Have you ever applied to any job posting and got the response that the position has been filled, only to see the job advert appear again? Sadly you are not the only one. There are hundreds of fake jobs out there and knowing how to navigate through these scams can be quite tricky.
We have met many job seekers in the past who have shared with us similar experiences. We understand how frustrating this can be - especially when you have been running from pillar to post to secure a job offer, or you have spent hours to fill out a laborious application form. This prompted us to write this blog on the truth behind fake job adverts and how job seekers can steer clear of recruitment scams.
Now first things first, why do employers or recruitment agencies post fake job adverts?
In the recent years, there has been a proliferation of fake adverts and increasing numbers of companies are blindly following this bizarre trend. Fake job postings are used to create a pipeline of talent in case there is a need in the future. You meticulously fill out all the marked fields and enter your contact details including email address, phone number and post code – you do all the work without even realising that it’s a mock ad. So this basically saves the company’s time and the information goes straight on to their database.
Sometimes companies put up a fake advert just to wash their hands of favouritism and unfair recruitment practices. In certain jurisdictions, it is a necessary requirement to abide by the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) mandates, whereby employers are obliged to conduct searches both externally and internally. Here companies resort to fake ads to appear ‘fair’.
Another reason for posting fake job ads is to gauge the market value of certain jobs or skills. The number of applications received is directly proportional to the demand of the position in the current job market.
Then, of course, there are dubious people who are looking to collect sensitive information for identify theft or phishing scams. Cyber criminals are notorious for posting fake job ads using a reputed company’s logo and brand image just to trick people into believing the authenticity of an advert.
But the question is: whether or not employers/staffing agencies should be allowed to post fake adverts. No. They should not be. In fact, most regulatory bodies such as APSCo and REC have strict guidelines to prevent the posting of scam job ads. Job boards are also continuously monitoring the job postings and using sophisticated methods to weed out any fake adverts – yet, some scammers still manage to slip through the net.
Therefore, jobseekers need to be aware of recruitment scams and use their knowledge to tell a fake advert from a genuine one.
Although it can be difficult at times to spot a fake advert, here are a few clues to be on the look out for:
Repeated posting of the same job
Badly written job description with spelling mistakes and grammatical errors
Overuse of caps, exclamation marks or numbers – for example, “Jobs” spelled as “J0bs” with a zero.
No mention of qualifications, previous experiences or skills required for the job
Sounds too good to be true – for example, a junior level position states the pay package of an executive level position.
job advert posted by unregistered recruitment agency
Use of free email address like Google, Yahoo or Hotmail – any registered company or staffing agency will always use corporate email address when posting jobs.
They ask for money or credit card details
Some scammers operate highly discreetly and their job adverts can be difficult to screen. So be wary of cyber criminals and dubious organisations when you are job hunting. Even some mainstream high street recruitment agencies follow similar practices.
Do a search on the company or recruitment agency and find out if it’s registered or not. Make sure to verify the job ad before you send off your CV and other details. Sometimes just plain common sense can save you from falling a victim of such scams – if the job offer is too good to be true, then take it as a warning sign. Trust your instincts!
Established in 1990, we are a registered recruitment company with offices in 11 international locations and connections over 55 jurisdictions. As affiliated members of APSCo (Association of Professional Staffing Companies), we abide by the highest standards of recruitment ethics and are committed to delivering reliable, efficient and professional services to our clients and candidates alike.
All our job adverts are written by experienced recruiters who boast an in-depth understanding of the job market and the requirements of the roles within their specialised sectors. We follow a standard client confidentiality procedure but provide all the required details to job seekers, so that both the parties are in a state to make an informed decision. We advertise real jobs and make it clear if the advert is more generic where a skills gap has been identified in the market.
Speak to us today to discuss your career options!