The internet gave job seekers the liberty to scan hundreds to thousands of job ads. Employers have the liberty to select the best candidates. However, that freedom of easy access also opens the door for those with nefarious intent. Here are the red flags to watch out if the job ads you found in newspaper classifieds and job board, are genuine or just looking for their next victim. Beware that con men are getting more sophisticated.   Inflated number of recruits Job scams tend to exaggerate the number of recruits to attract more applicants. The real number of required personnel is different from a genuine advertisement. You can find such bogus job ads on Facebook and even in some job boards. One of the examples is the Mushroom-picker in Canada vacancies for Filipinos that was posted on Facebook pages. The job ad turned the legit number (about 14) into hundreds of vacancies.    Too good to be true Too good to be true job offers refers to the inflated salaries of a certain job that turned out to be bogus upon thorough research. Such jobs pay well and at the same time, no experience required and very flexible. While the pay scale differs among companies and cities, there’s an industry standard for the said position. One example, a Filipino guy (Mr.A) who was nearly scammed when he was offered via email of a high paying job in the United Kingdom.  It started this way. The job was an airport ground CSR. It pays well - around £ 5,000 per month. MR.A received instructions telling him to answer the online questionnaire. He complied by sending back the answered questionnaire. After two days, the advertiser told Mr. A passed the test and now he will be offered a job. The advertiser also sent letters with a UK government sea. Later, Mr A asked for advice from his best friend who told him that the job ad (offer) was a bogus one. His best friend discovered glaring grammatical, typo errors and similar modus from previously identified scam jobs.    Fees for processing, registrations, tests and software for freelance Bogus jobs will immediately ask for fees so that you can secure the positions or else - you lose the opportunity. They use a psychological trick of scarcity and immediacy by imposing time/vacancy limits so that you can quickly consider their offer or reduce your time to rethink or doubt. It’s like picking a rare product that everyone wants and that you must act buy ASAP or else you lose it. The scam artists may tell you to do their bidding by asking you to send credit/debit card details and send money through PayPal.  A fake job ad will require you to pay some kind of license to start working. Another example of a bogus employer is enticing a freelance applicant to pay for software. They would tell the job seeker to buy the work at home program and such fees will be reimbursed after the first paycheck. After paying, the said job and software never materialized. Scammers often make impostor Facebook pages akin to the real or official FB pages. There, the con men can use their new platform to harvest personal info and post ads asking for a registration fee. The short reminder about jobs that require you to pay - You don’t pay the employers, real jobs pay you.    Unsolicited job hunt: You didn’t contact them; they contacted you You may receive a job offer or an interview out of the blue even if you can’t recall when or where you applied. You can’t recall what kind of job board you signed up, or you received such popping job ad from a job site that you haven’t used for more than 3 years.    Interviews are online or there's no interview needed Unless you’re applying for a remote or freelance job, fake employers will just stick to online interviews. Con men could either use online interviews via messaging services or say - there’s no interview needed, you passed already.   Vague employer details Beware of job ads that don’t mention the job descriptions, experiences and place of work. Likewise, employer details are sketchy - no official website, office address or plainly with a hidden business name. On the other hand, con men can imitate the real company’s website and use such duplicate to trick applicants. Q & As  Questions Examples and description Does the company have an official email? Most or all companies use their official domain email address rather than the generic ones. For example, abccorp@gmail.com versus hr@abccorp.com  Do they have locations? Their office can’t be found both in search engine maps and physical address. Are there any discrepancies in company website and spelling? Awesome.com versus awesom.com   Unprofessional correspondence Whether it’s email or a letter, anything a written communication with glaring typos on job descriptions could be made by a software translator or someone who doesn’t care about the writing standards. Grammatical mistakes may not be the perfect signs of identifying scam artists but they are commonly found in the identified scam letters.   Exists in various type ○   Data entry scams - This one promises big bucks and a job that doesn’t need skills or some sort of skills set. Then it asks for an upfront fee for the program and training. If you fall for this one, you’ll soon realize that the promised program and training didn’t materialize. ○   Pyramid marketing - Pyramid marketing or scheme is an unsustainable or shaky business model that involves upline or top-level members who pay an upfront fee and in turn have their new underlings to recruit newbies. Pyramid marketing relies on recruitment fees and not from the sale of services or goods.  ○   Pyramid marketing with bogus business - They have a similar scheme to pyramid marketing in terms of recruitment. Their business model uses non-existing services. One example is an unlicensed and non-accredited multi-booking service. ○   Fake job offers and ads in social media - Fraudsters imitate official pages of DOLE, POEA, other government agencies and companies. The Philippine daily inquirer reported one incident when a bogus FB page posting as the DOLE central office used a false name to scam a job seeker. The scammer asked for a reservation fee (1,000 Php) from the victim who then later discovered that the said name of the government employee wasn’t among the roster of DOLE employees and sadly the job advertised.  ○   Jobs that charge for testing fees - Test fees for applicants before or after the interview.  ○   Shady jobs - These jobs could offer a job but hides their illicit method of qualifying applicants such as paying for IDs and registration. In the end, after you become an employee, you’ll be surprised that your salary is below than what you expected.   How to outwit scammers Remember the rule  Remember, as a job seeker, you are looking for a job so that you can earn your money or living and not the other way around. You're not the one who is going to pay money. It’s the employer’s business to pay you money in exchange for your time and services.   Do not give in to the sense of urgency Here’s a psychological one. Con artists make a sense of urgency by sending job ads that demand immediate need or deployment. They will tell you that what they offer are only limited and if you don’t act today, you’ll risk losing an opportunity. Others will come out of the blue and convince you to work for them and that if you act today you’ll get a paycheck after 2 or more weeks of working. Then, after you contact these scam artists to asks for your pay, they’ll no longer respond to your calls or emails. If you face such possible scam with a sense of urgency, think twice before you sign up or typing your bank card details. We often make wrong moves after we make hasty decisions.   Research the company Does the company have a professional website? Are there any grammatical mistakes or typos? You can use the search engine (Google, Yandex, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo) to look for mixed or different results. Use social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte) forums and blogs to uncover more details about the company.  ○ Look in the left of the URL. A website with https tag is more secure and trustworthy. It’s also called Secure Socket Layer or SSL. A padlock icon represents this security sign although more sophisticated forge padlock sign . So use a combo of research and verification methods. ○ Find the company’s postal address - Suspicious companies and fake ads have mismatched postal address or don’t have physical contact address at all.  ○ Read reviews - You could run into reviews of complaints unless you’re reading fake reviews. ○ Check the website through Who.Is - Here you can verify the websites registration info (date of website or domain registration).. ○ Use domain white pages - Job con-artists are getting more sophisticated so they set up phishing website or websites that look identical to the real ones. Use it to see all the domain info of that website. Suspicious looking websites could be a year or less than a year old.   Verify the company’s social media site The easy and fast sign ups lead to some social media accounts masquerading as DOLE, POEA and other official company’s accounts. Use the word “official” along with the “Facebook page name of a government agency or company when searching through search engines (Google, Yandex, Yahoo). Examples of Genuine/official social media pages versus impostors Genuine/official social media page of a government agency or company  Impostor social media accounts   DOLE - https://www.facebook.com/laborandemployment/   Dole Job Assistance-Local and Abroad POEA    https://www.facebook.com/poea.gov.ph/ POEA Job Hirings in New Zealand POEA Jobs Online OFW POEA Jobs Abroad POEA Jobs Abroad POEA Job Hiring USA POEA Job Hiring Australia POEA Job Hiring UK POEA Job Agency Hiring POEA Trabaho Abroad Hiring POEA Jobs in Dubai Work Abroad-POEA Licensed Company POEA Accredited Licensed Agency (1)   Spotting a bogus social media accounts versus genuine social media accounts   Genuine/official social media page of a government agency or company  Impostor social media accounts Blue checkmark - Blue checkmarks can be found in the pages of big brands and some companies. Also, the verified blue checkmark can be found in FB search results. Note: Blue checkmarks aren’t a perfect test nor an absolute sign of legitimacy because there are some genuine FB pages without verified checkmarks.  There’s no verified blue checkmark Review section - The page may or might not contain the review section but it may contain messages from recent, current and past customers. There could be some negative reviews but that would tell about customer service issues, not scams. If a Facebook page makes up a review section, then there could be some reviews from people telling that the page is fake. You may also find comments that warn people against the said page. Outbound link - The Facebook page/twitter comprises a link to the official website. The fake page comprises a link that leads to a dead or phishing website. Number of followers/likers - In Facebook and Twitter, more followers could number tens of thousands to a hundred thousand or more. Again, the number of followers/likes is not an absolute benchmark of legitimacy. The number of likes and followers may number a hundred or less.   Never give your personal info Scam job pages and posts on Facebook pages may run surveys and contests that ask for photos, numbers, emails and other personal info. Personal info includes the following: Home address Bank account number  SSS number TIN number Passport number Credit card number Ask for a contract A legal and signed contract details all the tasks, terms and conditions, and the rights of both parties (you and the employer). If they can’t give a contract or gives a contract with so many discrepancies and suspicious details, then be on guard. Be wary that even some legit employers do not disclose the exact working hours other than those stated in the contract. For instance, there are employers and recruiters (some jobs in the Middle Eastern countries) to state 8 hours working time in the contract while in fact, it’s topped with 4 hours overtime resulting in a 12 hours work. Reference:  1 - https://globalnation.inquirer.net/181944/fake-poea-social-media-pages-listed  

Rejection, whether it’s romantic or favours isn’t easy to take. In fact, it feels the same as physical pain. Scientists put participants under MRI and asked the people to recall their recent rejection experiences. They discovered a remarkable result - the rejection activated the same areas of the brain when under physical pain.  When you’re turned down for a job, it can impact your self-esteem, self-worth and motivation. The good news - those negativities only exist in your mind and you can do things to lessen their impact on your will to succeed. A job may or might not for everyone and not all can be accepted. These are some of the common fears of job hunting. •   Embarrassment •   Failing the interview •   Fear of rejection •   Fear of not landing the job you’re looking for •   Fear of change 1. Make a plan B or a contingency plan Plan B means a second option that can serve as your second opportunity in case things go wrong. It’s likely that you can get two or more interviews when you send multiple applications using a laser technique versus a shotgun technique (sending to specific applications versus sending to unrelated applications).   You can either squeeze two interviews in one day (if they are short and within the same area) or reserve one interview in the following day unless that interview is very urgent - therefore making it a priority. Likewise, don’t put all eggs in one basket. Expand your opportunities and choices by using an effective job search because concentrating all your hopes in one vacancy could be devastating if you fail compared to a situation when you knew that you have 4 or more interviews waiting in your calendar plan. Sources of plan Bs Personal networks from friends, ex-coworkers, co-applicants, and family Trade associations ​​Government agencies Public Employment Service Office by DOLE Part-time jobs to cover your expenses while job hunting 2. Ask for feedback Thank the interviewer or hiring manager for inviting and giving an opportunity. You can stand out among the applicants because few candidates send a thank you verbally or even a thank you letter to the human resources. Sending a thank you letter means you increase your visibility among seekers. Ask the interviewer for feedback as it can give you info where you failed and what to do with it. Some companies give e-books or guides for the specific skill so that when you apply next time, you’re more ready. Others will give feedback right away along with the rejection letter. On the other hand, some won’t provide feedback. More companies are looking to the database/records of rejected applicants and try to call them after a few months or year. They could ask if you’re still interested in or looking for a job. Thank the interviewer ​​Give them a choice of providing feedback without a demanding tone such as “If you have feedback for me, I’d love to know and use it to improve and make myself a strong candidate.”​   3. Analyze what you can and can’t control Knowing the things you can and can’t control in your job quest, can help you become more objective and easily handle job rejections. Things you can control Things you can’t control Your perseverance and efforts to make networks Being turned down because of someone inside the company or organization favoured the other candidate who happens to be a relative or close friend of that employee/hiring personnel. Your reaction and how you market your transferable skills. Job hunting efforts Job market and trends Your preparation and performance and for an interview Job competition Professional behaviour in all situations Unprofessional employer and interviewer 4. Avoid myths that can hinder your job application Believing or practising these myths can reduce your chances of getting a job.  Apply to vacancies as many as possible - Blasting resumes to numerous recruiters and vacancies as many as possible could lead to multiple interviews and email replies but such 'shotgun' approach can sacrifice quality applications. You might waste your time and resources attending to job opportunities that you don't like. And they would end up in ignored folder of recruiter's email. You don’t need cover/application letter - While employers read straight to your resume, cover letters communicate your intention to apply. One resume fits for all - Not every resume are made equal.  A specific resume tailored to a specific qualification can help you get closer to your job. Follow up means nagging - Without follow-ups, you can lose chances of being hired or getting a job in the near future. There are hundreds of applicants vying for that position. Send a sweet and short thank you letter to express your interest and gratitude for the opportunity. No one can find my online activities - The sense of privacy and anonymity can make up for the sense of overconfidence in social media posting. But anything you post online can be noticed on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn streams. What you post could influence the hiring personnel’s decision. 5. Strengthen your confidence Confidence, according to Psychology today, is the state of being when you believe in your ability to meet challenges or the unknown during the course of action of your choosing. Build your confidence by identifying issues and taking actions. Issues Action Anxiety before a job interview Breathe and exhale to reduce anxiety. Use these breathing exercises. Prepare for the interview by researching the job and the company, researching the right answers for interview questions. Imagine that you are a known public speaker or a politician that uses hand gestures. Anxiety during an interview Use appropriate gestures while explaining or remembering. Using hand gestures can help you express your ideas, thoughts and decrease your anxiety levels. Rest your clasped hands in your lap to avoid subconscious squirming and hair twirling. Speak slowly since rapid and hurried speaking is a sign of nervousness. Pause between topic or the during course of speaking. This can help you avoid veering off the topic. Unsure about the dress code Clarify the dress code to the company or interviewer. Most or all sales, marketing and hospitality industry require a strict dress code (long sleeves, slacks, suits, ties) while some information technology companies are quite lax on their dress code. Unsure about the knowledge of the company Research the company Negative self-talk Use self-affirmations that are a list of sentences meant to be repeated and reread daily. Once you got used to saying the self-affirmations, your brain will unconsciously believe them. Here’s an awesome list of self-affirmations.  

Since our economy and way of living rely on the free market, being unemployed sucks. If you or your friend is unemployed, these things could happen: Loss of income - No stable and reliable source of income means lower or zero purchasing power, you can’t buy goods and services. Social costs - Unemployment is related to poverty and property crimes. Loss of government revenue - The government can’t collect taxes or meet a required tax revenue since people are unemployed. Depression and personal problems - Long term unemployment can lead to lower self-esteem, stress, social stigma, loss of peace of mind, depression, and reduced mental health.   As an employed individual, you can help your unemployed friend. Ask your friend if he/she needs help and then offer a helping hand. You’ll be remembered for the good things you did. Generous people are happier than selfish individuals and that’s a fact. 1. Refer to a network You could have a close friend, a sibling, a fiance, and a relative who is employed in another company with vacancies. You can also refer your friend to your company. A network can help you speed up the hiring process of your friend. You can ask him/her to make a resume to send to your network. You could also assist in writing resume/Curriculum vitae. 2. Refer to a part-time job You could have a part-time job and you can refer him/her. These part-time jobs might be online jobs (writing, SEO, graphic design, programming, data scraping). Part-time jobs are quick and can provide a quick way to earn a side income to cover monthly bills, rental, transport, mobile, and food while looking for a full-time job. 3. Use a job search site If your friend is unaware or inactive in a job search site, you can join a job search account such as Oh! Jobs.ph. It’s a job search portal where you can look for a comprehensive list of local and international job vacancies. Making an account is free and also you can help in updating employment details.   4. Give advice and job hunting guide references Finding a job is not as simple as applying for a vacancy and showing up for an interview, you need to be ready before an interviewer, dress professionally, and answer questions properly. You might have a bunch of ebooks or physical books that you can send or lend to your friend.  References: Interview guide - Theinterviewguys.com   Guides from Rappler Dress guide -  Men’s guide   Women’s guide Researching the company - Wikihow 5. Empathize and be there You can add support to your unemployed friend by providing emotional support. Empathize and be there when they need someone to speak to. You can ask your friend or relative to go with them if they ask (of course - except in interviews).You could go with him/her to attend a job fair or networking event. Who knows, you may get new network, business and career opportunities too. Also, avoid saying things that may hurt his/her feelings such as:  You got tons of free time now. I don’t know why you’re taking so long to find a job. I got mine within 2 weeks. What’s exactly you’re doing all day? Just go with any salary (even if it's mediocre ones). 6. Offer your resume writing and internet/web skills You could be skilled or know some making resumes that include writing, editing, and formatting. You can give advice on how to format resumes according to commonly used types such as chronological, functional, combination and targeted. Offer to take a look at your friend’s resume as this can be helpful in catching typos and grammar errors (having a second pair of eyes works best for editing). You might be savvy on internet and web skills that you can offer your spare time making her/her some online and web-based resume. 7. Get fun together This is the time when you and your friend spend time together to enjoy a fun time without thinking about the worries of job application results and hunting.  Use this free time to visit nature parks and play video games. In fact, parks are boon to health and mental health. Gaming rooms provide fun and problem-solving practice. Several articles described the benefits of parks and games. Dine-in a restaurant or spend time with light drinks together.