01/27/2026
PSA:
Job scams and fake recruiters are unfortunately an issue in today’s job market and they are targeting jobseekers in many ways but especially those looking for “remote” roles so, as we head into the weekend, I wanted to share some tips and red flags to be on the lookout for while job searching:
Red Flags in Job Postings or Messages from “Recruiters”
Vague Job Descriptions:
Legitimate postings typically provide clear job responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements. If the posting lacks detail or sounds too generic, it might be a scam.
Unrealistic Promises:
Offers of extremely high salaries, flexible hours, or quick hiring without much effort can be suspicious, especially for entry-level roles.
Request for Payment or Sensitive Information:
No legitimate employer will ask for payment (i.e. training, equipment, or application fees) or sensitive personal information (i.e. Social Security Number, bank account details) early in the hiring process. Avoid ones that want you to submit your credit score but only by using the link they provide.
Unprofessional Communication:
Check for typos and grammatical errors in the posting or subsequent communication from them. Many scammers are from outside the US and will use existing job postings that they will try to translate back into English to post.
Anonymous or Inconsistent Contact Information:
Be cautious if the “employer” uses free email accounts (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) instead of a corporate domain or if their contact information is inconsistent or missing. Scammers will use only chat, email or WhatsApp to communicate.
Immediate Job Offers Without Interview:
Genuine companies usually conduct interviews and may also involve assessments or reference checks. Those that ask for your resume and go right to an offer are simply trying to bait you to then provide your personal information for “onboarding.”
No Online Presence or Poor Website:
Legitimate companies generally have a professional website, social media presence, and verifiable online information. Recruiters should have a phone number to contact them at, not just an email address.
Steps to take to research a company and/or recruiter:
Research the Company:
Look up the company’s website, LinkedIn profile, and reviews on platforms like Glassdoor or Indeed.
Investigate the Job Poster:
On LinkedIn, look up the recruiter or hiring manager. Check for a consistent work history and connection to the company. I suggest not just clicking on their profile in the job posting but doing a name search….I had a scammer use a legitimate company’s employee name but when I found the actual employee, the title was wrong. Legitimate Recruiters usually also have a high number of LinkedIn connections - anything under 200, I would be suspicious.
Ask Direct Questions:
In emails or interviews, ask detailed questions about the role, company culture, and hiring process. Scammers often struggle to provide convincing answers.
Cross-Verify the Posting:
If you found the job on a third-party website, verify if it’s listed on the company’s official career site, especially if the job posting re-directs you to another site to apply that doesn't look familiar or doesn't show towards the bottom of the screen that its using an ATS program - you will notice some may say "Powered by Workday" or something similar. The most common ATS platforms that companies use are: Greenhouse, JazzHR, JobVite, Workday, Rippling, iCIMS, Workable and Bullhorn.
If something feels off, trust your instincts and avoid sharing personal information or continuing the process until you verify the employer’s legitimacy.
If you are still in doubt, reach out to me and I will help you research to see whether or not it is legitimate.
If you are using LinkedIn’s Open to Work in public mode, also be cautious of people reaching out to you with resume services that talk about “beating the ATS.” They will try to scare you into thinking your resume in the reason why you aren’t getting interviews. Many of these companies are simply just interested in selling a service and don’t even understand “how” the ATS works or how us Recruiters use it to view and search for applicants.
You can set it to “private mode” and recruiters using LinkedIn Talent Solutions WILL still be able to see that you are looking for work.
