Getting Tricked is No Treat in Your Job Search

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Taking advantage of jobseekers -- especially unemployed jobseekers -- is a low blow. Like stealing candy from a baby. On Halloween. But it is happening with increasing frequency, and jobseekers need to be aware of common scams that target those looking for new jobs.

Want to Work From Home? If you've ever thought of working from home, you've probably seen one of these "pay to play" schemes. The premise is great: Earn hundreds or thousands of dollars each week from the comfort of your own kitchen table. But this is a "pay to play" scheme. You're asked to buy a special "kit" that outlines how to make money (sometimes, all you get in return for your $40 investment is a letter telling you how to place ads just like the one you responded to, recruiting other unsuspecting buyers to purchase the "system"). Or you might receive supplies to assemble a product that you assemble and sell back to the company. Sounds great, but the product has to meet the company's "specifications" -- which your submissions rarely (if ever!) do. Other "pay to play" tricks require you to pay a subscription fee to access a website where work-at-home job opportunities may be posted. (If you are looking for legitimate work-at-home opportunities, check out these resources.)

Love to Shop? Mystery shopper opportunities are touted as a great way to earn extra income. While there are legitimate mystery shopper opportunities available, they are a lot harder to come by than simply responding to a Craigslist advertisement. When an unsuspecting aspiring mystery shopper responds to the Craigslist ad, the "company" sends him or her a check to cover "expenses" and asks the person to "mystery shop" a wire transfer service. The individual deposits the check into his or her bank account and wires a portion of the amount to a specified contact, keeping the balance as their "mystery shopping fee." In this mystery shopper scam, you're notified a few days later by your bank that the check you deposited was fraudulent or has bounced. You're then liable for covering the full amount of the deposit (and the money you wired is long gone), plus you'll owe bank fees. This "trick" also is used to "mystery shop" products. In the "product purchase scam," you're wired money and asked to deposit it in your account and turn right around and purchase a product online -- from a eBay, Amazon, or a retail company's website -- and then ship it to a designated contact. The scam is the same -- the wired amount bounces and the product has been shipped elsewhere, so you can't return it and get your money back.

Shipping and Receiving. Related to the product purchase scam. Only, in this case, you're the person receiving the purchased products from the individual in the product purchase scam. You don't know that the products you received were the result of a scam. You're recruited to receive products, check for damage, and ship the purchase to a third party. These are often advertised as "quality assurance" positions but really you're helping "launder" the products for the recipient, by putting more people in between the original purchase and the final recipient. But you may find yourself scammed as well, because the payment you receive (often in the form of a fake cashier's check) will bounce when you deposit it too. And once again, the product will be long gone. (Plus, the victim in the "product purchase scam" may have reported you and your address to the authorities and you may be investigated for receipt of "stolen" property since the original victim didn't receive valid payment for the products they were instructed to ship to you. It can be a real mess.) Or, if you're not part of the "product purchase scam," you may be a "reshipper" -- receiving merchandise that is purchased using stolen credit cards (you don't know this, of course).

Work on Commission. If you have sales-related keywords in your resume, you may find yourself receiving "job offers" to work on commission. While some of these might be legitimate, many of them are not. Be wary of commission-only job offers. And NEVER, NEVER pay a fee to apply for a position. Conduct a Google search on the company and/or job title to check the legitimacy of the position being offered.

Help Accessing the "Hidden Job Market." You can hire resume writers and career coaches to help you find a position -- but be aware that not all job agents are legitimate. There is an entire industry of scam artists that prey on the insecurities of the unemployed -- especially high-level professionals, managers, and executives -- and their need to find new jobs. Some of these firms represent themselves as employment agencies or recruiters, but they charge thousands of dollars ($5,000 to $12,000 on average) for help accessing the "hidden job market." Some of these firms even represent themselves as recruiters or hiring managers, inviting you to come for an "interview" that turns into a sales pitch. Indications that it's a scam are when you're asked to provide detailed financial information as part of the application process, you're asked to "qualify" to become a client of the firm, or your spouse is asked to meet with the recruiter. These companies often attract unsuspecting victims by placing ads disguised as job postings. This "Ask the Headhunter" article for more details on this scam.

Getting tricked is no treat when you're looking for a new job. Here are some tips to help you keep from falling for job search scams:

• You should not have to pay to apply for a position (with the exception that companies can require you to pay a small fee for them to purchase a background check before hiring).

• Do not disclose any personal or sensitive information in job applications, including your social security number or banking or financial information. You will likely need to provide your social security information to a legitimate employer, but only after you've been offered the job.

• The pay seems too good to be true. Entry-level work-at-home positions in particular, pay close to minimum wage -- not $30 per hour or $1000 a week. If it seems like you're getting paid a lot to do very little, be careful!

• Never, never receive a payment and then send part (or all) of it to another company without allowing it to fully clear your bank. This can take several weeks. Some forged cashier's checks or money orders are very realistic looking, and can even fool bank employees. If you receive money and are asked to send payment, wait until the check has FULLY cleared (this can take 3-4 weeks). If the person who sent it to you is impatient, ask yourself why that is! (Scam! Fraud!)

• If it's too easy to get the job, it's probably not legitimate. Watch out for employers who don't carefully check credentials. Legitimate employers will ask about your skills, experience, education, and other factors. Scammers don't spend the same amount of time vetting employees.

• If it's hard to get ahold of someone at the company, watch out! If the company appears to be new, check credentials carefully. Google the company. If the company's address, phone number, and website appear to be focused on recruiting employees -- not customers -- run! Also be on the lookout for a company that has a name similar to -- but not exactly the same -- as a well-known, legitimate company.

Jobseekers -- don't be tricked while you search for your next job opportunity!

What other scams do you know of that target jobseekers? Post your comments below!

And check out these Halloween-themed posts:
Stop Scaring the Gatekeepers
What Do You Fear Most About Your Career Change?

Want Your Dream Job? Identify Your Dream Employer

If you don’t already have a list of your “dream employers,” you can compile one by asking yourself the following questions:

• What industry is my target employer in? 
• What kind of company do I want to work for? (public, private, nonprofit? Startup or well-established company?) 
• Do I want to work for a small company, a larger employer — or somewhere in between? (Identify size by number of employees – 1 to 20, 21 to 50, 51-100, more than 100, more than 500?) 
• Ownership structure: Do I want to work for a family-owned company? A sole proprietorship? A multinational company with an international parent company? A franchise? A company with a centralized ownership group? A corporate entity? 
• Where do I want to work (geographic preferences — like a particular city or state, or even companies within a certain proximity to your home). Do I want to work for a company that offers telecommuting, so it doesn’t matter where I live in relation to where the company is located? 
• What about company culture? (An organization’s culture is defined as “widely shared values that provide unity and cooperation to achieve common goals.”) What is important to me in terms of the company’s mission, commitment to employees, sense of fun, emphasis on learning, leadership style, systems and processes, recruiting/hiring methodology, etc.

Don't Let Your Resume Go To Waste

Where most jobseekers fall short in maximizing their resume is that they simply use the resume to apply for positions they see advertised — on job boards and company websites, in newspapers and trade journals, and through recommendations from friends.

When applying for positions, don’t just send in your resume and hope for a callback. Instead, maximize your chances of securing an interview by making a personal contact within the company. You can use online networking sites like LinkedIn, BranchOut, and Glassdoor to identify possible contacts. You may find that you already know someone who works for the employer (or you know someone who knows someone), or you can identify a hiring manager by name by researching the company. (Start with a simple Google search, and check out the company’s website.)

Don’t stop with simply applying for jobs you see advertised. You can also use the resume to apply for unadvertised positions. This involves researching companies you’d like to work for, finding a contact at the company (again, using LinkedIn, BranchOut, and Glassdoor), and sending your resume with an introductory letter outlining why you’d like to work for the company. When you have a clear picture of the type of position you want — and the company you’d like to work for — it gives you a real direction for your job search. You know who to target and where to apply, and if you’re approaching a company that isn’t currently advertising an opening, you’re also not competing with dozens — or hundreds, or thousands — of other jobseekers.

Personal Reflection Exercise: Plant the Seed

I am planting the seeds to a successful career and a stress-free life.

I am planting the seeds to a successful career and a stress-free life by having a clear picture of where I am going and how I plan to get there.

I am aware of the fact that plans change along the way and that growing and developing my inner self may well lead to a shift in my dreams and goals. I am open to this and have let go of the idea that I need to have my entire life chiseled in stone!

I have taken the time to discover my interests and skills. I have consulted with those older and wiser than myself who can see what I am naturally equipped to do and be.

I have laid out plans for what I hope to achieve in life and how I plan to get there.

I invest in developing my skills and obtaining the resources that I need to be successful.

I have let go of the idea that having a good life is something that just happens. I know that it requires conscious thought and planning. Anything less wastes time and energy and leaves me wandering in circles.

Because I have allowed myself the time to prepare and am equipping myself with the skills and resources I need to achieve my goals, I can move forward confidently and free of stress.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I have a clear understanding of my skills and interests?
2. Have I taken the time to develop my goals and to plan how to reach them?
3. Am I willing to invest in my own success?

Setting Goals for Your Career

Setting goals for yourself is important, especially when it comes to your career. To achieve maximum success, you should ensure that your goals are realistic and achievable.

Read on for real life success stories and some easy-to-follow steps that could help you get on the fast track in your career.

What Are Your Goals?
To set attainable career goals, ask yourself the following questions:

• In 5 years time, I want to be…
• I want to be earning…
• What skills will I need to do this?
• Will I need to change my career to achieve this?

By asking yourself the simple questions above, you'll begin to get a clearer idea of what you want from your career and what you'll need to do to achieve it.

What Are Your Strengths And Skills?
Sarah's story...

Sarah was a receptionist at a shipping firm, but she wanted to be the executive assistant (EA) to the company CEO one day. Sarah knew that she had the key strengths required to be an EA, but she wasn't sure how to land her dream role.

She began helping the other EAs with some minor administrative tasks, but her extra work was going unnoticed.

Sarah decided to take action to make sure her work was no longer ignored and told her manager about her goal. She also asked if there were any in-house training programs she could take to improve her current skills.

The manager put Sarah into a training program, and in just three months she became the executive assistant to a director in the company. She's still got a little way to go to achieve her main aim, but she's taken the first steps to getting there.

The lesson…

Determine your key strengths and make a list. Your strengths don't necessarily need to be work related, just include all of your strong points. You never know which strengths will fit into which position.

Once you know your skills, you'll know what you're capable of achieving. Then take action to make the most of your strengths!

Changing Careers With Your Current Skills
Bill's story…

Bill had been an account manager for almost 7 years but he needed a change. He liked his company and got along well with his colleagues, but he wanted a more challenging role.

In reflection, Bill decided that he wanted to continue using his management skills and build upon them, but it was unlikely that this was going to happen at his current job, so he decided to change his career.

He now works as a sales manager for a much larger corporation. His new target-based role gives him the challenge he was looking for.

The lesson…

In order to successfully change careers to capitalize on your skill set, start by looking at your current role and think about what you'd most like to change. This will give you a great idea of what you don't want to do in your next job so you can find an opportunity more suited to your desires.

Obtaining New Skills To Go For Your Dreams
Jan's story...

Jan had no higher education and worked full-time in a clothing store. She had been working at the store since high school, but always wanted a career in fashion. She loved clothes, but just didn't want to sell them.

Jan knew that she had a very small chance of landing a job in the fashion industry with her current skills and experience, so she decided to pursue additional training. She was able to keep her current job part-time, which now supports her fashion and design training.

The lesson…

When deciding on a new career, be realistic. For example, if you want to be a teacher, yet you have no teaching credentials, it's going to be tough to make that transition without further training. Think about what you want, but also determine what you must do to make it achievable.

These stories exemplify how you can successfully reach for your career goals, regardless of your current situation. The key is to decide what you really want and then take appropriate action to make it happen. When you do these things, success will be yours!

Lost Your Job? Here's What To Do

Because of the economy -- not because of any fault of their own -- many people are landing in the unemployment line. If you've lost your job, you may be happy to discover that there are specific actions you can take to cope with this challenge and get back on your feet.

Keep in mind that, while it's certainly distressing to lose your job, it has the potential to bring you an exciting new beginning. The right attitude can help you immensely in seeing this hardship through!

Here are some things you can do to minimize the damage and come out on top:

• Openly discuss your job loss with your spouse. Since this affects both of you, be sure to make plans together and agree on implementing changes in your spending habits to lessen the impact.

• Evaluate where you stand financially. Determine how much savings you can rely on and what bills are coming due around the corner. Draw up a short-term financial plan to follow while you figure things out. And don't wait to start your job search. 

• Check with your previous employer. Even though your job has ended, the final details are important to your financial future. Be sure you understand your insurance options, such as COBRA, so that you and your family can remain covered without any lapses during your search for a new job. Ask if you can receive a severance package. If one is available, find out every detail, such as beginning and ending dates for each of the benefits. Account for every dollar closely.

• Apply for unemployment benefits from your state. Most states offer online applications to help expedite the process and get you enrolled quickly. Unemployment benefits can bring in some much-needed income while you're job hunting.

• Update your resume. If you don't have a resume -- or you need help updating it, reach out to a professional resume writer. A resume writer can also help you strategize how to talk about your job loss in an interview.

• Develop an unflagging optimism about this opportunity you've been given. Yes, this is a very difficult time, and it would be easy to be discouraged and down. But your attitude is important in the job search. Offer positive, affirming thoughts to yourself and your family to keep everyone's spirit high. Positive thinking can make a huge difference on how quickly you find the right job. Enthusiasm will impress prospective employers much more than if you sink into a negative outlook and carry it with you (even unintentionally) during interviews.

• Talk about your unemployment with your kids, too. Your children should know that times are a little tougher and that you need to cut back on spending. Reassure them that things will be okay and use age-appropriate information so as not to stress or scare them.

• Consider all options. Many times in life, what initially appears to be negative ends up being a blessing in disguise, and losing your job is no exception. Perhaps you weren't completely happy with your job, but were hesitant to leave it. Now that the decision has been made for you, you finally have the opportunity to try out a new profession or company. The possibilities are endless. You can even use a layoff as an opportunity to explore a new area of the country, travel the world for a new job, or work online. (But again, don't put off your job search in the meantime!)

You can find success in the face of adversity. As long as you think positively and work hard, don't be surprised if you come out of this entire experience better off than you were before!

Four Things To Set You Apart In Your Job Search

Unfortunately, with the current state of the economy, many people find themselves looking for a job. If that includes you, it's important that you stand out from the crowd. You have to prove to your prospective employer that hiring you would be adding an asset to their company.

These suggestions may make finding that job just a bit easier:

• Social networking. Social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter can all help you with your job search. Many people use these sites to chat with long lost friends or find old loves, but they are also great places to find employment as well by making connections. It won't help overnight, but work to build relationships and let your network know you're looking for work.

• Offer your services for free. Okay, I know what you're thinking: why should you work for free when you don't have a job? Aren't you supposed to be making money with your skills and talents? Yes, but offering your services for free for can actually work in your favor and set you apart from your competition. Are you a talented childcare professional looking to get your foot in the door of a local child care center? Or an awesome chef who would love to work in a new restaurant in town? Offer to work for them for a week for free. If you're pleased with your work, you may be hired on permanently. The most important thing is to remember that you have to be a top-notch volunteer for that entire week. You want them to discover what an asset you would be as a paid employee.

• Write to prospective employers. Compose a letter to businesses that you're seriously interested in. In the letter, highlight how you'll boost business for the company and discuss what you would bring to the table. Focus on the value you can bring to their company -- helping them make money, save money, save time, or solve a specific problem. You're not begging for a job. Lay out your case. Make sure the letter is professional, grammatically correct, and confident.

• Do it the old fashioned way. In this generation of emails and online applicant tracking systems, your resume can easily get lost in the shuffle. Something to consider is to dress professionally and hit the pavement. Introduce yourself, shake hands, and hand them a well-prepared resume package. Building relationships with someone is an important part in standing above the crowd. It also allows a manager to put a face to a resume rather than just see a resume come across email. Though it may take a bit of footwork and perseverance, this may be your perfect way to make an impression when applying for a coveted job. (Note: This works better in small companies than in Fortune 100 companies where it would be hard to get past the security guard at the front desk.)

Looking for a job today can be challenging, but thinking a bit differently than other job hunters may be all you need to get that position you've been hoping for. Stand out from your competition with these great tips, and be the one who lands the job!