Watch Out: 5 Job Search Scams to Avoid

Job search scams seem to be more pervasive than ever these days, with con artists and opportunists cashing in on the large volumes of desperate job seekers all over the U.S.

Here are 5 common scams to watch out for:

• Any “employer” requiring you to pay an application fee to apply.
• A “headhunter” or “recruiter” requesting a fee for services.
• Fake “employers” posting on Craigslist; and any strange requests from “employers” on Craigslist.
• Companies that say they will help you tap into the hidden job market and charge a large up-front fee, like $4,000 or $10,000+; if their system is effective, why can’t you pay as you go? (Do not confuse this with well-established, reputable career coaches who have excellent LinkedIn recommendations.
• Any “employers” you can’t find any information about.

And here are 3 situations that may or may not be scams that you should be vigilant about:

• Bait and switch scenarios in which you’re invited to an interview for a “management job,” and then find yourself in a group interview for a sales job.
• Companies that provide services to help you find a job for a hefty fee.
• Employers requesting your Social Security Number on online applications; can’t you provide this later, after they offer you the job and are ready to do the background check and employment verification?

And, finally, here is one other service that you might want to avoid, even though they aren’t “scams,” per se:

• Popular resume distribution services that promise to blast your resume to everyone on the planet; this is like spam and will not benefit you. However, there is a good option for targeting recruiters I can introduce you to, although this service isn’t right for everyone.