Career Advice: Beware! Scumbags Are Working The Job Market

Career Coaching

Beware of scam artists who are exploiting those who are struggling to land a job in these turbulent times. They are stealing identities and collecting fees by offering to land jobs that don’t exist.

Surely, there is a special seat reserved in hell for those scumbags who prey on people who are suffering because of they are out of work.

Consumer advocates advise exercising extreme caution when replying to job ads online to keep from being victimized.

“Put as little personal information (such as your Social Security number your age, driver’s license, banking information) as possible on your resume,” says Kayce Ataiyero, columnist for The Chicago Tribune. Use a P.O. Box instead of your home address; open a separate e-mail account.

Check out the potential employer’s history. Call the organization to verify its existence. A good source is the Better Business Bureau. Avoid ads that ask for personal information not usually called for in legitimate job offers.

Back away in a hurry from those asking for an upfront payment for training or background checks and other services before a face-to-face interview. Don’t pay for help in getting a government job.

Don’t be scammed by guarantees of employment and salaries that are just too good to be legitimate. Be wary of offerings for jobs overseas.

Career Tip: “The bottom line: don’t let eagerness or desperation to get a job cloud your judgment,” advise Ms. Ataiyero. “Scrutinize the ad and investigate the company to help prevent” a rip-off.

Your first and best line of defense against scammers is your own common sense.

I wish you career success!

Ramon Greenwood, Head Career Coach
Common Sense At Work