AVOIDING

ONLINE JOB

SEARCH SCAMS

JOB

HUNTERS

BEWARE!

It’s almost impossible to search for employment or change jobs without conducting an online job search.  In fact, it’s now pretty much a given that you can’t find work in today’s labor market if you don’t use the tools the internet provides.

As you know, life often requires that you have to take the bad with the good.   Well, perhaps not take the bad, but at least be aware of it.  It’s no different when conducting your online job search.  There are, believe it or not, those who will take advantage of your job search efforts if you’re not careful.  We know you’d rather not think about that, but you should.

“Wait’, you say, “what could someone possibly do that I wouldn’t know right away was a scam?  I’m careful, I lock down my passwords, I use Private Browsing whenever possible (well, when I remember to, anyway), and always clear my browser history when I use a computer at a hotel or outside office.”  Great!  As well you should.  But online job search scams are pretty sophisticated. 

6/30/2014

Who are you? Who? Who? Who? Who? I really want to know

Often, scammers are able to make it through the screening process of job sites.  Their job posting looks legit.  A common scam “job” involves driving for the “employer”.  Not surprisingly, a copy of your driver’s license is requested. When combined with your resume, your drivers’ license, especially if it includes your SSN, provides the faux employer all the tools necessary to steal your identity.

6/30/2014

No deposit, no return.

Or, rather, if a job opportunity requires you to make a deposit (for uniforms, supplies, tools of the trade, for example), you’ll  get no return.  Remember, you don’t pay employers to work, they pay you.

6/30/2014

Psssst, wanna buy a  job listing? 

This particular online job search scam is very effective and, as a result, very popular with crooks.  They charge you an application or admin fee for a list of “unadvertised job openings that are usually “only posted in-house”, for example.   Or the posting claims that the list of contains government jobs not available to the public (untrue-listings of government jobs are publicly available). 

6/30/2014

Make hundreds of dollars per day in your pajamas!

 We’ve all seen the postings: No experience needed, make $1,000-2,500 per week.  It sounds too good to be true because, of course, it is.  While the earnings potential may be real, it’s more than likely that making that kind of money requires hours and hours of sales work, almost always on a commission basis.  While this works for some people, it’s not a career for which most of us are suited.

Online job search scams:  Stay aware to stay protected.

WWW.DISTINCTIVEWEB.COMMichelle Dumas runs of one of the longest-standing and most respected professional résumé writing firms on the internet, Distinctive Career Services, LLC (dba Distinctive Documents). Since 1996, Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals with résumés that get results and win jobs fast. Get insider résumé writing tips that you won't find anywhere else at her website. Go now to www.distinctiveweb.comThe Internet’s Résumé & Career Marketing Specialists…Since 1996www.distinctiveweb.com resumes@distinctiveweb.com (800) 644-9694

Copyright © 2014, Distinctive Career Services, LLC