Don’t know what all you are seeing, but we are seeing more suspicious type job postings. Unfortunately in a tight economy, some prey on others with these great opportunities to “make lots of money” while actually putting in very little time or training. I can understand the appeal, who wouldn’t want to earn six figures for just an hour or two a week? Unfortunately, our cash-strapped students and even working adults are needing the extra income.
Obviously some of these opportunities are fake, there is no real employer and no real job. But in some of the others, there probably is great potential to earn, if you last long enough or work hard enough. The May 13,2009 NACE Spotlight highlighted the article - Considering an Opportunity to Work as an Independent Contractor? Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions which is a great resource for students (and also staff).
How far do we go in “protecting” our students? Our students also learn about opportunities outside of our offices. Even for those that come directly to our offices, we have the staff to thoroughly check out every single opportunity. Even if we did, sometimes great opportunities aren't so great and some poor opportunities turn out to be great. The Principles for Career Services Professionals says we will assist individuals in developing a career plan without imposing personal values or biases and that we will provide students with information on a range of career opportunities and types of organizations. So I guess I do my best to help others interpret the facts as they are presented but encourage caution. And maybe someday, a long lost relative really will seek me out to handle a transaction for thirteen million dollars and I’ll be ready.
Chris Timm, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Principles for Professional Practice Committee Chair
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Thank you Chris for your post! It is true that due to our current economic climate we are seeing more fraudulent job postings - and career centers are not alone - this is a trend being seen in all types of online posting systems.
In my opinion, one of the most valuable roles that Career Services offices can play for their students is as educators - of what to look for - and not apply to relative to suspicious postings. Since these types of "opportunities" are not just possibly on the career center website, but can also be found in every electronic job posting system around. Therefore, the knowledge is the power to take with the student throughout their lives and in their future job searches.
Here are some good tips for your students that the job is probably a scam:
**You must give your credit card or bank account numbers, or copies of personal documents - but you get nothing in writing.
**You must send payment by wire service or courier.
**You are offered a large payment or reward in exchange for allowing the use of your bank account - often for depositing checks or transferring money.
**You receive an unexpectedly large check.
Another tidbit of helpful information, if you find a fraud job posting - or if your student brings something to your attention. You can report it to:
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) at http://www.ic3.gov.
Thank you again for bringing up this issue!
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