Spot the Job Scam: Top 8 Safety Tips for Your Online Job Hunt
Online job hunting is a lot like online dating. It's an awkward but necessary combination of fantasy, embarrassment, awkward conversations and baffling referrals from well-meaning friends.
So when a message pops up on your screen, your heart leaps and you hope for the best. Your mind skips ahead to optimistic questions:Could this be the right job for me? Will I like the work culture?Â
But with job hunting, as with dating, it's best to take it slow. Before you get too emotionally invested, make sure you can answer one question: is this legit or a job scam?
Job scams are more sophisticated than ever
You'll find scammers everywhere: in online ads on legitimate websites, posts on social media. Sadly, some can be found on career sites for both full-time and freelance work.
Job scammers are masters of psychology. Simple scams prey on greed, envy, ignorance, desperation. The higher-level ones appeal to your vanity: "I can see you're smart, this job is perfect for you. "¦ Only really special people are invited to join us, so that's why we're not on social media."
This is how they keep you on the hook and refusing to see the signs, even the most obvious.
8 employment scam red flags
If the company interviewing you does any of these, be cautious. Shut it down, block the contacts and warn your friends. Believe us, there will always be other opportunities
1. Too good to be true? Yes.
One sure sign of a scam is when everything's too easy and too fast. An offer of a job you didn't apply for. A job that seems too advanced for your skills, or not related at all. Perhaps a joke of an entrance exam or video interview where you're instantly hired. How about an impossibly high salary for easy or unskilled work?Â
Maybe an email out of the blue, from someone with zero connection to you. Or perhaps the opposite"“someone who names a common friend or relative "who told them all about you." (If this makes you feel paranoid, remember how easy it is to see people's distant family, old classmates and personal history online, even with zero hacking expertise.)
To prevent this, do your homework. Cross-check everything. For example, if it's for a big company, call their trunk line and ask for HR and the person recruiting you. Look for the job on their website's "Careers" section. Most importantly, don't be afraid to ask questions. Any genuine recruiter or employer will welcome these and be happy to answer them.  Â
Also read: 10 questions to ask before accepting a job offer
2. Free web email, messages with errors, zero social media
In most companies, it is compulsory to use official email addresses for all communication. This includes authorized agents, contractors, and recruiters. If you receive an "official email" from a free webmail address, such as @yahoo.com or @gmail.com, reconsider your application. Startup or not, a real company has a real email address.
This is not enough, though. Bank scams now use fake email addresses or entire fake websites, which are only a few letters apart and carefully designed to trick you. So pay very close attention.
Finally, search for the company on social media. Ask yourself: does their presentation match the language and "quality" of the email? Many job scam emails have tiny errors or wrong grammar, which should set your alarm bells ringing. If the company has no social media at all "“ in this day and age -- then that's a red flag too.
3. Demands personal or financial data to proceed
Some job scams will take you to a website requiring you to enter personal data, like your SSS numbers or bank account "so we can deposit your check." Others will insist that you install third party applications or software.Â
Ignore them and get out. All these can now be used for identity theft "“ which is the real goal of the scam. If you're the victim of this, the damage could be worse than just wasted money and time. You could also end up with a nasty computer virus, or have your bank account or credit card cleaned out.Â
Delete your application, block contact and delete any links that might remain on your computer.
4. Schedules an interview but refuses to tell you the job or company
Some recruiters may be extremely excited to invite you to a job interview. Yet they refuse to answer your questions, or give you any information about the job itself. This is a common tactic used by pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing, so always do your research before you agree to an interview.
5. Vague job descriptions or titles
Genuine job postings are very specific about requirements, because companies do not want to waste time and money on unqualified people. If you come across a job post with vague or shady-sounding titles, qualifications or job description, think twice. You can ask for clarification, but trust your instincts. Â
6. Pressures you to move your "interview process" to PM or IM
Chats and emails on job sites "“ like those on dating apps "“ are stored and viewable by site owners. This helps us know, for example, how many successful hires are generated by a certain job ad.
Private or instant messaging apps have tighter privacy safeguards. For this reason, scammers are eager to move conversations there. Do not allow it, and do not add them as a contact. They can use this to hack your account, spy on your other chats or photos, and harass or threaten you.
7. Asks you for money before you sign the contract
Never shell out money for anything "“ whether training, products/materials, or any kind of "processing" or "pre-qualifying" "“ until you've signed an employment contract. Â
Hiring is a cost of doing business. Real companies spend a lot of money and time to find the right people. Recruiters and manpower agencies are paid by the employer, and absolutely should not charge you anything. Additionally, all OFW-related costs begin only after a contract is signed.
We've received reports from job seekers asked to pay online, via payment apps (GCash, Smart Padala, etc.), or bank transfers, even without knowing what their "new job" is.Â
We strongly caution you against doing this. If you receive such a request, politely decline the offer. Verify the recruiter's name and number with the Department of Labor and Employment or the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. Â
8. Contacts you for matters unrelated to the job you applied for
You may receive invitations to interview for other jobs, or offering you products, "training" or discounts unrelated to the job you applied for. How did they get your contacts? This red flag should make you look closely at the original job you applied for as well.
Online is great, when you stay safe and smart.
Whether dates or jobs, the internet has brought us so many new and better options. As long as we're alert to scams and use our common sense, it can be a great tool to improve our lives.
Find jobs from verified employers on a secure platform like Jobstreet. In fact, you can start now, and update your profile so employers can find you. Join us and #LetsGetBackToWork.
Click here for more real talk from our Career Advice page, and download the Jobstreet app via App Store or GooglePlay.   Â
