VFRESHERS

Avoiding Fresher Job Scams

Every individual is quite scared when he finishes studying and starts looking for an entry level job. Is he employable and will he get a job in this tough & unpredictable job market. These could be some of the thoughts going around in the person’s mind. Therefore, the very first job that the person gets, calls for a celebration and in this state of mind there might be chances of one getting scammed.

What are the signs and how to avoid them? As some jobs are difficult to come by and there are lots of people fighting for the same position the chances of scamsters operating multiply even more.

Look at the advertisements posted very carefully. Does it sound too much to be true, then, it just might not be true. Look at their advertisements with care. The advertisement will highlight the excellent pay and perks that await one. Also, about what a good learning experience it will be for you and the long list of clients that they already have. Ask yourself some relevant and pertinent questions. Is it the company that is directly employing or are there middle men involved.

If there are consultancy agencies doing the recruitment for the company due to time constraint or whatever then check whether they are authorized to do so. In case they ask you for some amount then you need to question them about what is the amount for and will you be issued a receipt for it.

Have your friends with similar qualifications also got a call from the same recruitment agency. How many of you have got the call. Does your intuition tell you that something is fishy and just not right here?

Look out for placement boards and announcements put up. Are there enough banners to announce that recruitment happens here for this company or is it a hole in the corner affair.

Once you are at the interview and it seems like a cake walk then think whether it is the real thing in the current indian job market. In that case, ask questions to find out what the job is really about. If the interviewer is being extra nice and trying real hard to convince you to take up this job then just walk out. You’ll be doing yourself a great favour in the long run.

Log on to the internet and research. Find out more about the company and telephone or emails. Check out the placement record of the company for the last year. Contact them to check whether they do recruit through the so called recruiter. You do owe it to yourself to be alert and precocious.

These days a lot of companies ask students to pay money initially before induction/training and then ask them to sign a bond with the firm for a specific duration. They make promises of offering a training in Java, .NET and other latest technologies/tools and then placing the student in a one of the top notch multinational companies. Please dont fall for such offers. Dont waste your money by paying such companies as yOur money is too precious. Make sure that the company is credible and has a good track record.

Ultimately, if you do happen to get into one of these situations pull out as fast as one can say Jack Robinson. You will feel cheated and disappointed but it will open your eyes and not let you make the same mistake again.

Remember that there is “no shortcut to success”.