Articles : Can you spot a fake job posting?

Are you able to spot a fake job posting? Below are eight tips to help you determine if the job you’re thinking about applying to is a scam.
 

1. When scanning a job posting, look for obvious red flags like spelling errors, email addresses that don’t make sense, or phone numbers that don’t add up.
2. Do a quick Google search on the company name. If you don’t have luck finding anything, try searching the company’s name with phrases like “fake job,” “fake job posting,” or “scam” to see if people have similar suspicions. You could also try calling the company to inquire about the position.
3. Check to see if the job board you are searching on allows for companies to post jobs for free. TorontoJobs.ca, for example, requires businesses and organizations to sign into its account in order to post openings. You can also call the job board and question them on the authenticity of its job postings.
4. Be wary of job postings that offer an exuberant amount of money for little or no work, working at home, etc.
5. Be aware of how a job is being offered to you. For example, you could be offered a job, but there is no actual offer or discussion of the position. Watch out for those that request for your banking information very early in the interview process.
6. Don’t pay for training up front. A lot of companies will invest in their employees to increase their skills by putting them through training courses.
7. Look out for terms that are not “Canadian in nature.” Is the word organization spelled with an “s”? Do you see terms like 401(k) or W-9?
8. Be aware of people who are overly nice and then turn on you quickly if you don’t agree to their terms. Recruiters and hiring managers at businesses and organizations are very friendly and professional, but scammers tend to be a little overboard.

If you’re still a little on the fence about whether or not the job posting you’re interested in is fake, you could always:

• Apply for the job but use very limited information.
• Post your resume anonymously on job boards you are suspicious of.

For additional tips, watch President of TorontoJobs.ca Marc Belaiche, CPA, CA discuss this topic here.

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TorontoJobs.ca is a full-service recruitment organization, including TorontoJobs.ca Website, Career Fairs, full-service Recruitment Division and Outplacement Services. The local focus and advanced features make TorontoJobs.ca a vital asset for both job seekers and employers within the Greater Toronto Area. Visit our Online Career Centre for additional articles on Career Development, Personal Branding and more!