Stupid Things Scammers Do in Fake Job Ads on Craig's List
They put the dollar sign after the number, like this: 12$
They open their job ads by talking about how their company is the "leader" in such-and-such industry. (Oh, PLEASE, Mr. Scammer, can't you come up with something NEW? We are SO tired of reading this one...)
They use spaces instead of colons in the work hours, like this: 9 30 to 5 30
They tell you to call or send your resume to a specific name at the end of the ad, like this: "For consideration, send your resume to Joan Smith", or "Call Mary Evans to set up an appointment." Notice they don't provide a phone number for Mary Evans. That's because she DOESN'T EXIST.
They capitalize words in the middle of Paragraphs that don't Necessarily need to be capitalized.
They have a tendency to type an unnecessary space before closing a set of parentheses, like this: (Jersey Shore ) See that?
Instead of correctly using two capital letters for state abbreviations (like NY, MD, or CA), they like to do this: Ny, Md, Ca, Nj, Mn, etc.
They spell things wrong -- even common words related to the job like secrtrary, recptionnist, frontdesk, responcible and compitent.
They use non-existent terminology to make their ads sound "business-y" and real. Like this winner: "We're looking for a multi-line candidate." Well, there are multi-line PHONE SYSTEMS, but not multi-line CANDIDATES. Some genius.
They like to describe the company as "relaxed" and "low-pressure". And they do it in so many different ads -- but they think we won't notice they're recycling the same phrases. WE NOTICED.
They over-write their job descriptions to make them sound more "business-y" and real, like this: "Must be comfortable speaking on the telelphone to people." As opposed to speaking on the telephone to...monkeys?
Their identical ad appears in other cities -- just google the text and see.
Their spacing is really sloppy when they're typing things.
They refer to applicants as "Inquirers", like this: "Inquirer must be able to type 40 words per minute." Which inquirer, the National Inquirer?
In the beginning of the ad, they tell you the company is rapidly expanding or growing, and that's why they need somebody quickly. Same scammer uses this line OVER and OVER and OVER again.
They advertise for someone for their Minneapolis office...in the NEW JERSEY Craig's List. OOPS.
They refer to the wages as "for every hour". For ev-er-y hour? Who SAYS that? Wow, you sound REALLY wordy, you MUST be a professional office person!!!
They use goofy characters and squiggles and asterisks in the titles of their job ads, like this: ~!~Office Manager Wanted~!~ or ;';Receptionist Position Opening';' or ***!!!Secretary Needed!!!!*****
They say that a position is "interviewing" in their job ad title, like this: "Receptionist Position Interviewing" Positions don't interview. People do. And people who work in real companies and compose real job ads know this.
They tell you that a job requires excellent leadership abilities, and other ambitious qualities...and it's a receptionist position. Or a janitor. Leadership abilities? I know every great man or woman has to start SOMEWHERE, but I think somebody got their cut-and-pasting mixed up.
The job description includes "entertaining clients". What is this, "Mad Men"? Dude, I'm not even sure that's legal...
They use bad grammar. Example: "Seeking A Administrative Assistant". Are you sure you're not seeking B Administrative Assistant?
They use hyphens where they're absolutely-not appropriate, and forget to use them when they are. Sorry, am I nit picking? Or am I multi tasking? Maybe I'm just in a bad-mood.
They post their ads at odd hours. Like 3:00 AM. And as we know, most legit employers wait 'til they have insomnia to fill that vacant position. Check the time on the ad. It might indeed be a sensible time to be posting...if you're in NIGERIA. (Thanks, Debbie C.!!!)
For more information on the stupid things scammers do, read my earlier post about this unfortunate phenomenon: http://blog.kimwrites.com/2010/01/15/crooks-victimize-the-unemployed-with-phony-job-ads-on-craigs-list.aspx
Good luck out there!
-- Kim Brittingham
* Want to keep up with what I'm doing? Before ya go, sign up for my mailing list! I'll never steal your identity, and I don't send stupid spam.
* Seeking permission to reprint this article? Drop me a line: hello@kimwrites.com
Good luck out there!
-- Kim Brittingham
* Want to keep up with what I'm doing? Before ya go, sign up for my mailing list! I'll never steal your identity, and I don't send stupid spam.
* Seeking permission to reprint this article? Drop me a line: hello@kimwrites.com
Great article, Kim. As a current job seeker myself, I appreciate all your job search posts.
As for that other post about that jackass, I actually know several people who have found real jobs, or at least had very real job interviews, that were found on Craigslist.
Keep up the great posts!
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I have been posting your great article about fake job ads on craigslist to warn my fellow job seekers. I hope this is OK
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