Employment Advisor Offers Tips To Avoid Job-Search Scams

July 7, 2010 - PRLog -- The recession has left many people looking for new or better jobs.  However, the recession has also given rise to many scams designed to take advantage of those job-seekers, according to Kay Stout, Executive Advisor and Contributing Editor for the job-seekers’ website, www.employment-essentials.com.

“Often, one’s enthusiasm for finding a new job makes it easy for them to overlook the warning signs of a job-search scam,” Stout noted.  “The jobs offering unrealistic pay for two days work are easy to spot but, in the age of the Internet, con-artists have gotten a lot more advanced and job-seekers need to keep their guard up at all times.”  

Stout suggested taking note of return email address domains, such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail and remember that most legitimate employers and placement firms will use an email address from their company’s domain.  “Job-seekers should also be on the lookout for any firm or recruiter asking for personal information, social security numbers or financial information up-front.”

Job-seekers should also practice caution when choosing a job placement firm, Stout said.  “It’s not uncommon for job-search firms to charge a fee.  However, make sure you meet with them in person and have a full understanding of what you’re paying for before you spend your hard earned money. Never provide money or sensitive information without a face-to-face meeting.”

In addition, just as reputable employers will do their research on you beforehand, Stout suggested job-seekers do their own background check on any potential job opportunity.  “The Internet makes it easy to research businesses, email addresses, and phone numbers,” she said.  “If an Internet search turns up the same, once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity associated with a given company, email, or phone number in several cities over several months then, odds are, that’s a scam.”

Finally, Stout reminded job-seekers to practice common sense.  “Remember that, no matter how much you might want a new job, if an offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true.”

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Kay Stout is a professional Executive Advisor and owner of P S Consulting, an Oklahoma City-based human resources firm offering career counseling, executive placement, and military transition services. The company specializes in consulting advice that will provide the catalyst to help their clients achieve their desired position. She also a contributing Editor to the online job-seekers site, www.employment-essentials.com, which offers tips and helpful information for those looking for a new job or new career. For more information, please visit www.kaystout.net or www.employment-essentials.com.