If someone passing by on the sidewalk asked you for your contact details, would you freely hand them over, no questions asked? Unlikely. So, why is it that when applying for jobs, we give over all kinds of personal information?
Many job hunters are unaware of the risks they face when sending their contact details to unverified sources. However, there are safe spaces where application forms are heavily guarded by data protection laws. For example, you can browse restaurant and bar jobs with verified employers on OysterLink and other reputable job sites.
Knowing where to look and the dangers to be aware of are essential when applying for a job. After reading this article, we hope you’ll be able to search and apply for work opportunities safely.
What is a Verified Employer?
What do we mean by “verified employer”? Well, this refers to checks that online job boards and websites carry out to ensure that the vacancy is legitimate, as well as the company advertising it.
Verified employers often have to provide evidence that they are who they say they are. For example, they should be transparent about their owners, contact details, company registration, and documents that prove they are operating as a legitimate business.
If you apply for work through unverified sources, there’s nothing to protect your data from being passed around and misused. Once scammers have your name and contact information, they can use this for other purposes without your consent.
The Hidden Dangers of Job Hunting
Not only is it a frustrating waste of your time applying for fake job listings, but you are handing over your personal details to an unknown entity. They could be con artists, looking to commit identity fraud, or morally gray organizations selling your details to other scammers.
Vulnerable to Scams
Picture this: you’ve been successful in your job application and sailed through the process without an interview or any kind of test. Seems too good to be true. That’s because it is.
There are job scams operating as pyramid schemes, which require a personal investment or involve recruiting others. Other job scams even involve money laundering, where employees are unaware of their role in illegal operations.
Bombarded by Spam
Less extreme but still infuriating are faux job vacancies that leave you wide open to spam. You might’ve noticed that you are receiving more calls from unknown numbers since starting your job search. Many job hunters eagerly answer these, hoping for a response from a recent application, only to find it is a scam call. So disappointing.
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A verified employer will only use your details to contact you about the role you’ve applied for. Data protection protocols guard every part of the process. You can even tick a box to allow them to retain your contact details should a suitable position arise in the future.
Identity Fraud
When applying for work, ask yourself whether the information being requested is necessary. Do they really need to be supplied with a copy of your passport before the interview stage? If a con artist collects enough of your personal details, they can use this to impersonate you, leaving you with debts from bank accounts or loan applications opened in your name.
How to Safely Apply for Jobs
Con artists prey on people at their most vulnerable. When you are under pressure to find a new job, your judgment might slip. So, before you start your job search, you need to know how to protect yourself and learn how to apply for employment safely. Here’s how you should approach browsing for new opportunities.
Use Reputable Job Search Sites
You may be tempted to look all over for job opportunities, adopting a spray-and-pray approach. However, quality over quantity is key. You may be sending your details to hundreds of fake companies, getting you no nearer to finding the job of your dreams, but dangerously close to being scammed.
Instead, try to focus your job search by using platforms specially geared towards the industry you are interested in. This demonstrates to verified employers that you are clear about the kind of role you are after and are not an inexperienced generalist.
Look for Verified Employers
Specific job platforms will only advertise vacancies from verified employers, making your job hunt easier and safer. Other websites might differentiate verified from unverified employers with a mark next to the company name. You could also explore the company profile and whether they have bothered to add a logo, contact details, and background information.
Conduct Company Research
Broken links to fake websites and email addresses that bounce back are other indicators that a business might not be legitimate. Employ investigative skills to research any company you are applying to work for.
As well as sussing out the scam artists, you can also better understand whether this is a company that shares similar ideals to you. For example, if climate change matters to you, applying for a job with a company linked to fossil fuel production may not be a suitable match.
Selectively Share Details
Typing in your employment history and education is necessary for most job roles at the application stage. Apart from being an arduous task, this shouldn’t raise any red flags. However, the alarm bells should ring if, in the early stages, you are asked for bank account details, identity documents, or payment of any kind.
While you want a job, don’t let your common sense fail you. Ask questions if you are doubtful, as a legitimate organization will happily provide you with answers, and a fake business will show its true colors and end communication with you.