Tips to stay clear of frauds and to find genuine job opportunities in Canada.
Job seekers are in a precarious position and will provide their personal details or money to get an employment opportunity in Canada. If you’ve been victimized by an ad, you’re not alone.
Scams on the internet are on the rise since the outbreak began. Statistics provided by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) indicate that there more than 68,000 reported instances for fraud between 2021 and 2021 which does not include the month of December. The losses totalled $231 million. This is more than twice the amount of losses that were reported in the year 2020.
The best defense is to be aware against fraud. In addition to the CAFC website and you can also check out the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has a scam tracking tool that monitors reported instances of fraud. In this post, we’ve collected a list of tricks to avoid fake job offers as well as a few other tips to help you locate the authentic job.
How to stay clear of fraudulent job offers
A common rule of thumb is that if you feel the job offer is just too appealing to be true it’s probably true.
Here are a few indicators that could indicate you may have a fake job offer in your possession:
If you weren’t a candidate for the position, it’s most likely not genuine. Most fake job offers are not solicited. They’re from companies you didn’t apply for and for jobs you did not apply for.
They might offer a lucrative amount of money, and they may have a vague set of requirements that make it appear that anyone can be a suitable candidate (over 18 years old with no work experience or experience required, etc.) They are made to appeal to your desires and make you believe that your job search is complete and you’ve found the perfect source of financial security.
The email address used by the sender may be suspect, or it might not be. Business owners who are legitimate use free email services such as Gmail however it is more likely that businesses will use the domain name of their choice on their email addresses. Remember that fraudsters can hijack email addresses of companies that are already in use and disguise themselves as recruiters. If you suspect that you have received a false job offer from a legitimate company, do not respond to the email. Instead, call someone else in the company to determine whether they actually attempted to reach you. If there’s no contact information on the email sent by the sender, that could be an indication of fraud.
The fake recruiter might require you to pay a fee to receive an employment offer. They could offer you a check to purchase supplies that, only to discover it to be fake, and you’re left with the cost of whatever you bought. You shouldn’t be required to make a payment for a legitimate job offer or engage in any transactions.
They request personal information including your home address as well as your Social Insurance Number (SIN). Don’t divulge your SIN unless it’s legally required. Employers will only require your SIN when you get hired.
Finally, conduct a quick look-up before you sign any offer. Be sure to not click on any link, respond to any message or download any files until you are sure that you’re talking to a genuine recruitment agency. You must have anticipated the message, if you’re. Conduct a background check on the sender as well as the company they represent. Check if typing the name of the company together the word “scam” turns up any results.
If you think you received a false job offer, you are able to make a complaint at BBB, the CAFC or the BBB.
Finding legitimate job offers Network and apply
When you get a job offer, it’s from a business you have a connection to. It could be that you submitted an application or received it through networks.
The company Linked-In claims that around 85 percent of jobs can be obtained via networking. If you have contacts from Canada you can ask them for leads.
If you live living in Canada You can also look for employment opportunities offered by your local municipality or provincial government. If you’re an international student the university you attend can assist you in finding jobs.
If you’re applying online, make sure to submit your application through the website of the company directly.
There are also services specifically geared towards aiding newcomers to find work. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides free employment and settlement services on their site, which is accessible regardless of whether you reside located in Canada or in another country. Canada offers a work bank site which allows Canadian employers can look for talent from both the local and international market.
It is also possible to check provincial websites of the provinces that participate with the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) to locate employers that are in search of foreign workers. Communities that are participating within the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) may have openings in their municipal websites.
When you apply, ensure that you submit an official cover letter and Canadian-style resume. This generally has the least personal information that you will need in different countries. Make sure that your application is tailored to the job you’re applying for. Review the job description in detail. The hiring manager should know the reasons you’re a good candidate and how you could help the company. Check a brief background of the company as well to determine if it’s an excellent workplace.
In the end, apply. Employers employ for a variety of reasons that go beyond those stated on the application.
