Redefining Recruitment
Redefining Recruitment
Recruitment scams are becoming increasingly common, with fake job adverts and unsolicited job offers populating online. It’s crucial to learn the signs of these scams and recognise red flags in job adverts.
With job adverts, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! The growing interest in remote working has created new opportunities for scammers to exploit jobseekers. We’ve seen an influx of ‘remote’ job adverts that promise high salaries, few working hours, and no experience required. More often than not, these are fake adverts and fraudulent opportunities.
Similarly, if you receive a job offer out of the blue, with no application process, interview, or prior connection, it’s unlikely to be legitimate. Of course, there are occasions when a former colleague or friend may secure a job offer for you—whether it’s through their start-up or their place of work via a recommendation—but these offers still originate from a personal connection. If you’re receiving random job offers from ‘recruiters’ you’ve never spoken to before, it’s probably too good to be true.
Scammers are quick to use business names, logos, and even team members’ names to deceive job seekers. They may use similar but slightly misspelt domain names that appear legitimate at first glance. In the past year, there has been a significant increase in scammers using WhatsApp and text messaging to contact jobseekers with supposed ‘job offers’. They often use the names of well-regarded recruitment agencies and recruiters, communicating only via messages and offering no face-to-face or virtual video meetings.
If you suspect something is wrong, always verify the website, email or telephone number first. Does the text come from the number listed on the company’s Google page or website? Check that the website domain is spelt correctly and verify the domain’s age. Is the website new, despite the company being long-established? Use LinkedIn to verify employee profiles and check if the person who has contacted you is listed as working there. Request a virtual meeting with the person contacting you and ensure they match the individual listed on LinkedIn.
If you have any doubts, contact the company or agency directly using the number listed on their website or Google, and do not click any links or numbers sent to you. Remember, Allstaff Recruitment and any reputable agency will never ask you for any financial commitment or contribution from candidates.
Be aware of Recruitment scams.
