According to a report published on Vanguard Newspaper in 2016, about 80 percent of the jobs advertised online are fake vacancies. In 2021… It’s worse.

 

From GNLD to outright “fake companies” springing out all over the internet, you have to be very careful if you are job hunting. The sad story of Miss Iniobong Umoren which went viral on Social media was heart wrenching as it was heartbreaking. This is why you and I owe it to each other to be very careful about so-called “job opportunities” online.

 

The internet is such a porous place that many fraudsters prey on unsuspecting jobseekers promising them jobs that don’t exist and because of the economic situation in the country, a lot of people fall for it… Why won’t we?

 

With very little job opportunities in the country. As Job seekers you sometimes have little to no choice on the type of “employment” opportunity to say yes  to.

 

One can be a little careless and desperate about which job site to patronize, or opportunities to consider causing them to fall into the wrong hands. Job scammers have caused a lot of hardship and pain to job seekers as a result. it’s as if they’re out on a mission to compound the suffering of the average Nigerian Job seekers by duping them or worse…taking their lives.

 

These are some safety precautions you should consider.

 

• When Searching for job opportunities

 

• When going for an interview

 

We hope that this can help keep you safe while you’re out there looking for ways to earn your daily bread.

 

10 Ways to protect yourself while Job Hunting

1. Research the job and company: A quick search of a company’s name in the Cac records can help you know if a company “exists” or not. While this step alone is not enough to keep you safe, At least it confirms that the company in question has relevant documentation.

 

2. Share your whatsapp location with someone: If you’re called to attend an interview and you decide to go(after doing your due diligence..that is checking if the company is registered and a “quick” google search). Go with someone or share your location with someone who you can als ask – as an added measure of security to call you at “certain intervals”. Also leave the house with your phone fully charged and tell people EXACTLY where you are going to.

 

3. Search the job listing on Nairaland: Nairaland is like the “linkedIn” of Nigeria when it comes to information about fake  jobs and interviews. Almost every sad experience with a bad company(GNLD) and the like can be seen from a quick search on nairaland. As one of Nigeria’s oldest forums,  Job seekers tend to share their experiences on bad jobs there.

 

4. Don’t follow anybody to a remote location: Avoid following anyone to a remote location for ‘job briefings” or “job interviews”. If the location starts to look a little confusing or something seems “off”.., Kindly excuse yourself and find your quickest way back home. Another job would always comes

 

5. They want you to pay for something: What assurances do you have that the job is yours if you are to pay?. This is a trick that is used mostly on corp members who are just out of service. It starts with a text message and offers for an “oil job” after paying huge sums of money. Don’t fall for it..it’s a scam

 

6. Don’t reply to Messages about job role you didn’t apply for: Make notes of jobs you apply for.. This can be hard especially when you are applying to lots of places. But this can save you from being scammed. When you are job hunting, you give a lot of your information out and some “uduaks” might be waiting in the wings to do – God knows what – with it. When contacted about a position you did not apply for..always ask… “Where did you get my contacts?”.. “I can’t remember applying for this post”. I know it’s hard especially when it comes from a “big company”.. A little search would show you that it is “fake”

 

7. Check job title: Check the “job title” and “job requirements” and see if the “match”. What is required of you? Does the job title and the job requirement go hand in hand. E.g “Personal Assistant” should not have “job requirements” of  A professor. Or the “Pay” of a full stack developer.

 

8. Pay attention to details: Every detail should match. Is the job for a company, What are the requirements, Are you a perfect fit? Did you apply for the job? Is the job “legal” by nairaland standards.. These little details would serve as a “filter” when job hunting

9. Don’t give out personal information: Avoid giving out so much information about yourself on social media or while job hunting. Your BVN, your Passport Number, Your Banking Card details are all yours and should not be shared to anyone while job hunting

 

10.  Search for job opportunities only on trusted platforms: Limit your job search to trusted sources like jobberman, LinkedIn… or follow huge accounts that post genuine job offers and opportunities. MomentswithBren is a good place to start.

What Should I do if I have been scammed(or know anyone who has been scammed)?

 

If you or anyone you know have been scammed before, report it to the police or make a post on any forum where others can learn from this.. It is up to you and me to put these suckers and evil doers out of business and keep looking out for one another.

 

Stay Safe.