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By researching job postings, verifying the poster’s identity, and being mindful of the information you share, you can protect yourself and ensure a secure job search experience.
A large number of job seekers turn to social media to connect with potential employers. (Getty Images)
Authored By Aditi Jha:
Starting a job search can be both exciting and challenging, especially when navigating the vast online landscape. A large number of job seekers turn to social media, particularly LinkedIn, to connect with potential employers and explore new career opportunities. The platform has been enhancing features to help you steer clear of scams and bad actors and find a job that aligns with your aspirations. By researching job postings, verifying the poster’s identity, and being mindful of the information you share, you can protect yourself and ensure a secure job search experience.
Here are some job tips and tools to help job seekers in their search:
1. Check for Verified Information on Job Postings
A verification badge on a job posting means there is verified information about the company or job poster. This includes if the poster is affiliated with an official company page, has verified their association with a particular workplace, or has verified their identity through one of our identity verification partners.
2. Take Care with What You Share
Consider what personal information you are being asked for. Never give out bank details before the onboarding process.
3. Say ‘No’ to Suspicious Requests
Scammers can use tactics that legitimate employers wouldn’t, like asking you to download encrypted software for an interview or offering jobs with high pay for little work. Job offers after just one remote interview is very rarely a legitimate deal. You can report spam and inappropriate content.
4. Enable Message Warnings
Consider enabling LinkedIn’s optional automated detection of harmful content, which may detect potentially harmful scams.
5. Look for Red Flags
Be cautious of job postings that sound too good to be true or require upfront payments. Common scams include roles like mystery shopper, company impersonator, or personal assistant. Additionally, be wary of anyone asking you to send money, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or to invest.
6. Filter by Jobs with Verifications
You can now filter your job search to show only jobs with verifications. The filter allows you to search exclusively for jobs posted by companies with a verified LinkedIn Page and current job posters associated with those companies. When toggled on, only jobs with these verifications will appear in your search results, and the filter will be visible in the search header.
7. Content Creators Can Support Job Seekers with Authentic Advice
Many job seekers turn to trusted voices on LinkedIn, such as Verified members and Top Voices, for career advice and inspiration. When reviewing organic or sponsored content, look for clear labels like #ad, #sponsored, or #partner as indicators of paid partnerships. We encourage creators to comply with applicable laws and platform guidelines to ensure transparency and authenticity in their endorsements.
The significance of safety in the job search process cannot be overstated. Prioritising verification, protecting personal information, and staying alert to suspicious requests are key to safeguarding your search. By leveraging LinkedIn’s tools and following these tips, job seekers can enhance their safety and make informed decisions as they pursue new career opportunities. We continue to integrate authenticity signals throughout LinkedIn’s ecosystem, helping you navigate your job search with confidence.
(The author is head – legal & public policy, LinkedIn India)
