Are you on the hunt for a new job? With so many job postings and employment opportunities available online, it can be tough to know which ones are legitimate and which ones are scams. Fraudulent job postings and fake employers are becoming more common, and job seekers need to be aware of the red flags to avoid falling victim to these scams.
To help you protect yourself during the job search process, 15 Forbes Human Resources Council members share tips to keep in mind. From researching the company to being wary of unsolicited job offers, these tips can help you identify and avoid job scams.
Original article here.
1. Avoid The Middleman
Potential employees need to be aware that no middlemen can help them get into a job. All leading companies irrespective of whether they make it to Forbes 500 or not, use one scientific tool one way or another to measure candidature. Hence, no middlemen can carry influence to get you your dream job, therefore, don’t pay for their undesirable influencer services. – Saurabh Rana, PMaps
2. Examine The Sender’s Email Address
To avoid being scammed, candidates should ensure the legitimacy of job application emails by examining the email address from which they receive requests. Genuine companies will neither call nor text candidates to collect candidates’ personally identifiable information (PII), such as date of birth and national identification nor will they ask for money to advance the job application. – Siddharth Sharma, JP Morgan Chase & Co.
3. Verify The Identity Of Your Future Leaders
Often, the mainstream validation and easy authentication of job search platforms may make you judge your own intuition. However, suspicious third-party agencies hide among the reliable ads, making many potential candidates land in trouble. Not sharing confidential details before getting the offer letter is a step we are all aware of, my advice would be to verify the identity of your future leaders. – Muninder Anand, Center for Creative Leadership
4. Review The Firm’s Online Presence
Review the firm’s online presence on sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook; are there recent social media posts? How long have their employees worked for the company? Another way is to see if they’ve had any recent reviews on Google. Finally, ask to speak to other employees working at the firm. If they refuse this request, it’s typically a sign they’re hiding something. – Jordan Young, AMX Healthcare, Inc.
5. Interview The Company Thoroughly
Stay vigilant! Interview the company as thoroughly as they interview you. Research the company you are applying to and never provide personal or financial information unless you’re certain that the job offer is genuine. Be mindful to not let desperation for a job cloud your judgment. Remember, you are in charge of you. Keep in mind that you are valuable, and don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. – Jess Elmquist, Phenom
6. Avoid Firms That Require You To Pay For Access
Do not engage with any search firm that requires you to pay to gain access to roles you are interested in! Search firms with a substantial client list and active job searches will never ask you to pay them to be part of their candidate pool. The same advice goes for job boards. The only parties that should be paying to use a job board are employers. – Alexandria Brown, The HR Hacker
7. Read Through Online Review Sites
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of companies that encourage you to move or hire others to make money selling something—these pyramid schemes don’t work out well for most people. Look closely at online review sites—if people say they didn’t get paid, you won’t either. Never join a company that requires your money—they should be paying you, not the other way around. – Tracy Cote, StockX
8. Conduct Proper Background Checks Of The Company
To avoid job scams, research the company and job offer by checking the company’s website, online presence and contact details, using reputable job boards and identifying scam indicators like unsolicited offers or unrealistic salaries. Proper background checks can protect job seekers from fraud. – Bala Sathyanarayanan, Greif Inc
9. Research The Firm’s Alumni
It depends on the industry, but the general advice is to look at the firm’s alumni. For how long have the individuals stayed on average, and how has their career progressed after leaving the firm? What you’re looking for is that leavers in general maintain similar or higher functions and don’t entirely switch careers. There’s a consistency you can rely on. – Nick Frey, Avomind
10. Avoid Companies That Require Too Much Personal Information Up Front
Transparency in the hiring process, especially within the company’s identity and mission, job description and salary information, is a hallmark of a credible business that values best hiring practices. Avoid applying with a company that requires too much personal information up front before an official offer is made or offers no face-to-face contact of any kind throughout the interview process. – Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc.
11. Research The Job Posting And Watch For Suspicious Activity
Job search scams can be costly and hard to spot. To avoid them, job seekers should research the company and job posting thoroughly, watch for suspicious activity and trust their instincts. By taking these steps, job seekers can protect themselves and find legitimate employment opportunities. A big red flag would be any company or service asking job seekers for a fee to help them get a job. – William Stonehouse, Crawford Thomas Recruiting
12. Rely On Your Instincts To Detect The Red Flags
Job scams are becoming increasingly common, so job seekers should verify the company’s website, research reviews of the business and rely on their instincts to detect red flags. Red flags include a request for a monetary deposit to secure a job offer or a request for confidential personal information, such as social security numbers, during the application process. – Niki Jorgensen, Insperity
13. Avoid Jobs That Promise High Pay For Minimal Work
Apply the golden rule: ”When in doubt, throw it out.” Always research a company before accepting any job offer. Check their website, social media presence and reviews. It could be a red flag if they ask for personal or financial information before a formal offer. Be wary of any job that promises high pay for minimal work or requires upfront payment. Trust your instincts, and ask questions. – Joseph Soares, IBPROM Corp.
14. Avoid Companies That Text About Applications
Don’t apply to companies that ask for money upfront. Research a company’s website before applying; I realize that start-ups may have incomplete websites, but do your research before applying to ensure the company is legitimate. Be wary of companies texting you about an application; ensure it is from a company contact. – Erin ImHof, CertiK
15. Research Company Contacts And Leverage Your Network
Research the company. LinkedIn is a great source. If a company contact is offered, research that individual. Leverage your network to inquire about the company. Glassdoor is an invaluable resource, too. Never “pay” for any process. – Britton Bloch, Navy Federal
Crawford Thomas Recruiting:
Crawford Thomas is a team of leading HR recruiters. We not only fill staffing needs, we partner with organizations to find out how their recruiting needs tie into their business objectives. Through this, we are able to meet your staffing needs in a way that achieves organizational success.
Start securing top talent by visiting our page for employers today.