In This Issue

1. Welcome Message

2. How to Spot Scam Jobs

Last week myself (and many other people in my field) were reached out to about a scam job. While none of us fell for it, it was a reminder of just how prevalent they are. I made a video about it and my snarky response to the scammer (who was kicked off Linkedin quickly) here

While my initial instinct was to say, this is obviously a scam and everyone would know that, it was pointed out to me, that to a lot of people who are early in their career, or in dire need of a job, sometimes the obvious signs of a scam are not obvious. So this week let’s talk about ways to spot fake jobs and protect yourself from problems.

Before diving in, it’s important to state that most jobs and recruiter reach outs on Linkeidn are not scams. However if you see red flags being raised, it’s worth checking a few things before proceeding.

7 ways to spot a scam job

1. Email and communication platforms

The scam linked above jumped out to me as a clear scam (among other reasons) by the Outlook email address. There is virtually no reasons for an official outreach to not come from an official company email. Don’t only look for odd emails like Outlook or Gmail, but even a close misspelling of a company email ([email protected] can look very similar to [email protected] at a quick glance.)

It is also rare that a U.S. based company will ask you to do things like download Whatsapp or Telegram to do interviews. Be wary of enterprises that do not have more commonly accepted interview systems like Zoom or Google Meet.

2. Linkedin profile oddities

Did you know you can get info on Linkedin profiles such as how long the account has existed, the last time the profile picture changed, and if the profile has been verified?

Scammers may create a new profile which stands out as the profile has very few connections or was only created recently, but scammers have also gotten good at compromising other accounts through phishing which allows them to use profiles that have more connections and longevity. A recent profile picture change is not an automatic red flag, but it can be. If you notice a recent profile picture change, try running a google image search on the photo. Scammers will often use stock images or a photo you can easily find elsewhere.

3. Beware of too good to be true

The outreach to me was a fully remote full time job that I could do without effecting my current employment.

Or perhaps the salary makes absolutely no sense for the role

Or maybe there is no interview and it’s just an offer on the spot. Or just 1 quick call over Whatsapp followed by an offer.

We all want the too good to be true thing to be true, but it rarely is.

4. Money Talks

Scammers often ask for personal information, such as bank details, upfront fees, or payments for "training materials", or to buy equipment for your new job. Legitimate employers won't ask for money to hire you.

5. Vague or sketchy details

Don't just jump into a job. Investigate the company:

• Check for Company Pages: Legitimate companies usually have well-established LinkedIn pages.

• Research the Website: Look for an official website with contact details and comprehensive information as well as the job you’ve been contacted about.

• Check Spelling and Grammar: Scammers rarely pay attention to details

6. Don’t be afraid to verify

If you really are not sure, reach out to somebody else at the company and verify the outreach. I have heard several stories of candidates reaching out to the company only to find out that they were indeed being scammed.

The company will be thankful, even if they don’t actually have a position to offer you. You may also help prevent others from falling for the same scam.

7. Trust your gut

Intuition is a powerful tool. If something feels off, trust your instincts. LinkedIn is a place for professional connections, not hasty decisions.

Remember, while there are fakes out there, LinkedIn remains a valuable resource for job seekers and professionals. Don't let the fear of scams deter you from leveraging this platform for your career growth.

Stay safe, stay smart, and keep chasing those authentic opportunities

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