How to spot a fake job
Finding a new job or career is difficult enough; the last thing you need is to fall for a job posting that appears to be fantastic but is actually a scam. It can take you from happy and optimistic to frustrated and dejected in no time.
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The bad news? Job scams are out there. The good news? You can spot them before they get you, if you know what to look for
In this article, we’ll discuss what to look for in a job description or offer so you can tell whether it’s a true opportunity or a scam in disguise. Here are 10 signs that a job posting is actually a scam:
1. The recruiter contacts you
A recruiter calls you up and says that they found your resume online. “You’re a perfect fit for this amazing position,” they say. While you may think how lucky you are, don’t be fooled. While it can happen, it’s a good bet that this is a scam. Hear them out, but then do your research.
Most open positions receive many applications, so it’s rare for a recruiter to have to scour job sites looking for qualified candidates. If you receive a job offer right away and there are unusual requests or there are additional warning signs from this list, it could be a fake meant to obtain your personal information.
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2. The pay is too good to be true
If you are hunting for a job, you probably have a good idea what the average salary is for your job and experience level. If you find a job posting that lists that position for two or three times the typical salary, be wary.
Even if a company wants to hire the best of the best, it can probably do so by beating the competition’s salary by a small margin. Paying double the going rate is bad business and not likely to happen. You’ve heard it before: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
For instance, if a job description states the employer will pay a monthly salary of R45,000 for only 15 to 20 hours per week in an entry-level role, it could be a sign to look into the company and position further before applying.
3. You get an immediate job offer
If you apply for a job and are offered the position almost immediately, something fishy is going on. Even a great resume doesn’t tell the entire story. An immediate offer to work for an organization combined with the fact that you didn’t contact the company first can mean the job opportunity isn’t as legitimate as it seems.
Legitimate companies want to talk with you first to get to know your personality as well as your list of accomplishments.
4. Your research comes up empty
Trust your research. If you see a listing but can’t find a good website for the company, consider it a red flag. The same goes for a recruiter; if you talk to someone about a job that could be a great fit for you, but you can’t find the recruiter on Linkedin or a company website, consider it a warning sign.
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5. Job requirements and description are vague
Real job opportunities have quite specific job details and requirements that you’ll always see in a job description. However, you may notice that the details and requirements in illegitimate job postings are quite vague. If you can’t figure out what you would be doing in a particular job based on the description, assume that you don’t want to know.
For example, be wary of job offers that only require candidates to be of legal age, literate, and able to type, as well as other simple and ambiguous criteria that almost anyone could meet.
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6. The recruiter has a generic email
Whether your correspondence is with a recruiter from a recruiting agency or the HR person at the hiring company, you should expect that they’ll have a company email address. If the recruiter is using a generic email service, like Gmail or Yahoo, they’re either not legit or really unprofessional. In either case, you’ll want to move on.
7. Contact information for the employer or company is missing
Many fake job opportunities tend to have missing contact information or vague details about the organization. If you notice the company’s information is missing, try an internet search to find a company website or email address. If you still cannot find basic information about the company’s location, staff members or other details, you may want to continue onto your next opportunity.
8. You’re asked to pay for something
You should exercise caution when dealing with any business, recruiter, or job offer that requests payment in some form. No legitimate job opportunity will require you to pay to work for the company. While you should budget any expenses related to your job search—like gas for travel or professional attire—you should never have to pay for an opportunity to interview or accept a job.
Don’t fall for it. No reputable company should ask you to pay them to get equipment for your job. It’s that simple.
9. You get asked for personal information
There is a point in the interview process where the employer may need to get some personal information, such as your identity number, to conduct a background check.
If an employer is asking you for your identity number, bank account information, or other personal information and you're still early in the interview process, it should trigger your scam alert senses. It should be clearly stated upfront why they need this information and if it makes you feel uncomfortable, it's probably time to move on.
10. Asking for an interview via messaging service
With it being an increasingly digital world, remote interviews are more commonplace. However, there are still some basic guidelines that should be followed. Interviews are still typically held by phone or video conferencing software, like Skype or Zoom. Using a messaging or chat service is highly unprofessional and a good way for a scammer to hide his identity.
Simply put, no legitimate company is going to ask you to interview for a job by way of a messaging service.
Protect yourself by doing your research
Doing your own research is the simplest way to protect yourself from job scams. If you see a job posting or receive a call that intrigues you, put it on pause for a day or two and hit the internet. Look for:
A professional company website
Professional profiles of any recruiters with whom you've spoken
Social media presence
Accreditation or rating with the Better Business Bureau
Company reputation reviews on sites.
With a little research, you can not only find out if a company and a job are legit, but you can also see if the company is the right fit for you.
How to report a job scam
It is up to you to report a job scam if you want to see justice served. There are several steps to reporting a job scam, but you can save a lot of people from getting ripped off. Here are the steps:
1. Report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center
2. Notify others on social media
3. Report the company to the National Consumer Commission (The)(NCC)
4. Let the job site know about a fraudulent listing
Don't get discouraged. The vast majority of job postings are legitimate; just keep your eyes open, remember these tips, and trust your instincts.
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