Looking for a job abroad from your home country is not always an easy task. Especially when the job search is done in a different language. This is especially true as some people and agencies do try to take advantage of the situation. Expat.com takes a look at the different fake job ads as well as scams that might arise.
What kind of scams should you look out for?
There are different types of scams you can encounter. The most common is to go through an unscrupulous agency that will make it look like a dream job and ask you a commission. It is not uncommon that once the commission is pocketed, you end up in one of these situations:
- the position has (supposedly) already been filled
- the position does not correspond to what you were told to expect: much lower salary, precarious conditions, very short duration
- the agency never told you about the necessary visas and you are not eligible for the job.
If you apply without going through an agency, you could also fall on fake ads that do not match the real work conditions or on fraudulent employers who will try and get you to send them money for various reasons (registration and fees, reimbursement of a 'false' salary paid in advance ...).
How to tell the genuine from the fake?
When applying, you will need to be especially suspicious of:
- overly attractive ads in terms of salary, working conditions ...
- ads that offer manager positions without asking for experience
- ads filled with spelling errors
- ads that offer you any pay in advance or other financial transactions.
How to avoid these scams?
- Find out about the platform you use for your research whether it is an agency, a job search site ... Only go through recognized and reliable intermediaries.
- Find out about wages in the country for a similar position and avoid offers that are not in line with the market reality.
- Find out about the company you would work for. Does it exist? Is it good? What kind of reputation do they have?
- Never send your bank details or other personal information before you physically go to the company and sign the contract.
In conclusion, flee all ads that seem too good to be true, they rarely are and young inexperienced candidates are often the ideal target of these false proposals. On the other hand, following these recommendations, you should easily avoid scams and maximize the chances of finding a serious job. Remember, however, to check the regulations in terms of immigration and make sure you have the necessary visas and work permits.
