New Grads in Job Market Need to be Aware of Scams


NEW GRADS IN JOB MARKET NEED TO BE AWARE OF SCAMS

By Stuart Esrock, Ph.D.

While it is exciting to be graduating, launching your career, and looking for your first entry-level job, it’s also a time for you to be on-guard. That’s because typically this is also a time of year when fraudsters circulate bogus job opportunities. 

Most employment scams utilize the Internet and often involve email to potential victims.  Here are some signs that you should exercise extreme caution:

  • High pay with little work
  • Requirements that you cash checks and wire money
  • Poor grammar or punctuation
  • Offers of a job without even interviewing you
  • “Website” is actually an email address
  • The office listed does not exist by that name and/or no employer information is listed
  • No telephone number or physical address is listed
  • “USA” is included in address which is usually an indication authors are from outside the country and potentially trying to scam you
  • And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true

You can avoid becoming a victim by pro-actively searching for positions utilizing established career management platforms and job listings, and employing other savvy job search practices like networking. The UofL career centers including Business, Engineering, Law and the University Career Center urge you to think critically and be vigilant as you search for your first job, so you don’t fall prey to scammers. 

Here are some resources to help you protect yourself: 

And, if you ever feel a position is questionable but you are not sure, please contact the University Career Center and ask!