Job Search Skills

Beware of Fake Job Postings

According to Thomson Reuters, Employment scams are becoming more common, and job seekers continue to be a target of cunning scammers. If you’re looking for a new job, be alert to these scams, by learning what to watch out for to better safeguard yourself against them.

How can you protect yourself? According to Heras (2022), from the Federal Trade Commission, you can do the following to avoid job scams:

• Verify job openings before you apply. Visit the official website for the organization or company you’re applying for. Most include a “career opportunities” or “jobs” section.
• See what others are saying. Look up the name of the company along with words like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” The results may include the experiences of others who’ve lost money.
• Don’t pay for the promise of a job. Legit employers will never ask you to pay to get a job. Anyone who does is a scammer.
• Never deposit a check from someone you don’t know. An honest employer will never send you a check and then tell you to send them part of the money. That’s a fake check scam.

Read the article "Job seekers beware: 5 tips on how to avoid 'fake job' phishing" provided below and take note of how to avoid employment scams.

What is a Job Application?

According to Indeed.com, a job application is a formal document that sums up your factual education and experience for your potential employer. It contains confidential candidate information for both recruiters and hiring personnel to review. Your job application is a legally-defendable document. It's important that the information included is thorough and accurate.

How to Apply for a Job?

Apply in Person - Employers who commonly accept applications in person include restaurants, grocery stores, and other retail businesses. Some businesses will post a "Help Wanted" sign on their entrance. If you see a sign like this and plan to apply in person, make sure you look presentable and polished when you go inside. That is, have clean, brushed hair, fresh breath, and non-wrinkled clothes.

Watch the videos provided below. Consider the following questions. What should you do to prepare in advance when applying for a job in person?

Apply online - Most employers post their job openings online and will require you to complete an online application. Although each company has a different online application process, there are some common things you will need to do which include: creating an account, filling out the job application, and adding a resume and cover letter. Some employers will ask for additional documents.