Any job-seeker has probably run into some pretty questionable posts, and probably gotten some even more questionable emails or texts from “employers” interested in hiring you. How can you tell if these are real or fake? Here are some things to watch out for:
- You can’t find info on the job elsewhere. I also advise caution if the posting doesn’t list the employer’s name and at least some basic information. If you can find the posting somewhere more reliable (the company’s own website is a good place to start), apply there instead.
- The job description is overly vague or sounds too big. This often means that they aren’t particularly clear on what they want from the position, or that the job is truly too big for one person.
- They offer to send you a check to cover your new office expenses. This is almost certainly a scam. It’s a way for them to get your bank info. Legitimate employers won’t send you money before you’re hired, and then they probably won’t send you a check, but will send you equipment directly or reimburse you for what you buy. (Some places will give you a remote work stipend, but again, that comes after you’ve been hired.)
- They ask for personal info at a stage that feels too early. This is especially true if you haven’t heard of the company or if there’s anything suspicious about the contact’s email address—for instance, it’s a “recruiter” from Boeing but the email comes from a Gmail account.
- They are hiring for lots of positions. This isn’t always bad news—sometimes the company is simply growing quickly—but it’s worth checking out as much as you can. Lots of turnover usually doesn’t bode well.
- It sounds too good to be true. No interview? No need to check your references? Red flags! Look the place up and see what you can find. Chances are good that this is a scam—what employer doesn’t want to meet you, even virtually, before bringing you on as part of the team?
- Things just feel off to you. This is harder to quantify, but sometimes something just feels weird about a job offer or posting. Pay attention to that feeling, and do as much research about the place as you can: see if you can talk with current employees, read reviews of the workplace and salaries, check their website and social media. There’s a chance you’re just being gun-shy after a previous bad experience, but there’s also a chance that something really is off about the offer or the company.
Do you have any additional tips for spotting a questionable job or employer?
