5 Very Important Things To Always Remember When You Want To Apply For Jobs Online 

Online job applications have made the job search process easier and faster. However, this comes with a few disadvantages one of them being job scams. Every day, there are job seekers complaining about being tricked in to paying to get fake jobs.
In this article, see some of the ways in which you can ensure you don’t become a victim of such by conducting a safe online job search.
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Ways to Conduct A Safe Online Job Search

1. Be Wary of Unsolicited Invitations
Have you ever received an email telling you have been selected for a position you never applied for?
For example, James says that he received an email stating, “On behalf of our client an international NGO based in Nairobi, we are glad to inform you that you have been selected for a permanent and pensionable job.”
Now one thing to notice from this email is it does not mention the name of the organisation or the position. An email from a real employer will include both of these.
Most of these emails will be for entry level positions or claim to be positions for top companies that most people want to work for.
As a job seeker you need to ensure that you avoid falling prey to such emails.
2. Be Realistic
Most jobs advertised online have the salary indicated. When it comes to applying for these jobs, you need to ensure that the salary listed there is realistic.
One of the tools used by scammers is putting high salaries on entry level positions because they know everyone wants to be paid well.
Before applying for that internship opportunity promising to pay you 70K, you need to do proper research to ensure it is legitimate. Most companies won’t offer such compensation no matter how big the organisation is.
Salaries are usually given based on experience therefore the more extravagant the amount listed for entry level positions the more wary you need to be.
3. Ensure you use legitimate sites
There are countless job websites you can use when looking for job, the important bit is figuring out which ones you can trust and which one you can’t. In order to avoid being scammed, you need to ensure that you apply for jobs on websites you are sure do not post fake jobs.
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That said most fake job adverts are posted on the same website so after you discover a job site that is constantly posting fake jobs, avoid it in the future.
4. Check Every Company on Google
When you come across a job you doubt, you can always just Google the company to see if it even exists.
Conducting a search is very important because you might come across a discussion on whether the job is real or not, which will help you avoid being scammed.
Some companies put out scam alerts when they realize their name is being used to swindle money from people. You will be able to find this if you Google.
5. Never Pay For Anything
Another very key tip in ensuring you conduct a safe online job search is to never make any sort of payment to get the job.
As a job seeker you need to know that no legitimate employer will ask you for money during the recruitment process.
Most fake jobs will ask you to pay for things like uniforms, psychometric tests, background checks and many other expenses depending on the field. No matter how little the money they are asking for is, do not send it. It is the organisation’s responsibility to pay for most of these things.
In Conclusion,
The people who run job search scams are looking to profit from your desperation in getting a job. You need to ensure you stay level headed even as you are looking for a job so that you don’t become easy prey for such people.
Always double check a job before applying for it.
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By Michelle Wanjiku