You may encounter many employment scams during your job search. If you are not careful, you can quickly become a victim of one of these scams.
What Are Employment Scams?
An employment scam refers to an instance in which a job seeker submits their application for a role that is not actually available. Or, the scam can involve a job seeker accepting a role when no position is available.
In either of these scenarios, a job seeker provides their contact information to a prospective employer. At this time, he or she inadvertently shares this information with a scammer. And, this scammer can use the job seeker’s information for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
Are Employment Scams Common?
The Better Business Bureau estimates approximately 14 million people are exposed to job scams annually. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission data reported an increase in employment scams in the second quarter of 2020; this may have been related to a rise in cybercrime that took place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Is It Possible to Avoid Job Scams?
Don’t expect employment scams to stop any time soon. However, job seekers who can identify the warning signs of job scams are well-equipped to limit their impact.
What Are the Warning Signs of an Employment Scam?
1. A Job Posting Promises the World (But Fails to Deliver).
If you notice a job posting that promises a high salary and lots of perks, it may be a scam. To verify if a posting is legitimate, conduct research into the company behind it. Learn about the business and what it typically offers its workers for compensation and benefits. Also, get in touch with the business directly via email or phone. Remember, it never hurts to be proactive during a job search. By contacting a business, you can confirm if a job posting is valid. If the posting is legitimate, you can show your interest in a role with the business, too.
2. A Job Posting Provides More Questions Than Answers.
The best job postings make it easy to see what a company wants to find in its ideal candidate. Conversely, the worst ones are vague and leave much to be desired. If a job posting raises questions about the responsibilities associated with a position, it may be a scam. Furthermore, if the posting does not include information about the company behind it, you should avoid submitting your application for this position.
3. A Job Posting Requests Sensitive Information.
Keep an eye out for a job posting that asks you to share your social security number, bank account information, and other sensitive information. A typical company will request a resume and cover letter, so it can learn about your skills and experience. If a potential employer uses a job posting to request information you are not comfortable sharing, the posting may be part of an employment scam.
Marquee Staffing Can Help You Guard Against Employment Scams
At Marquee Staffing, we do everything in our power to ensure job candidates can protect against employment scams. Our professional recruiters can teach you about job scams and the risks associated with them. We can put you in touch with reputable companies that want top talent to join their teams, too. Discover what it’s like to work with us.