Is the Opportunity Legitimate?

Posted by Krista at 12:08 am

While the economy is slow to recover the unemployed continue to be a target for scams and illegitimate job opportunities.   Job seekers need to be on the lookout for these types of ads. So how do you know if the opportunity is legitimate, or just a scam?

Google it. First and foremost you should Google any information you can about the ad, such as the company name or position title. If there seems to be an excessive amount of negative press, you might want to take a pass. If you want to get straight to the point, try researching the company on sites like ripoffreport.com, or checking the Better Business Bureau.

Too good to be true. If it sounds too good to be true, there is a good chance it is! If the job promises you will make a tremendous amount of money in a small amount of time, or with only a few hours a month from home, it’s probably not legitimate. These types of jobs sound great – we all want to work from home and be rich – but unfortunately are very unlikely.

Money is due upfront. Some people might ask for fees for services or down payments for a business opportunity. Either way, if someone asks you for money before providing any service, be weary. Just because you pay someone, doesn’t mean an opportunity is a good one.

They ask for personal information. Asking for your social security number, or worse your credit card info, could be a big red flag. Most jobs don’t require your social security number until they have made an offer or requested a background check. If you are concerned about the information a company is asking from you, make sure you get all of your questions answered first.

For more tips on job searching, visit the StratStaff blog.