Career Choices: Be Wary Of Entry-Level Job Board Scams

When you're entry-level, starting a job search can be tough. At the beginning of our careers, we don't have the same networking powers that we develop as we gain experience. Instead, many of us are limited to what we find on popular job boards such as Monster, CareerBuilder, SimplyHired, and Indeed. Maybe we are lucky enough to tap into our college alumni networks and parents' friend circles, but even still, finding that perfect first job is hard work. Regardless of what approach we ultimately take, we do a lot of filtering, searching, and persevering.

Last year, when I exhausted my options on mainstream job boards, I ventured over to Craigslist -- a resource that's really hit or miss when you're looking for work. On Craigslist, I found a range of opportunities in a variety of fields: some appeared to be perfect fits while others were low-paying opportunities from seemingly delusional employers. You want someone with five years of experience, but you only want to pay $8 an hour for an un-benefited contract position? AND you expect this person to work 50+ hours per week? It's an unfortunate fact that on Craigslist, opportunities like these appear to be the norm. But don't be discouraged -- with a little bit of work, it's possible to find that diamond in the rough.

Even as an entry-level applicant, I knew exactly what I wanted: a good salary with the potential to accelerate into a management position. Above all, I wanted a challenging opportunity that would enable me to grow into a leader. While searching through Craigslist, I encountered several marketing positions that sounded like music to my ears, promising high salaries with the ability to pursue a management track. The next step was to apply through the website, so I did.

And then, I scanned through a couple more postings until I found similar language for another job in another industry. When I visited the website, it looked almost identical to the one I visited previously.

And then, I found another. And another -- all in different industries, using the same language and making the same promises.

After seeing too many of these, I was extremely curious. Of course, I realized that these positions were probably scams, but where in the world were they coming from, and what were they about?

When one of these firms invited me for an interview, I decided to give it a go. After all, what did I have to lose?

Flash forward to interview day:

I drive around for a little while trying to find the place that promises me this alleged six-figure entry level opportunity. Finally, I arrive at a hole-in-the-wall building that looks like a converted public storage facility. At this point, I'm a little concerned for my safety, so I call the office to confirm my interview. To my surprise, I'm at the right place. Keeping my pepper spray close by, I walk in to a room that's completely empty except for the receptionist. Even though I'm a little weirded out, I decide to give the opportunity a chance.

After I complete some paper work, she takes me to an empty conference room and asks me some standard interview questions. Then, I interview her. She mentioned that there are about 30 people who work at the building and that all are managers who make extremely comfortable incomes. She further explains that her company is owned by a giant parent-company that is based out of Houston -- which is probably why these identical websites were flooding Craigslist. At the end of the interview, she promises me that once I am hired, I will instantly make six figures in a unique opportunity that any entry-level applicant would be lucky to have. All I need to do is go with their team to complete the situation-based phase II of the interview. The conversation ends, I thank her for her time, and I leave.

When I enter my car, I immediately search for the parent company and find them on RipOffReport. Apparently, for interview phase II, this company will take you outside of a store where you will sell items like clothing and household accessories. Correction: they put you in a car, don't tell you where you're going, and then you end up outside your neighborhood convenient store. Apparently, you also sign a document that says that you don't keep your earnings and commissions for this day -- but you are still required to sell stuff. Companies like these will take candidates out in batches (sometimes several per day), and they will keep the group's earnings. Few if any people will actually get the job. If you are one of the few who receives an offer, don't expect much-- the commission is 100% commission.

One of my friends actually participated in phase II of this company's interview. They had him go door-to-door selling cable plans, and they told him that he should expect a commission-based salary of $80,000 annually. Of course, that claim is just outrageous.

If you're entry level, expect to encounter scams like these. Turn up your guard, and research the company that you're meeting with. If RipOffReport is search engine result #1, consider your suspicions confirmed.

Photo Credit: Miles B.