How to spot fake job recruiters on LinkedIn

LinkedIn has evolved from a professional social media site to one of the top recruitment sites for professionals around the world, including Filipinos looking for job opportunities in various fields.

However, scammers also know this, leading to an increase in fake recruiters on the platform. While not entirely “fake,” some recruiters may be dishonest about job offers or opportunities.

LinkedIn job recruiter red flags

Here are some red flags to help filter fake recruiters on LinkedIn.

1. They connect with you and offer a job too good to be true

If a recruiter suddenly connects with you and sends a message offering you a job with vague job descriptions or an unrealistic salary for the position, then it’s a red flag. As an applicant, you should know the typical job description and the expected salary for the position.

2. They have incomplete or sloppy profiles

LinkedIn profiles serve as our professional facade, which recruiters also want to see when looking for potential candidates. So, when a recruiter contacts you, view their profile.

Check whether their account is verified, whether they are not using a stock photo for their profile picture, and other details, like the extent of their job history. You should also inspect the number of their connections, as recruiters typically have many. You can see all these details with one click.

3. They communicate or behave unprofessionally

Be careful with LinkedIn recruiters who send messages with poor grammar, spelling errors, or unprofessional approaches. These messages may not be legitimate. Since LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, recruiters are expected to lead by example, particularly in their communications and conduct.

4. They request personal information unrelated to the job

Be careful about giving away personal information unrelated to the job description. Legitimate recruiters don’t ask for sensitive personal and financial information like bank account details or complete home addresses.

5. They want you to send your CV via email or messaging apps

LinkedIn offers a convenient way to apply for jobs, including sending CVs, through the “Easy Apply” feature. So, be careful if a recruiter requests your CV via email (a bigger red flag if the email is not a company email, e.g., @gmail.com) or through messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. Since your CV contains personal information, a scammer can steal your identity.

6. They don’t mention or hide the company they represent

You must be wary if a recruiter doesn’t share the company they represent. As an applicant, you want to know the company or industry you are engaging with, so if a recruiter holds this information, it’s another red flag.

7. Asking for an upfront payment

Asking for an advanced payment for something is one of the oldest tricks in the scam book. For instance, a fake LinkedIn recruiter may ask you to pay for an application or processing fee or will give you priority in the position if you pay or other similar expenses.

How to avoid fake job recruiters

Knowing the red flags is a step toward better job hunting, but you must also execute and be proactive.

1. Verify the recruiter’s account

LinkedIn has a profile verification method to ensure that users (including recruiters) are who they say they are. So, if a recruiter’s account is not verified, it would be an issue. You may also check their name on Google to see their other social media profiles.

2. Verify their company

Check the company the recruiter represents. View it on LinkedIn or other platforms, like Glassdoor or Indeed, to ensure its legitimacy.

As LinkedIn users, it’s also our responsibility to protect our privacy by not giving away unnecessary personal details in a professional setting. Scammers may lurk around the platform, looking for people with “Open for Work” badges they can scam.

4. Ask questions

Always ask questions related to the company and gather information from the recruiter about the job description and the hiring process. Be cautious with recruiters who keep information confidential or imply that you won’t get the position if you share it.

5. Trust your gut

Sometimes, it’s still best to trust your gut. Something may look legitimate from the outside, but if you sense there’s something wrong with the recruiter or the organization they represent, don’t be afraid to step back.

LinkedIn is a great social media platform for professionals, especially those seeking career opportunities. However, despite most of the recruiters on the site being legitimate, some fake recruiters lurking around want to take advantage of you. Avoid them by being proactive and walking away once you see red flags. There’s always a perfect opportunity for you.

Have you ever encountered a fake recruiter on LinkedIn? How’d it go?