Nowadays, the job recruitment process often begins and takes place on the Internet. Posting the job opening, submitting applications, conducting interviews (via Skype), and discussing contracts — almost every step of the process, in fact — can now be done online.
Also Read: 10 Tips to Land a Job in the UAE
There are many advantages of online communication in job hunting: speed, affordability, and convenience, to name a few. However, the Internet also involves a disadvantage that has “victimized” many job-seekers in recent years: online recruitment scams.
How to Identify Online Recruitment Scams
To help aspiring job applicants avoid fake job offers, we have put together a list of “warning signs.” If you encounter any of these signs in a “job offer,” then most likely it is not genuine:
#1 – You did not send an application.
Have you ever received an offer for a job that you didn’t apply for? Beware of such e-mails; they could be a scam. You can compare it to a credit card offer that you didn’t apply for in the first place. What should you do with this type of unsolicited mail? Press “Delete” or send it to the “Spam” folder, of course!
#2 – Incorrect grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
This is where your language knowledge comes in handy. A “legit” company often has editors to check their letters and communications. But if a message contains too many errors in grammar and spelling, plus an incorrect or questionable choice of words — trust me, it’s a scam.
#3 – The email address seems “suspicious.”
Take note of the sender’s email address. If it ends with “gmail.com, yahoo.com” and other free email domains, then most likely it’s just made up. Legit companies often pay for web hosting. This enables them to use customized email addresses, which adds credibility.
#4 – The company has a fake physical address.
Anyone can come up with a physical address, but the question is — is it true? Make sure that you are dealing with a real company by checking their “address” on Google Maps or other applications. On the other hand, if the company has no address at all — then it doesn’t exist!
#5 – The offer sounds too good to be true.
A high salary, generous benefits, free board and lodging — it sounds like a dream come true! But wait, what’s the catch? Try to read between the lines and see if there’s anything you’ve missed. If a job offer sounds too good to be true, then it probably isn’t true at all!
#6 – You have to pay a fee.
Beware of any person who demands advanced payment from applicants. Usually, he or she will persuade you into paying a fee, or else you will “lose” the opportunity. You’ll be asked to pay through a remittance center, which can be hard to trace. Don’t give in to such pressure!
By keeping these things in mind, you can avoid becoming a victim of an online recruitment scam. In addition, you should also know these things to be careful of when searching for jobs online. You may also want to check out these job opportunities in Dubai and the UAE.
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