Job Seekers Beware

Hello, LinkedIn friends,

I wish to alert you to something that I find to be very troublesome. As a diligent job seeker, I am steadily exploring positions at reputable companies for employment. In addition to my involved LinkedIn presence, I have posted my resume and qualifications on several prominent job boards. Recruiters routinely contact me regarding my pending applications and any new, open roles within their representative organizations. I welcome these interactions, and I much appreciate the opportunities to connect and grow as a professional that these exchanges provide.  

A few days ago, I was contacted by a recruiter from a company regarding its expansion into my local area for an Office Manager/Executive Assistant role. The pay and benefits listed were very competitive and enticing, and my interest was peaked. As always, I examined the company's website, checked Glassdoor for any reviews, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and The Better Business Bureau (BBB) for any complaints. The company's website is masterfully done, very professional in nature, but based on my extensive research, there is NO such company. Glassdoor, the FTC, the BBB, nor the internet has any record of this company. An initial, critical warning for me was the copyright at the bottom of the company's home page; it states 2009, not 2019. Any decent website developer maintains current information on its company's site. Upon searching the physical address listed on the company's home page, I found a for sale listing for retail and office space in Canada for this particular address.

Moreover, today, I received an email notification stating that I was being offered the job. Let me be crystal clear; I have NOT ever interviewed with this company. I responded politely to the first email that I received on Sunday, requesting more information about the company and how they found my information, but I never obtained a response from that person. How can I possibly procure a job offer without ever being interviewed by the HR Manager or company leadership? I can't.

The bottom line is if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Please be prudential when reviewing prospective employers. Do NOT give any personal information unnecessarily. I understand the uncertainty, frustration, and anxiety that coexists with job-seeking; I do, but you must maintain good judgement and caution at all times. Unfortunately, there are individuals out there, who prey on vulnerable job seekers. Please do not expose yourselves to disappointment and heartache, or worse, financial ruin or identity theft. Job searching takes time; it cannot be forced or rushed. You're playing the long game. You want an organization to value the skills and contributions that you can generate, and that often requires time, research, and copious amounts of resumes and applications. Do not allow yourself to become susceptible to criminals who exploit your trusting, giving nature. Always be vigilant and scrutinize all the data before committing yourself to any course of action.

Be mindful, be proactive, and be safe, my friends.

Tonia | #TFish

P.S. I came across this useful knowledge while conducting my analysis. "Scam Alert: Do Not Answer Calls or Texts from These Area Codes" by Michael Timmermann on May 6, 2019. I am including the link here; I hope that you find it helpful.

https://clark.com/scams-rip-offs/one-ring-scam-area-codes/