Chapter 6: Job Search and Networking
6.4 Online Job Search Safety
The Canadian Competition Bureau reports that “thousands of Canadians of all ages and from all walks of life are defrauded each year” (Gregory, 2022). Learn to recognize employment scams to protect yourself from financial loss, wasted time, and energy.
How to Protect Yourself
Be an informed and proactive job seeker. Research and assess every job posting, company, and employment agency to which you apply. Contact them yourself directly if necessary. When in doubt about the job posting, company, or any interactions with an employer proceed with caution!
- Do not accept a job offer without being interviewed in person, over the phone, or via Skype.
- A legitimate employer typically requests personal information only after an interview has been completed, references have been verified, and an offer of employment has been made and signed. Personal information includes:
- SIN number
- date of birth
- driver’s license
- banking information
- Do not use your own money to pay suppliers or transfer funds.
- Never accept payment in advance of starting a job or for services that have not been completed.
- Sounds too good to be true? Seek advice from a trusted source, such as a parent, a professor, or the Fanshawe Career Centre.
