5 Ways to Spot a Fake Job Posting

Fake job postings are not new. However, since online job postings are now so common, this crime is on the rise. The average loss per victim from these online crimes is about $3,000. Here are some tips and ways to spot a fake job posting and avoid being scammed.

Punctuation, Grammar, and Other Errors: While not everyone is a grammar expert, the posting should come across as professional and polished. If the flyer, website or email is full of punctuation and grammatical errors, strange capitalizations, misspellings, or other inconsistencies, it should be an early red flag. Other red flags: any misspellings of the company name, key software required for the job, the job title itself, or common sites like Google and Yahoo should encourage you to not apply.
Informal Job Description, Requirements, or Hiring Process: It’s not just the grammar and spelling that show you if a job is real. Sometimes the description and requirements of the job will be a clue. If the “requirements” are basic elements that most adult applicants would achieve, like being over 18, being a US citizen, and having internet access, the job is potentially a scam. These requirements don’t tell the hiring manager anything about your qualifications or work experience, a clear sign they are more concerned with getting your personal information than giving you a job.
Requests for Confidential Information: Confidential information that can be requested as part of a fraudulent job posting includes your bank account information, credit card number, or Social Security Number. While it’s true that real jobs will collect this information from you to complete a background check or set up direct deposit, this should never be part of the preliminary application process.
Fee Requirements: You should not have to pay for the company equipment before you begin.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t: If the responsibilities sound amazingly easy, especially in comparison with the salary, this is a sign the job is too good to be true, meaning it probably isn’t!

Read more about, “How to Spot Fraudulent Job and Internship Postings”, here.

The photo below is an example of a recent flyer passed out in classes. The Career Hub would never sanction this type of recruiting tactic. Please notify the Career Hub if you have any questions.

FAQs

When can I start working with the Career Hub?

Our team is excited to work with you wherever you happen to be on your career journey – exploratory students and students who are already admitted to the O’Neill School. We regularly work with graduate students the summer before they arrive on campus to help them get a head start in their career exploration. You can come by the Studio or call the office to schedule an appointment with a Peer Educator or a Career Consultant.
If I’m not currently in Bloomington, can I still use your services?

Yes! Simple call or email the office to get connected to a Peer Educator or a Career Consultant. We do phone and Zoom appointments.
What kinds of internships do students complete?

We encourage our students to use internships to explore career options, develop professional skills, and build their network of industry experts. You can explore past internships by degree on our O’Neill Internship Outcomes page.
What types of employers recruit at the O’Neill School?

Our recruiting partners come from all sectors, and from all across the nation. Examples of our partners are: ● Grant Thornton ● The American Red Cross ● Seattle Opera ● Deloitte ● Claro Healthcare ● Environmental Protection Agency ● Government Accountability Office ● California Legislative Analyst’s Office ● Eli Lilly ● Oracle ● USAID ● Salesforce ● Crowe, LLP ● CCS Fundraising
What graduate schools do students go to after graduation?

Our graduates pursue advanced degrees in a variety of disciplines including law, finance, business administration, information systems, and environmental science. They attend programs across the nation, some examples include:
● Indiana University ● Boston University ● DePaul University ● University of Southern California ● Carnegie Mellon University ● Duke University ● Fordham University ● George Washington University ● Yale University ● American University
How does the Career Hub partner with faculty?

Our students benefit from world-renowned faculty who are not only gifted researchers and instructors, but who understand the importance of helping our students become career ready. Faculty share their industry connections with us, host employers as guest lecturers in their classes, host and attend employer site visits with their students, moderate alumni panels, and often drop in at career events to talk with industry insiders.
Will the Career Hub help me connect with alumni?

Yes! Our team hosts alumni for on-site and virtual events throughout the year. We are intentional about providing opportunities to connect with alumni from each of the career communities. Our team will also make introductions virtually and help you research and begin communicating with alumni as you explore your career options.
How closely does the Career Hub work with other schools on campus?

All the career services offices on the Bloomington campus work closely together. Directors from each of the schools meet monthly, and campus-level committees made up of members from each school also meet monthly to align campus-wide efforts for career education and employer relations. This allows each school to provide specialized coaching to its students while maintaining the same level of excellence in service and support across campus.