I recently reentered the job market and have been looking; I have also uploaded my resume to the usual job boards. This week I have had two companies reach out to me to setup an interview, one of them I did, but the other one I have not, but it is very similar.
First Contact
The compnay contacted me saying they found my resume on a job board and wanted to interview me. It wasn’t a job I wanted, but something I could do and see myself doing. They scheduled the interview for the next day and was the only option I was given. I did my research, it looked like a legit company and someone I could see myself working for.
The Interview
My interview was the next day and I got a message about two hours before saying I was free to join at anytime. It was through a virtual communicaton platform and one I had used once before. I then finished what I needed to do and sent a message back that I was ready when they were available. I got a message back with instructions and specifics to complete the interview and a link to a Google form. I completed it and messaged back that I was done. I was not allowed to ask questions or discuss the position or anything. I got a message back saying I was done and to keep checking my email (including spam) and the app we used for updates. My guard was up at this point.
Next Day Communication
That morning I got an email for a job offer paying me more than I have ever made before and for a lower position. I also got an email from the “recruiter” asking to please confirm I had received the offer letter. I responded that I had seen I got the email, but had not reviewed it yet. He sent back saying great, now please complete this information for us; asking for my full legal name, address, email, phone, etc.
Feeling Forced, High Concern
I did more research on the company as my spidey-sence was tingling. I discussed it with my spouse and continued doing research. We found a few online posts about how this company had tied another person to their college and peers without having their information and how multiple people were getting the same email and experience I was getting. Then I put all the pieces together and felt convinced this was not right. It either was an utter scam or would not be the job that I wanted.
Red Flags
- I never applied for this job and was never asked to fill out an application. The only information they had on me was what I said on a job board.
- Forceful interactions: interview next day, join interview early, complete this information for hiring even though you have not accepted our offer.
- No verbal or visual communication with anyone, all though email or the messaging app. Not even a virtual (visual or vocal) interview.
- The interview questions were mildly adequate for this role. Some were about remote experience and software experience, but none specially about experiences.
- I was not allowed to inquire about the position. I could read the job description which was vague with two job responsibilities and the general statements.
- Pay high for the position I was going to be doing.
- Others sharing similar stories online about the company.
- The offer letter came from the Senior Vice President of Human Resources. This person was not found on the company’s website but other high executives and some lower ones were. When you looked up the company in other places this name was listed as the Chairman (no Chairman was on the website).
Did you find any other red flags?
If it seems to good to be true, it most likely is! Be careful!
Please forgive any typos, I normally do not write posts on the fly, but this one I feel is important to get out there.