Don’t get duped: Beware of these job scam warning signs amid unemployment surge [Expert] 

More than 156,000 jobs were lost in the UK compared to the previous three-month period, marking the biggest fall since August last year. As companies continue to lay off workers and the unemployment figure rises to 4.2% – the highest since the summer of 2023 – job scammers are turning their bait in hopes of cashing in on job seekers. desperate work.

More than 30% of UK adults have encountered some type of employment scam, with one in five targets suffering an average financial loss of around £2,300. To prevent serious job seekers from falling prey, the business building experts at Wix.com have offered top tips on how to identify fake job ads as well as advice on how to create one. Excellent resume to impress employers right from the start.

Don’t be fooled: Job listings have red flags to watch out for, according to experts

Vague job descriptions with promises that are too good to be true

A legal job description should clearly state the job duties. You shouldn’t guess what the role entails or what your day-to-day work will involve. Job listings advertising lavish benefits, short hours and sky-high salaries for people with little or no experience should raise alarm bells about potential scams.

While remote work is increasingly popular these days, scammers often use buzzwords like ‘flexible’, ‘work from home’, ‘earn $XXX’ to attract unwitting candidates . Stay away from job postings that give the impression of get-rich-quick schemes: if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Fake web addresses are created to deceive

Nearly three million new phishing and fake websites were discovered in the first half of 2023. Job scammers often use fake company website URLs in their posts to give the illusion of legitimacy .

Check the domain name for any slight variations and check the age of the domain name as fake websites are often short-lived. Take that extra step to investigate employees’ online presence and LinkedIn profiles – a reputable company usually has an official website and active social media accounts.

Unprofessional communication with poor language quality

Be skeptical of unorthodox methods of applying for jobs and communicating via messaging apps, as scammers often exploit these platforms to hide their identities. Legal organizations often limit the use of personal email for work-related communications because they consider it unprofessional; and always request an in-person or Zoom interview to accurately evaluate candidates.

Furthermore, be wary of job postings that contain many grammatical errors, misspellings, and incomplete sentences as trustworthy companies are unlikely to risk their reputation by publishing fake job postings. drop.

An unsolicited job offer falls right into your lap

Imagine you suddenly see an email or text from a recruiter offering you a job – keep the excitement and proceed with caution. In recent tactics, scammers have impersonated reputable companies, sometimes even using the names of real employers to build trust. These offers often come through social media platforms like Whatsapp, Telegram or Facebook, promising lucrative job opportunities without requiring you to go through the application process and interview stages normally. Such unexpected offers will make you wary.

List related to currency trading

Scammers often seek to lure hopeful job seekers into paying for seemingly reasonable items such as training materials, certificates, ‘work from home kits’, office supplies and software. However, remember, you are looking for a job to get paid, not to pay the company.

Legitimate hiring managers do not require candidates to pay training or application fees. Be cautious if a company asks for your personal bank account information upfront, sensitive information is not included in the initial recruitment stage – keep job searching and stay away from requests so.

Long gone are the days when a black and white resume was enough in today’s fiercely competitive job market. Recognizing this new reality, the business building experts at Wix.com have provided additional guidance on how to create a successful online resume to help your talents and skills stand out from the crowd.

Expert advice on how to build a stellar online resume

Customize your resume to reflect your personality

Resumes should never be stereotyped; Avoid generic and splashy formats by presenting a functional and visually appealing online resume. With so many free and professional resume website templates available online, simply choose one that suits your style and profession, then tailor it to showcase your skills and experience. your.

Depending on your preferences, consider whether a long scrolling page for a quick overview or an expansive site with pages dedicated to different projects will best suit your needs. .

SEO optimized and mobile friendly

Increase the visibility and accessibility of your online resume by optimizing it for search engines (SEO) and mobile. Choose a relevant domain name and incorporate strategic keywords throughout your resume to improve its ranking on search results pages and attract potential employers.

Also, make sure your resume website is mobile-friendly. Responsive design will deliver a seamless user experience across different devices, increasing engagement from potential employers.

Add relevant resume sections

Make sure your resume website has all the relevant sections the same way you would include on a traditional resume – skills, education, experience, personal interests, and projects – to accurately represent your qualifications and achievements. Remember, readability is important – a good resume should always have an attractive home page, creating a good first impression for the employer. It should be both eye-catching and informative to entice visitors to dig deeper and learn more about you!