March 29, 2011

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” It’s a handy piece of advice. You roll your eyes at the emails from the Nigerian prince who desperately needs your help, the messages that say that you’ve won a free Hawaiian vacation go straight into the spam folder, and you know you’re not the lucky one millionth visitor and winner of an iPod.

The same advice applies for the job search. With the job market as it is, students are feeling the pressure of finding jobs immediately after graduation. Unfortunately, there are some who want to take advantage of that widespread anxiety and uncertainty.

A few weeks ago, a friend scored an interview for an amazing job with potential for fast promotions and raises, plus benefits like attending sporting events, cocktail parties, concerts, etc. But when I Googled the company, the first thing that popped up was the word “scam.” After that, I found countless warnings from former employees who had been lied to about the nature of the position. I forwarded the info to my friend and told her to be careful.

Employment scams can take many forms. Some organizations will offer to makeover your resume and place you in an awesome job... for a “small” fee (The ICC provides its services for free). Some scams have reportedly involved identity theft, so exercise caution before providing your Social Security number or any financial information. Other common “easy money” scams involve being a “mystery shopper” or work-at-home opportunities. If the jobs really were “easy money,” they wouldn’t have to be advertised so widely.

The following are some tips to identify and avoid scams and schemes. Not all of these points will necessarily be applicable to a scheme. On the other hand, if an opportunity meets one of the following criteria, you should investigate the company and the position, not necessarily exclude it automatically.

The First Contact
Where did you first find the job posting?
Websites like Craigslist and Monster.com can be great resources for students and recent grads. They are free and many have used them in the past to find jobs. But because anyone can use these sites, they are also available to those who want to take advantage of job seekers. Exercise caution when sharing your personal information on these sources. You are much less likely to be scammed on Aggie Job Link and industry/company websites which are more carefully monitored and screened, but it is possible for dedicated scammers to gain access.

Did the company approach you first?
While there are always exceptions such as career fairs, most of the time you should be approaching a potential employer first, not the other way around. Beware of opportunities that appear in your UC Davis e-mail if the contact does not specify how they got your information or by whom they were referred. Furthermore, many recruiting scams use Craigslist and other websites to find unsuspecting targets. “Recruiters” contact job seekers, claiming to have wonderful opportunities for them that do not actually exist. Legitimate companies know that the talented people will come to them and will rarely engage in this type of recruiting.

The Job Description
Are the qualifications vague or bare?
Employment schemes want to open a wide net to attract as many people as possible. The job descriptions for these positions will be vague to not discourage anyone from applying. Legitimate positions generally list specific qualifications such as preferred majors, previous related experience, certifications, computer skills, etc., whereas a scam often requires only “an outgoing personality.”

Does it promise quick promotions, lucrative raises, and significant benefits?
The following is quoted from a recent job ad: “1st year=$47,000, 2nd year=$78,000, and 3rd year=$103,000” and that doesn’t even include commission, expense accounts, and full health insurance the posting boasts. For an entry-level, non-technical job, this posting is unrealistic and is littered with red flags.

Does it mention sales or commissions?
Sales jobs based on commissions are often disguised as something else. To attract college-educated employees, a company might advertise a position with certain buzzwords and with a title like “Marketing, Communication, and Sales Coordinator.” The title may imply exposure into the field of marketing and communication when it actually is heavily based on demanding sales quotas and work hours. Legitimate commission-based jobs have a good niche for certain personalities, but they are not for everyone and have a high turnover rate.

Does Googling the company’s name result in warnings from former employees?
It’s a simple step, but a very telling one. Read reviews posted on consumer advocacy or fraud report websites. Some reviews may be mixed, but remember that the positive reviews could easily be planted. Pay attention to whether the complaints seem to be directed at a particular branch or a manager, or whether the complaints are surrounding the entire company and the business model.

At the Interview
Any mention of an “application fee” or “training costs” is a red flag.
An employer will pay you for your talents and contributions to the company, not the other way around. Once you hand over a check, there is no guarantee you will see that money again, no matter what the interviewer says.

“Just sign here...”
Never sign a document before reading it. Employment scams may try to pressure you to signing quickly on the spot by downplaying the importance of the document or by saying that it is essential to move you through the next steps of the hiring process. In these cases, ask if you can take home a copy to read over first.

If you did get caught in a scheme
Don’t let it get you down.
The job search process can be stressful, but don’t give up. It can take six months to a year for grads to find employment, especially in the current economic conditions.

Tell your friends and the ICC.
Whether you only exchanged a few emails before you realized the dishonesty of the business or you ended up working with them for a few months, know that it wasn’t your fault and help others avoid falling into the same trap. The Internship & Career Center is also available for guidance and support. Let us know about your situation so we can investigate and warn other students. Furthermore, we can point you toward safe options like Aggie Job Link and other UC Davis services.

Expand your job search strategies.
Don’t be afraid to look outside California. Taking a job in another state will make you a more competitive candidate down the road than accepting any job that “pays the bills” in-state. Moreover, a large majority of jobs are never posted online. Instead, many people find jobs through internships, networking, career fairs, etc. The ICC advises that only 20 percent of your job search involve looking for jobs on the Internet. In the remaining time, network with family friends and colleagues, build up your LinkedIn profile, and work on developing yourself as a strong candidate for future positions. Come by the Internship & Career Center for help on these topics and more.

Check back for more articles soon!

Articles by Jennifer Kim