Common Job Search Scams

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Getting a job these days is not easy, given the high number of applicants for every opening. The competition is so stiff that you need all the help you can get from friends and family to even stand a chance. However, this doesn’t mean that you should let your guard down when applying or interviewing for jobs. There are plenty of con artists out there who see job-seekers as their perfect prey. You must be careful while dealing with potential employers or intermediaries; they might not have your best interests at heart. Here are some red flags that could help you avoid getting duped while looking for a job:

Commonly Run Scams On Job Portals / LinkedIn

Fake job postings: These job postings are done to build databases (sometimes by real recruiters or by scam artists for phishing information)

• If a job post says" like or drop a comment for us to consider your profile",it is a fake posting to gain likes & followers.
• To identify the genuineness of posting, always ask for details of the job - the name of the company, detailed job description etc.
• Never share your pan card / aadhar / passport number for any kind of job posting
• Do not fill out any google form-based job applications - it's a common way to phish for personal information

The employer/Recruiter asks you to pay a fee

This is one of the most common signs that you’re being scammed. You should never have to pay a fee to get a job. Do not pay any recruiter/company that says you have got the job but you need to pay XYZ amount for uniform/bus/bank account creation etc. Such job offers are fake. (ps: do not share document details and bank account numbers too)

Be Careful of Job Ads That Seem Too Good to be True

It’s normal for job ads to be brimming with benefits , but there’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed. If the job ad is too good to be true, it’s a huge sign that you’re dealing with a scammer. For example, if an unknown company is offering you a much higher than the average salary for the job , be careful. Scammers might promote a high salary because they know that people overlook the red flags related to job blinded by the money factor.

Do research about the company before signing any contract.

Employment Contract or Job Offer is Shorter Than the Hiring Process

If your potential employer offers you a job contract or job offer before you’ve even finished the interview process, be careful. It’s normal for a company to decide to hire you before the entire hiring process is complete, but it shouldn’t happen before you’ve even had the chance to interview. For example, if the hiring manager tells you that they love you and they want to hire you but they can’t because they’re waiting for the HR department to finish processing your paperwork, be wary. There could be a problem with the paperwork and they might just be trying to get you to walk through the door before you start to smell a rat.

Company’s Name Doesn’t Match the Address or Website Address

There are times when you’re applying to work for a company and they give you a different address than the one listed on their website. In some cases, this could be because they’re moving and they haven’t updated their website yet, but it can also be a sign that you’re dealing with a scammer. If you need to apply for the job through an online application form, be sure to check the website address and make sure it matches the company’s address. If there’s a discrepancy, you should be careful. It’s also a good idea to check the company’s WHOIS details to see who owns the domain name. If the address and website details don’t match the owner information, you should be extra careful.

Inconsistent Answers from the Interviewer

If you notice that the interviewer is inconsistent when you ask them certain questions, it’s a red flag. Most interviewers know the ins and outs of their company, so it should be easy for them to answer your questions without hesitation. However, there are times when interviewers are so desperate to hire someone that they’re not careful about what they say. For example, if the interviewer mentions that the company is expanding, don’t believe it. This is a sign that they’re desperate for new hires and they’re trying to hire as many people as possible. Be careful because they might hire you, but they might not ever give you a job because they don’t actually have any work.

Conclusion

Getting a job is an arduous process, and it can be difficult to know if an employer is legitimate or if they’re trying to scam you. If you can recognize these signs, you’ll be able to protect yourself and avoid getting scammed.

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