Over half of Galwegians agree the new year feels like the right time to reassess career goals, according to research from Indeed. However, with scams on the rise, it is important to know how to protect yourself in your job search.
With the job market slowing, people are feeling the pressure, and scammers know how to take advantage of those urgently seeking work. Two-thirds of Galwegians think that job scams have become more sophisticated in recent years, yet almost half (40 per cent ) do not feel confident they know how to spot a job scam, with Galway ranking below the national average in this regard, according to Indeed.
Every month, Indeed removes millions of job posts that do not meet strict quality standards, but job seekers need to remain vigilant as scams become more sophisticated. Here are Indeed’s top tips for spotting a scam:
1. You did not apply
You receive a call from a recruiter who claims to have seen your CV online. They tell you that you are the ideal candidate for a particular job. Although it may be legitimate, there is a strong chance that this is a scam. After hearing them out, conduct some independent research on the company to verify the offer.
2. You immediately receive a job offer
A proper recruitment process takes time, ranging from a few weeks to several months. Getting a job offer immediately without having applied for an opening or talking to a recruitment manager is a significant sign of a job scam. A job opportunity may not be as authentic as it seems if it is offered to you immediately, and you did not get in touch with the employer first.
3. Incomplete job description
If you frequently read job postings, you may note that they often provide detailed information on the responsibilities, specifications and qualifications for the open position. They also state your potential salary and benefits. Vague and sparsely detailed job advertisements might indicate that the job is nonexistent. You may get an email after responding to this kind of advertisement.
Keep track of other signs to be wary of, such as the email salutations lacking your name. In this case, it is probably a standard response given to every scam victim.
4. They ask you to provide personal information
During an interview, an employer may ask for your personal data for a background check. Be on the lookout for scams if an employer asks for your banking details or other such information while you are still in the interview stage. If they do not explain why they require this information or ask you to provide it through an unusual channel, it is probably best to move on.
5. Using a messaging service to request an interview
Virtual interviews are more prevalent these days, but there are still some fundamental principles employers follow during online recruitment. Scammers may easily conceal their identity by using a messaging or chat service. Respectable employers rarely request an interview for a position through a messaging service.
6. The employer's contact information is missing
Besides poor communication skills, scam job postings frequently lack contact information or provide ambiguous information about the organisation. If their contact information is missing from the job posting, perform a web search to locate the organisation's website, email address or physical address. If you still cannot locate an address or other essential details, move on to your next opportunity.
7. Job postings or emails frequently contain mistakes
Legitimate organisations will usually use business email addresses to communicate. Consider it a warning sign if a job offer arrives from what looks to be a personal address. Multiple grammatical mistakes or misspelt words also indicate that the sender may be tricking you.
8. The recruitment manager is quick to recruit
Be wary if the process feels rushed. Reputable organisations typically screen applicants to identify the best fit. It is probably a scam if they offer to recruit you right away or ask for little qualifications for high-level work.
9. You pay to work
When employers ask you to pay some money before recruiting you, the offer is likely to be a scam. This may look like requests to pay for “training fees”, “recruitment fees” or “payroll fees” before you even start the job.
10. The salary is unrealistic
If the pay seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you have a good understanding of the typical pay for your position and experience level, you are able to tell when a wage is too high. These employment frauds most frequently offer the possibility of earning extremely high pay to lure innocent victims. They also do not indicate the likelihood of commission-based employment or the lack of a guaranteed income.
