Whether you are just beginning your employment search or have been looking for a while, you are likely using all the resources at your disposal to secure your next job. From job boards to classifieds to staffing agencies, there are many ways for employers to post their open opportunities and request applications from qualified candidates. Unfortunately, some of these tools can also be misused by dishonest individuals that are trying to take advantage of you. Scam artists and organizations misrepresent themselves through job postings and other means, hoping to get money or information from unsuspecting jobseekers without offering meaningful employment in return. Dishonest or fake recruiters can use some pretty devious means to get what they want from their targets, but with a few tricks of your own up your sleeve, you can outsmart them at their own game.
Common Recruitment Scams
When it comes to fake job opportunities, scam artists have found increasingly sophisticated means of worming their way into job boards and other employment search resources. There, they can post ads and sometimes view the resumes of jobseekers, which gives them access to those individuals’ contact information.
Some recruitment scams to look for include:
- Pyramid schemes. Although some of these “business opportunities” are legitimate, almost all of them require an initial investment and require you to recruit or sell to other people.
- Mail scams. Have you seen those ads claiming that you can “make $5000 a week stuffing envelopes”? Chances are that you thought they were too good to be true, and you were right.
- Money transfer scams. These schemes convince jobseekers that they’re applying for a “virtual admin” or similar job for a generous hourly rate, but the work consists of depositing checks into one’s own bank account and forwarding a portion of the money to another party. The checks then bounce, leaving you holding the bill.
- Fake recruiters. These individuals falsely claim to be working for a major corporation and may charge up-front fees, but never deliver on their promises.
How to Detect a Recruitment Scam
Several warning signs exist to help you determine whether an opportunity is legitimate or not. Avoid recruiters that employ tactics such as:
- Asking you for money. Genuine recruiters are paid by the employing organization, not by candidates.
- Requesting bank account or credit card information. Never give this information over the phone unless you’ve established the legitimacy of a company and have agreed to pay for a product or service.
- Advertising government jobs. All available government jobs are posted on USAJOBS.gov; jobseekers can view and apply free of charge.
- Using a non-company sponsored email address. Although some independent recruiters do use Gmail, Hotmail, or other free email domains, use caution when working with these individuals. Also be on the lookout for domains similar – but not identical – to major companies’ websites, like bankofamerica.net instead of bankofamerica.com.
When encountering “job offers” that look like these, the best defense is to follow your gut. If you don’t fully trust the recruiter or the opportunity they offer, walk away. Finding a job can be a challenge, and scam artists believe they can dupe you with fake opportunities using techniques such as the ones above. Fortunately, by knowing the telltale signs of a recruitment scam, you can protect your financial and other sensitive information while searching for the job of your dreams.
IT Recruiters you can trust
Whether you are interested in establishing a partnership with an IT staffing agency for your company’s technical hiring needs, or are looking to pursue a dynamic career in an IT profession, IT Accel can help you reach success.
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