Since when did you have to pay to apply for jobs? You don’t – it’s a scam!
In our latest blog, we shine a light on the signs of online job scams and how you can avoid being caught out.
Are you having to pay to apply for jobs? Chances are it’s a scam!
Does the money seem too good to be true for the experience being asked for? That’s likely to be a scam too!
Is the job advert appearing on your social media feeds but you can’t find it on job platforms? Unfortunately, that’s a scam.
If any of the above has happened to you in your job search, you’re not alone. Online job scams are becoming more and more common and, unfortunately, in tough times, the scammers prey on those most vulnerable.
First things first – report an online job scam
If you’re currently in the market for a new job, contract work, or a temping role, you’re the perfect target for online job scammers. They’ll have identified your search history and see your activity so planting the seed of another job that may interest you won’t make it look out of place.
You can get one up on them though by double checking the sources of the jobs you’re applying for, and the criteria being asked. If there’s anything suspicious about it, it’s likely to be a scam so report it via CERTNZ www.cert.govt.nz
CERTNZ is New Zealand’s Computer Emergency Response Team and is part of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which has been established to help with New Zealand’s cyber resilience.
NCSC supports businesses, organisations, and individuals who are affected by cyber security incidents as well as providing trusted and authoritative information and advice to help prevent those incidents.
How to avoid online job scams
If you’ve found a role on a job platform that you’d like to apply for, do some research about the company first to see if it’s genuine. Most companies list vacancies on their websites so cross check the job advert with their careers page.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to the organisation to confirm the vacancy is legitimate either. It’s better to be safer than sorry and you’ll also be demonstrating thoroughness in your research – an admirable trait.
How to spot a fake job advert
When you’re scrolling through job platforms it’s common for all adverts to start looking a bit the same, but this is where the online job scammers can cash in. It’s therefore important to keep an eye out for the tell-tale signs of a fake job advert. These include:
- asking you for a fee as part of your application
- asking for any fees in fact!
- a disproportionately high salary for the job on offer
- minimal qualifications for a job that requires expertise
- an invitation to apply direct to your inbox or to send a message via whatsapp
- a poorly written job advert with lots of spelling mistakes
To avoid being scammed in the first place, work with a trusted recruitment agency. At Asset Recruitment, we have permanent, temporary, and contract roles available and we work with a range of clients across a variety of industries. We know each of our clients which means we know the roles they’re advertising for are genuine – as are the companies themselves.
If you’re looking for your next role, get in touch with the real recruiters at Asset Recruitment today. We’re experienced in positioning excellence across the Waikato and would welcome the opportunity to place you in an exciting new role.
.