Truth or Consequences in Career Selection and Job Search

For better or worse, the Donald Trump era has attempted to legitimize the concept of "fakeness." Legitimized? This stuff is not new; only recently verbalized by someone in a very lofty political office. Take heart to the inherent message, even if you do not subscribe to the politician and or his political views and possible motives. He may have stumbled upon something with deeper meaning. There is much takeaway here.

Know that nearly everything we encounter in daily life has the potential of being "fake." EVERYTHING. Fur coats may be fake. Sports tickets can be fake. So, too, are many of the junk phone calls and emails we get asking us to support one cause or another. We already know that even people can be "fake." Fakeness, abounds! It is all around us!

Not So Nuts About This

President Trump has caused us to question the truthfulness and validity of information coming to us from what we have long believed as respectable and reliable sources. For decades, Americans and others have accepted - at face value - news brought to us by such solid, historical and institutional sources as The New York Times, The Washington Post, the major television Networks and even from such iconic polling companies like Pew and Gallup. All informational sources are being called into question by this President and his political supporters.

All of this skepticism surrounding the truthfulness and accuracy of data sources may not really be such a bad thing. Back in the 70's, my high school teachers used to warn us NOT to believe everything we read in print or hear on radio and television (there was no Internet, yet). Publishing and broadcasting sources seem so credible taken at face value. So, does produced web media, these days. Everything seems to have slick graphics and clean, sharp edges. It all has an established look, doesn't it? We ask ourselves: How can such impressive presentation be flawed? But, it can be. And, even worse - it can be designed in such a way as to deliberately deceive readers. After all, P.T. Barnum is attributed with the quote (he never really said it) that "there is a sucker born every minute." Guess who the suckers just may be? The most gullible among us.

Be More Critical Validating Information

We all have to learn to shut up and not immediately try to form our next questions, so we can read and or listen to the information that we are being exposed to -- more carefully. Everyone has to learn to be much more critical of data and be willing to verify and qualify any information on which they base their daily decisions. Let's not be paranoid about this "fake news" thing; but let's try and do better taking the necessary steps to assure that what we read and hear is solid and factual. Yes, it takes a little more work, on our part. Isn't it worth doing the proper due diligence when it comes to making some of life's most critical judgement and personal/family decisions?

We're not just talking about the concert of "fakeness" in terms of politics. We're talking "fake," or even "shoddy" in terms of any piece of data that influences choice. For our purposes, let's consider information as it relates to job search and careers.

Job Boards Can Be Dangerous

There is a familiar "public board" often used as a job posting board that offers one of the best examples of a source for "fake" and potentially dangerous information. People have been robbed, assaulted and even murdered when applying for jobs posted on that board. Why has this board been such a magnet for trouble-makers?

For a long while, anyone could post just about anything on this public platform at no cost. There is now a nominal charge (approx $25) to post a job for 30 days. The charge was added to discourage people from posting junk, but can it really be expected to stop bad people from scamming others? Scams still go on there, everyday. It's not this board's fault, it is the people that pray on others using their gateway.

This platform also relies on its readers to "flag and report" inappropriate and improper posts. The problem is that much slips through the cracks. If you are looking for a job on there, be extra cautious. Be sure to research (Google) each business and people you may be dealing with as their representatives. And, as most security experts recommend - if you are not sure you are dealing with an identifiable "brick and mortar" business, ONLY agree to meet the person doing the hiring in a public area. Some police departments are even creating safe zones in and around their public safety buildings, for this purpose. Otherwise, a Starbucks, Panera Bread or local diner will do to meet strangers.

Question the Polls

Another category to question are polls. In politics, Trump supporters gloat that the polls got it wrong in predicting that Hillary Clinton would win the election of 2016. Now, almost everyone is trying to generalize this example of poll inaccuracy to poll results of all kind. There are polls relating to employment numbers, wages and career choices that we often concern ourselves with. Here, too, we need to be critical and discriminate regarding what to believe. Looking at additional polling to determine trends; making sure polls conducted have been properly validated; noticing what populations (geographically and socio-economically) are included; when the polls were taken and the results released (any time lags?); who sponsored the poll and to what possible end; and - of course - listening to what your gut tells you about the findings is of utmost importance.

The Written and Spoken Word Often Calls Truth Into Question

Articles you read (professional publications, newspapers and opinion pieces) must be carefully considered. Is there a hidden agenda? What is the editorial policy of the publisher? What are the credentials of the writer and his or her sources? Be sure that you are not reading a press release or advertorial rather than a true article. There are large differences among these types of writing. You wish to be precisely informed on a topic, rather than sold a bill of goods by those sponsoring the piece.

People Are Five Times More Likely to Write a Bad Review

Finally, be very critical of reviews of any kind. There are reasons some write reviews and reasons that others do not. Publishers, who accept reviews may handle them in a way that benefits their own publication. For example, they may manipulate the reviews in such a way as to pressure non-clients to buy into their business plans. Cross reference everything you read by visiting competing employment review sites and go even further by confirming the information contained in reviews with former employees of a company. Many of these people can be located on LinkedIN.

Conclusion

The message here is that "fake news" and "fake data" are too important NOT to try and avoid. No, not everything you read and agree or disagree with is wrong or fake. But, it can be. Do not IMMEDIATELY accept everything you read and hear as truth, regardless of singular reputation. Think hard, rationalize and reconcile, if you are able to. Verify every piece of information you use to make critical employment and career decisions. Then, turn it all over for your "gut" to do some work in smoking out scams and falsehoods. All of this does require additional leg work and focus on your part. But, can you afford not to dedicate yourself 100% to making the right choices when so much may be at stake?