Career Development

Learn how to recognize a fake job on the internet

admin • 17 Sep 2023

With the increase in online job offers, fake vacancies have become a reality.

After all, it's not so easy to check whether a job offer is, in fact, genuine. In addition, the rush or anxiety to find a replacement causes many candidates not to check the ad.

So, you don't waste energy, time, or money, we've prepared some tips for recognizing fake online jobs.

The problem with fake jobs

Although the internet has helped many professionals search for a new job, it has also opened the door to scammers, hackers, and unscrupulous companies that create false job offers.

These fake vacancies often involve charging the candidate a fee based on the promise of a job. In other cases, the purpose is to collect contact data to sell to other companies.

Even if the false advertisement does not cause financial damage, the time and energy lost can hinder the search and even discourage the candidate.

Tips for recognizing a fake job on the Internet

First of all, to stay safe, it is advised that you do a little research on the company before applying for any vacancy.

For example, check if the company has a page with open opportunities. Also, compare the contact information on the company's website with the information you received via email.

So, to avoid falling into traps, here are some ways to find out if the job offer you just received is real or fake.

1. The job posting leads to a strange website

A clear sign that a vacancy may be fake is when the ad directs you to a strange, poorly designed or unemployable website.

Therefore, some information that you should look for on the site are:

• Address (confirm on Google Maps).
• Contact page with service channels (landline, email, etc.).
• “About Us” page with history and team data.
• Links to social networks (see if you have followers and what they are commenting on).

Many fake advertisements take the candidate to unknown websites to collect contact details.

Generally, the objective is to assemble a database to offer products or services. There are cases where registrations are sold to other companies.

2. When you apply you get a call immediately

Another red alert. If you apply for a job and you get a call a few minutes later, the probability that the job is fake is high.

In these cases, usually someone gets in touch to sell some service.

So if that happens, don't sign anything or provide any personal data. Perhaps you have fallen into a trap.

Remember: you must not pay for a vacancy. The candidates pay no serious HR consultancy but by the contracting companies.

However, it is worth noting that a replacement service is on the market, also known as outplacement.

Yes, this service is paid for by the professional. But no serious company will use a fake ad as bait even then.

3. The contact email is personal

This is perhaps one of the biggest indicators that the vacancy is fake.

For example, if the ad tells the candidate to send the resume to a Gmail or Outlook email, the chances of being a fake vacancy are great.

Some scammers create emails trying to imitate those of a real company. They do this by including a hyphen or changing a few letters.

So whenever you're not sure, copy the email and do a Google search. See if anyone has reported any issues or complaints about the company.

4. The ad lacks many details

If you've found an ad for your dream job that fits any profile, beware!

You should be wary of very generic vacancies, without details. Maybe their goal is not to find the ideal professional.

In many cases, these vacancies are a lure for a company that wants to set up a database to sell services or products.

What are the necessary skills? What is the required training? Where will the workplace be? Is it PJ or CLT?

Therefore, if the vacancy raises many doubts, be suspicious!

So, if you are suspicious of an ad, check for any complaints from the company or person offering the vacancy.