job seeker exhaustion and count on their ability to give exhausted job seekers a sense of hope. Then they use common grifting tactics to pressure job seekers into using their services, lest they lose out. Unfortunately, that false urgency results in individuals making hasty decisions and paying high fees for practically useless services. (Or no services at all!)
According to CNBC, Americans lost $68 Million to job search scams during the first quarter of this year. Fortunately, many resources can help job seekers identify potential scams before they get taken. For example, AARP has a great page on common scams and its acclaimed podcast, The Perfect Scam. In addition, Rocket Lawyer, Indeed, FlexJobs, and many other sites also have informative articles with tips on recognizing potential scams and ways to protect yourself.
Know the Signs
Some signs that a scammer might be targeting you include:
- E-mails from addresses not associated with the company related to a job opportunity.
- Vague job listings.
- Interviews that only take place over chat, where you can’t see the interviewer.
- Immediate job offers, sometimes without even interviewing.
- Asking you to pay a fee before getting a service.
- Pressure to quickly make a decision.
- Websites that have been recently registered for companies claiming to have a history of success helping job seekers.
- Websites with very vague descriptions of services offered.
- Websites, e-mails, and other communication with bad spelling and grammatical mistakes.
To this list, I would add:
- Websites and companies with scant search results on Google, no reviews, and no company presence on LinkedIn. (No company page, no employees coming up in searches for people at the company.)
- Company recruiters or representatives with no LinkedIn presence. (No company page, no individuals listing the company as their employer.)
- Vague information about the job.
- Absence of basic information about the company and its leadership on its website. (No photos of officers or representatives, no testimonials, no company mission or values statements, no guarantees, and no easily identifiable information about their physical address or direct phone number.)
Avoid Being Scammed
What should you do to avoid being scammed?
Look up any company or person that contacts you out of the blue about job opportunities. Do a basic search on Google and also on LinkedIn. If you can’t find articles, reviews, or people who work for the organization, be extremely cautious. Instead, ask the contact where you can find more information about the company and the job opportunity.
Search for the company website’s domain registration information at https://lookup.icann.org/en. Is the site less than a year old? Is the registrant information available? Is it up for renewal within a year, or has the company registered the domain for multiple years?
Never give money or personal details to someone without doing your due diligence. Know who they are, what services they provide, and how you can get a refund if they don’t come through with the services promised, or the services are low quality.
Never go out and buy gift cards and send the card information to anyone over the internet. That is not how legitimate companies operate.
Take your time to investigate each opportunity and be sure it is legitimate. Don’t allow anyone to pressure you to accept an offer immediately, send money, or share your critical personal information (Social Security Number, Address, Date of Birth). This information can be used to steal your identity.
Be Skeptical
Finding the right job is challenging enough without being scammed. If something seems too easy to be true, it probably is. Be skeptical. Stay vigilant. And good luck!
