Trainer’s Tips #11: Watch your back!

Be careful on the job search. There are people out there who prey on job seekers. They know that job seekers, especially fresh out of school, tend to be more susceptible.

The positions posted on our Online Job Board have been approved by the Career Services office and I do my best to filter these positions and companies. Be aware that ultimately it is your responsibility to research these companies, verify they are real, and decide whether a position is a fits your needs and serves as a positive step in your career.

Here are some resources to start your research:

Please see the “Fraudulent and Scam Job Postings” guide created by LSU (we were given permission for use) for additional tips and information. It can be found in the “For Students” section of the Career Services MyCapitol page. I will be creating one for Capitol during the summer, that should be available in the Fall.

Other great resources can be found here:

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0243-job-scams#job%20placement

https://www.worldprivacyforum.org/2008/07/jobscamtipspayforwarding/

http://www.rileyguide.com/realjob.html

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0175-work-home-businesses

If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a position that is posted, please request a written job description from the employer and/or website address to visit their company job page before emailing your résumé. This will give you the chance to verify not only that the position is legitimate, but allows you to be fully aware of the job responsibilities for that position.

If the position is with a third-party recruiter such as a recruiting company, the name of the company may not be the same as the company you are applying to. If you are concerned, you have the right to request that Career Services confirm that the position is legitimate. Just send an email to careers@captechu.edu with the name of the position in the subject. I will then email you back to let you know how the process works.

If you find an internship that is unpaid, please know that you have certain rights. To understand your rights as an unpaid intern, please see this website. If you are in an internship that you feel is in violation of the rights listed on this website, please email careers@captechu.edu.

Always hold interviews in a public place or at an organization’s location. We advise against agreeing to an interview in someone's home. If this is ever asked of you, we are happy to supply a space on campus to hold the interview.

If they are requesting an online interview, make sure the email address they are using has the domain name of the company for which you are applying. If their email address is @gmail, @yahoo, or another similar domain, then be wary. You can also google the phone number and address they provide to you to make sure there is actually a company location, not a residence.

I would STRONGLY advise against ever cashing a check sent to you through the mail for you to ‘order supplies’; scammers can and do victimize unsuspecting job seekers by means of check fraud. Lastly, do not provide your social security number or bank information for direct deposit unless you have fully vetted the company AND ensured the individual with whom you are speaking is actually affiliated with that company. Some online applications may request this information, but they are never solicited over the phone or email.

We also strongly advise all students to have a trusted guardian or attorney review all employment documentation and contracts before signing. If you need assistance interpreting a job description or offer, please contact Career Services.

If you are still unsure, please contact Career Services at 240.965.2494 or email careers@captechu.edu to speak with Sarah Alspaw, the Assistant Director of Career Services.

By Sarah Alspaw, Assistant Director of Career Services and Graduate Student Support