How to avoid online job scams when looking for work

Finding work can be difficult in a high-unemployment environment, and scammers can exploit that pressure by creating fake vacancies, impersonating companies, and offering jobs that appear too good to be true.

Here are practical ways to protect yourself when applying online.

Read more: Trusted job platforms still open for work seekers amid high unemployment

Never pay to get a job
Do not pay an application fee, background-check fee, processing charge, or upfront payment for equipment as a condition of employment. A request for money should immediately raise suspicion.

Verify the vacancy
Do not rely only on the advert you receive. Visit the company’s official website and check whether the position appears on its careers page. For government positions, use the relevant official government recruitment portal.

Check who is contacting you
Be cautious if a supposed recruiter uses a personal Gmail or Yahoo address or insists on conducting the recruitment process through WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal. If contacted unexpectedly, find the organisation’s official public telephone number independently and ask whether the recruiter and vacancy are genuine.

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Be careful with big promises
An unsolicited offer promising a high salary while requiring little experience or effort should be treated with caution. If the opportunity sounds too good to be true, verify it before providing any information.

Protect your personal information
Do not provide bank details, tax numbers, or physical identity documents during the initial application stage, unless there is a verified reason to do so. Your initial CV should also leave out your ID number, home address, and date of birth.

Prepare a simple CV
Save your CV as a PDF or DOCX file and use standard fonts, clear headings, and simple formatting. This makes it easier for applicant tracking system software to scan your application. Give the file a professional name, such as Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf.

Match your CV to the vacancy
Read the job description carefully and identify three to five skills that genuinely match your experience. Use those terms naturally in your CV bullet points to make it easier for screening systems to identify relevant experience.

Also read: Joblessness persists, but Alexandra’s fight for work endures

Double-check before you submit
Complete every required section of an online application and carefully check reference numbers, telephone numbers, and email addresses before pressing submit. Keep a record of the company, position, application date, and reference number so you can track your applications.

Keep your job search organised
Consider creating a separate professional email address specifically for applications. Check your inbox and recruitment-platform messages regularly for updates or interview invitations.

For South African public service applications, use the official Z83 form, effective from January 1, 2021. Complete Sections A to D, attach your CV and sign the form by hand.

The golden rule: Never rush because you are desperate for an opportunity.

Verify the employer, check the vacancy independently, protect your personal information, and never pay for the promise of a job.

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