Say Yes to the Job: Work Edition – What to Consider Before Accepting an Offer

Before saying yes to a job offer, it's crucial to ensure the opportunity is legitimate. Scammers often pose as representatives of high-profile companies, online shopping platforms, or well-known recruitment agencies. Their aim is to steal your money and personal identity information.

Research the Company Thoroughly

• Verify the legitimacy of the company through online research. Check their official website, LinkedIn page, and reviews on job boards like Glassdoor. Be cautious of companies with minimal online presence or inconsistent information. Check their ABN as well.

Analyze the Job Posting

• Look for signs of a legitimate job posting. Scams often have vague descriptions, numerous spelling and grammar errors, or promises of high pay for minimal work. Genuine postings provide clear job responsibilities and qualifications. If you get a job posting through platforms such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, make sure you verify it before engaging with those messages.

Beware of Unsolicited Offers

• Be wary of job offers that come out of the blue, especially if you haven’t applied. Scammers often send unsolicited emails or messages offering high-paying jobs with little effort required.

Verify Contact Information

• Check the email address and phone numbers provided by the recruiter. Legitimate companies typically use corporate email addresses rather than generic ones like Gmail or Yahoo. Call the company’s official phone number to confirm the recruiter’s identity and whether the role is legitimate.

Avoid Upfront Payments

• Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay for training, software, or any other job-related expenses upfront. This does not include checks such as police checks or working with children checks. Be skeptical of any request for payment before you’ve started the job.

Check for Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers

• Be cautious of job offers that promise unusually high salaries, excessive perks, or immediate hiring without a proper interview process. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Look for Physical Office Locations

• Even if your company allows work from home or a hybrid option, verify if the company has a physical office location. Scammers often use virtual addresses or fake locations. If possible, visit the office or verify its existence through Google Maps or other online resources.

Consult Professional Networks

• Use your professional network to verify job offers. Reach out to contacts in the industry to see if they’ve heard of the company or the job opportunity. Networking can help you identify reputable employers and avoid scams.