Center for Career Development
As you search for full-time or part-time jobs, always evaluate opportunities carefully. Here are some tips about avoiding common job scams.
Money
If a "company" asks you to deposit or cash a check before you begin work, or asks you to purchase software or "supplies to set up your home office" through a wire transfer or your bank account, it’s a scam. Stop all communication immediately, and report them.

Here’s a common scenario: The company offers you a remote job, and states that they will send you a check to deposit into your own bank so that you can use the money to purchase materials, buy office supplies, etc. After you deposit the check, they will then tell you to withdraw the money from the deposited check and deposit the cash into another account so that they can send you the materials. However, the initial check they send you will be counterfeit, and you will have lost YOUR OWN money.

Remember: If the offer seems too good to be true, it is likely a scam.
Questionable Contact Information or Methods
Fraudulent recruiters claim they work for a company with a name you recognize, but then tell you to contact them using a website/email a little different from the real company. Red flags include websites with spelling/grammatical errors, and limited information about the company/staff. Or, the "recruiter" may contact you from a Gmail address, when they really should have a company email.

Check the email or website address CAREFULLY - every character matters. Instead of the valid xyzcorp_dot_com, bogus “recruiters” might add hyphens to domain names such as xyz-corp_dot_com. Also check where a job posting directs you to. For example, a fake LinkedIn job posting may appear to be associated with a legitimate company, but may redirect you to a site that is different from the job listing site found via the company’s real website.

Check phone numbers, too. Does the phone number go to the recruiter directly, an office main number, or a service like Google Voice? Legitimate employers will rarely use Google Voice.
Job Duties
Be wary of jobs with vague descriptions. Some warning signs include the following:
-Job duties and job title do not match up;
-Job responsibilities do not appear to be aligned with the qualifications required;
-In the interview, the company tells you that you’ll be doing a completely different job than the one you applied for.

These may be outright scams, or the company may be trying to hide something.
PRO TIP:
That company who randomly contacts you on Instagram offering you the chance to be a virtual "brand ambassador"? Not usually a legitimate job opportunity. Make sure to ask questions about what exactly it entails (hourly pay, specific duties, how much they expect you to purchase up front, etc.) This is often either a drop shipping scam, or a shady way for a company to get you to purchase large amounts of their product without a guaranteed return.
PRO TIP:
If you suspect that a job is a scam, search for the company name on www.bbb.org, www.glassdoor.com, www.ripoffreport.com, or www.ftc.gov. These sites may provide additional info about whether the "company" has been reported as a scam.
These are just a few of the common ones. Always do your research, and contact the CCD (or someone you trust) if you need help evaluating something.
Wondering What to Career Steps to Focus On?
Here Are Some Tips!
Ask Yourself "Why"?

Focus on doing well in your classes - and especially notice what classes you are most excited to complete. Why do you enjoy it? What specifically do you like? By noticing where your curiosity takes you, you can gain insight into topics and fields worth exploring more. Want some ideas about what you could do with a certain major? Click the link on the left!
Complete a Remote Work Project through the Parker Dewey Platform

Build your resume through completing short-term project experiences called micro-internships. While these are not traditional internships (and probably won't count as your PDE 400), the opportunities found on this site ARE legitimate, project-based experiences in which you get paid for completing projects with established companies. It's essentially a freelance project that helps you build your resume, expand your network, and earn some income.
Win-win!
Learn about PDE 400 & PDE 401

Make sure you enroll in PDE 401 (ideally in Summer or Fall 2020), and take time to plan for your PDE 400 experience. The CCD created a short informational video that gives an overview of what these graduation requirements entail. Review it, check out the resources on the Portal, and then contact us if you'd like some personalized advice. We'll send more resources via email, too!
Don't Stop Searching: Start Networking

Networking with industry professionals, Wesleyan alumnae, or acquaintances are great ways to keep a pulse on industries in which you're job searching, and learn about upcoming openings. Instead of meeting for coffee, schedule a phone or Skype meeting. Social distancing doesn't stop your job search: it just re-defines it. It's important to build your network now, so that as you keep job-searching you have a great support system. Click the article on the left to learn some strategies for remote networking!
Have questions? Check out our website for a full list of our on-demand resources, or make a virtual appointment with us.