How to Avoid Scam Job Opportunities

Alright, everyone—let’s talk about scam job postings because they are EVERYWHERE right now. I’m seeing them all over the place, and I don’t want you giving away your personal info to someone shady. It's not worth it.

So here’s the deal. About six months ago, I started noticing something weird. I was getting hit with all these messages—texts, emails, LinkedIn DMs—saying stuff like, "Hey Allison, we have a super critical remote position paying $77 an hour, are you interested?" Um, who wouldn’t be interested in that?!

But guess what? It's all a scam. I sent my resume, never heard back, and now I’m getting bombarded with text messages from random numbers. Yikes! This is happening to A LOT of job seekers. So, I’m here to break down some red flags for you so you can avoid these sketchy offers like a pro.

?? Red Flag #1: It Sounds Too Good to Be True

Look, if someone’s offering you a super high-paying remote gig that seems to fall in your lap with no effort, that’s a big ol' red flag. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. These scams love to dangle these outrageous salaries in front of you, hoping you’ll bite. Just don't.

?? Red Flag #2: Grammatical Messes

I’m not a grammar snob—stuff happens. But come on, if a recruiter can't string a proper sentence together, that's a sign! Real companies aren’t going to hire someone who can’t even spell “position” correctly. If you notice repeated spelling or grammar issues, run. Fast.

?? Red Flag #3: Asking for Your Personal Info

The second someone asks for personal details—whether it's your phone number, home address, or even your resume, slow down. If they’re real, they’ll be fine with hopping on LinkedIn and verifying who they are. Trust, but verify. This is where two-factor authentication for your job search comes in. If they reach out to you on WhatsApp, tell them to message you on LinkedIn too. If they won’t do it? Bye.

Here’s What You Should Do Instead:

?? Always Check LinkedIn: If someone says they’re recruiting for a big-name company, go look up the actual company’s recruiter. That’s right, bypass that sketchy “staffing agency” and connect with someone legit. Better yet, if they don’t respond? That’s a sign you shouldn’t be messing with them.

?? Check Company Websites: If a company is REALLY hiring, the job will be on their careers page. Full stop. So, if someone says they’re recruiting for Apple but you can’t find the job on Apple’s website, guess what? Move along.

?? Be Skeptical, Always: Don’t take anyone at face value just because they say they work for Google or Microsoft. You can say you work for anywhere on LinkedIn, and no one will stop you. Always verify.

Let’s Not Get Scammed, OK?

I know job searching can feel lonely, but we need to have each other’s backs. If something feels off, trust your gut, and don’t be afraid to ask someone else if they think it’s legit. I’ve had my fair share of scam job postings, and trust me, it’s better to take an extra 5 minutes verifying than getting sucked into a scam.

Stay smart, stay skeptical, and always verify. Don’t give these scammers the satisfaction.