Job Scammers

 General  Comments Off on Job Scammers
Jun 042010
 

Hello <my full name>, it’s fantastic to hear from you.

We appreciate you e-mailing us.

You are extremely qualified for this job position, and more so than the other 13 applicants we received resumes from.

The selection process is almost done. We only ask for you to complete a basic, simple IQ(Intelligence Quotient) quiz to complete and show to our Head of Human Resources.

Please perform the IQ Quiz here: http://LostonCorp.com/IQ-Quiz

Please reply back with the results and an availability schedule to set-up an interview.

Personally, I am excited to fill this position with a friendly face and looking to your quick response.

Have a wonderful Thursday,

Shelby James
HR Dept.

Loston, Corp
Telephone: 1 (650) 489-2541
Fax: 1 (866)-396-3806
Contact: ShelbyJames@LostonCorp.com
Website: LostonCorp.com

Remailed from job-aqme59637483
6/3/2010 9:45:28 AM

Apparently others receiving this one were supposed to go watch a video, or confirm a phone number (back when they were calling themselves Charon, Corp).

As far as I’ve seen, if they want you to go to a web page and “complete” something—there is no job, it’s just a scam to get your information, or to generate clickthroughs, or both.

Still Looking

 General  Comments Off on Still Looking
May 082010
 

Almost a year and a half after finishing my accounting degree, and I’m still looking for work. I picked the worst possible time to graduate, didn’t I?

Perhaps things are looking up, because the temp agency called twice this week about potential jobs.

The first job was a temp-to-perm bookkeeping position. They asked me to send over an updated résumé.

Then they asked me to fill in the résumé with more detail, so I sent over my curriculum vitae.

Then they said it still wasn’t right, they needed more detail. I couldn’t imagine what detail wasn’t already in the CV, so we got together on the phone.

“It looks good, we just need more information about how you used accounting software in your previous jobs.”

Ah. “I didn’t actually use accounting software in any previous jobs. I used it while earning the degree but haven’t gotten work experience with it yet.” I’m pretty sure I let them know that when I first signed on, but like I said, that was a year and a half ago—the agent who entered me into the system doesn’t even work there any more.

“Oh. Well, unfortunately, they’re looking for someone with work experience with the software. But I’m sure we’ll find something for you!”

Yeah. That’s been the problem I’m running into: I’m competing against people who have a lot more experience than I do, and potential employers can afford to pick and choose.

Later the temp agency called about another offering: a week or two as a receptionist in a nearby city.

I’m not dead-set on getting an accounting job. I’m open to just about any job I have the skills to perform—as long as it doesn’t involve answering phones. Years ago I did a stint at a call center for a major airline, and it’s put me off any kind of phone-answering job for good. Once I agreed to a receptionist job for a temp assignment; I hated it so much that after two days I asked the agency to replace me. I’d never done that before. The people were nice enough, it was just the phone part that made me miserable.

So I politely declined. Now I feel like a slacker because I turned down work.

I guess if you hear I’ve taken a receptionist job somewhere, you’ll know we’re really desperate.

Yet Another Job Scammer

 General  Comments Off on Yet Another Job Scammer
Feb 262010
 

They must be catching all the newbies, because a week or two of scouring the job boards is enough to spot the scammers:

Job Scam Ad

I was suspicious (hardly any reputable companies use throwaway Hotmail addresses these days, it just doesn’t look professional), but I responded anyway.

Their reply:

Thank you for your interest in the position we have listed on Craigslist – Accounting Asst. Please go to

http://career-network-rockymount.com/ and you can complete the application process. You can do it! Sincerely Gail P pls note – I have 2 other positions open, billing associate and Administrative Accounting Aide. If you are interested pls send me a separate email for each with job title in the subject line thanks, this facilitates a faster reply GailP good luck. Also consider looking into some additional training/education as there are funds available.

Yeah. One of the first things you learn is that if they send you to another web site to “complete the application process,” there is no job. They’re just harvesting your data, or trying to generate clickthroughs, or both.

I did a search on the domain name, and discovered it’s one of literally thousands being used by one guy for these fake job ads—what he’s really pitching is continuing education. (Check out the list at the bottom, of only some of the domains he’s used.)

Job scammers like this will be going to that very special level of hell reserved for child molesters and people who talk at the theater.

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