Every cloud has a silver lining and the silver lining with high rates of unemployment is a shining beacon for job scam specialists. Nothing is more disheartening for job seekers than to discover that something they thought was a genuine opportunity to get a new position was nothing more than a scheme to take precious resources from them.
There are basically two types of misleading operations taking place. There are companies offering to turn up the volume on your job search. The usual pitch is that you need a professional makeover in order to get that new job. Examples of services that may be offered include a resume makeover, video audition recording, a personal website and access to private job listings that only they have.
The Top Job Scams
There are the tried and true scams that cast a wide net. An article by Carrie Coolidge on AOL posted September 8, 2010 titled "Top 10 Job Scams That Target The Unemployed" goes into some of the evergreen scams that never go away. Some of those tried and true scams include mystery shoppers, envelope stuffing and get government grants. These types of deceptions prey on those looking for anything to get income flowing. The other allure of these types of schemes is anonymity. These types of jobs can be performed without others knowing what is taking place.
Unfortunately, by the time job seekers figure out that nothing will come of their efforts, they have invested time and money that can never be recovered.
Job Scam Whales
This recession has washed out a huge new class of jobless professionals and executives. There are countless professionals in the job market that held jobs from CEOs to engineers. Adding to the issue is the fact that many of the professionals seeking new positions are senior level. These experienced executives and skilled professionals were at the height of their earning power when they lost their jobs. This has turned into a feeding frenzy for the polishers that will approach them in a manner that has the feel of job recruitment interest.
Some of these firms use the same job search boards as employers in order to find targets. Slick marketing materials, online surveys and professional follow-up may mask the true intention of these firms. A presentation video, personal website, resume rework and private job list could cost thousands for some of those services that are available for no cost. Usually the job lists are not special or private.
Protect Yourself
Simply plug the name of the organization that is approaching you and see what type of results come back to you. It will not be uncommon to see the name of the company come up in the search results with the word scam attached. As low and heartless as it seems, to some, the unemployed are just another target for exploitation in the name of profit.
