Explaining Modern Job Scams and Where to Find the Best Reputable Opportunities
Job scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leaving many professionals vulnerable. Scammers are incredibly tuned into the fact that some job seekers are desperate to make money, and they will use this to gain protected or sensitive information. This blog sheds light on common scams in the finance job market, how to identify red flags, and where to find trusted, reputable career opportunities. If you’re planning to start your job search in the new year, begin your search with PrideStaff Financial.
AI-generated jobs and companies:
AI has helped streamline many processes, including those involved with scamming. AI can be used to create fake job postings and company websites. As always, be alert whenever reviewing jobs and companies to make sure the information is aligned. Reverse searching can help avoid fake sites and job postings. If in doubt, always double-check the information before applying or responding. You can open a new window and look up the company directly or call the company directly.
Job boards:
Scammers use job boards to attract potential victims. They do this by using existing brands and names to try to give their ruse legitimacy, i.e., they create a copycat site that looks like “flex jobs” but is in fact a fake site. Spotting these scams can be difficult, as they look real on the surface, but with a little digging, you can find the truth. Research the company across social media and the web to verify emails, websites, people who work for the company, as well as other points of contact match up with what you are seeing on the job board site.
WhatsApp and direct text messaging:
Scammers communicate and conduct fake job interviews with job seekers through “alerts” via WhatsApp or direct text messages. Although convenient, it is rare to secure a job or conduct a job interview with a legitimate company through a social media or chat platform. Also, most recruiters will not send you a text message about a potential job. Never click on any link sent via WhatsApp or text. If you are approached through chat, be sure to request that they give you a call, and never hand out any personal information like birthdate, social, address, or personal life details.
Know the red flags:
Be wary of jobs with catchy titles, vague descriptions, promises of remote work with no location details, frequent reposting, no contact person or next steps.
How to find the most reputable sites:
The best way to search for jobs is to directly and actively seek out jobs you want via trusted websites like LinkedIn. If you find a job you are interested in, go directly to the company site to see if they have it listed on their website. Call the company and ask about a job you’ve found on LinkedIn. Utilize multiple boards with varying strengths. Include job boards that have direct employers and Google Jobs (company-sanctioned listings) that emphasize verification. Working with a recruiting firm like PrideStaff Financial is safe and trusted because you work directly with a staff member, you are never asked for payment to work with a recruiter, and they do the vetting of job opportunities for you.
Looking to boost your accounting & finance career?
Connect with PrideStaff Financial–where award-winning job seeker satisfaction is our standard. Visit our job board to explore the latest and greatest job opportunities today.
