When looking for jobs there is no better source of jobs than searching online. The internet has made it easier to access jobs and to apply to them. Unfortunately the internet has a dark side and many of us have heard of someone who has been caught in a scam when applying for a job online. Sadly, there are some unscrupulous actors who prey on the desperation of jobseekers to either con them out of money or steal their personal details for other fraudulent activity. 

Here are some red flags to look out for when looking for jobs online:

• The job ad is hiring many people for the same role. If you see a job that reads “30 graduates required” or “We are hiring 10 marketers at company X” then you should steer clear.
• The job ad specifically states No Experience Necessary. This is a clear indication that the advertiser is casting their net far and wide to catch as many people as possible in their scam.
• The salary offered does not match with the experience required. If a job ad is offering mouth-watering salaries for junior or entry level positions, it is definitely a red flag.
• The application email is an online email service provider. Large or well known companies will only use company email addresses for collecting applications, but usually would direct you to their career website where you can apply online. Avoid sending your CV to public email addresses like Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail.
• The company is advertising on social networks. Large and trusted companies do not usually post individual jobs on social media sites. Use well known job portals such as Careers24 and company career pages to find jobs you can trust.
• The hiring person contact number is a cellphone number. Hirers generally do not usually have initial contact via phone, and if they do it is usually from the company land line.
• The company is asking for fees to apply to onboard including application or visa fees. Not only is it dodgy, it is actually illegal to charge candidates to apply!
• The company makes you an offer without interviewing you. It is unlikely that a company will make an offer sight-unseen. A key part of the hiring process is ensuring the candidate is the right fit for the job, and this includes interviews and checks.

Here are some tips to follow to ensure you do not get scammed.

• Check the contents of a job ad for clues that it is a genuine job ad. Avoid ads hiring many people, that require no experience or where the salary advertised is too good to be true. A job ad with bad grammar or spelling mistakes is also a clear indicator of a dodgy job.
• If you are unsure if the ad is legit, Google the company and visit their website to see if the job is being advertised there. If in doubt call them on their office number to check if the job is genuine.
• If you are asked to send a CV, strip out personal information that is not needed. This can include your identify number, home address and other identifiable personal information. Remember a CV is meant to be a guide for recruiters to assess only your skills and relevant experience. Your CV contains a ton of personal information that could be used by the wrong people to impersonate you, so share it sparingly.
• Never accept a job offer without an interview and never, ever pay any fee for applying for a job or accepting a job offer. It is illegal to charge a candidate to apply and no legitimate company will do this.

Remember, if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

Happy job hunting.