Protect Yourself from 5 Common Job Scams

Protect Yourself from 5 Common Job ScamsProtect Yourself from 5 Common Job ScamsWhile so much of it seems like a no-brainer, tough economic times can make it more challenging to protect yourself from common job scams. The most important thing to keep in mind is that something that seems too good to be true- a promise of easy money for not a lot of effort- should be given extra scrutiny and a healthy dose of skepticism.A job seeker searching the Internet for work-at-home opportunities will come across many scams that may steal a persons identity, their money, or trick them into committing criminal activity. Keep up on scam keywords that may be more likely to bring shady results.Be alert and protect yourself from these five common job scams.PhishingScammers using this tactic try to gain access to your personal information with the intent of stealing your identity. Generally posing as a known and trusted company, the possibility of employment is offered pending a pre-employment backgrou nd check.One known example is a fake job offer with Google/Zagat that requires some sort of fee- often a training fee- prior to starting. Its not a real offer and any money sent is going to a scammer.Money MovementThese scams often present themselves in one of two forms. The check cashing scam offers a commission to individuals who will receive a commission for cashing a check through their personal accounts and wiring the remainder of the money to someone usually located outside the United States. Unfortunately, the check ends up being bogus and the individual is faced with cleaning up a financial mess. On the surface, it seems like an easy trap to spot. However, the people who set up these scams are skilled at building relationships and making job seekers comfortable.There is a similar scheme that involves money laundering, with the main difference being that the victim is asked to transfer money in and out of their own account. The money actually exists, but it is likely to have been acquired through illegal channels and puts the victim in a position to have criminal charges brought against them.Package ProcessingAlso known as reshipping, these job seekers are told to receive shipped goods, which are repackaged and shipped to new locations. Typically, the goods have been ordered with stolen credit card numbers. The middleman (you) is subject to arrest for the transport of stolen goods.Assembling ProductsThis scam is often framed as a firm working with companies that need products assembled for the end user. For an enrollment fee, the job seeker is told they will have access to the portfolio of jobs offered by the various businesses, all with different items to assemble and varying pay scales. Be aware of how to spot scams in work-from-home jobs and avoid being a target.Envelope StuffingEarn $500-$2,000 a week Free postage and supplies, no advertising Weve all seen these advertisements for jobs that promise earnings for each envelope stuffed once a small fee is paid. According to the Federal Trade Commissions consumer information on envelope stuffing schemes, its rare that anyone ever gets paid.No matter what the job opportunity is, be sure to complete your due diligence and ask a lot of questions. If anything ever feels off, its best to take the conservative approach and walk away.Readers, what are some other jobs that leave you wondering whether or not theyre common job scams?

6 Useful Tips for Choosing Between 2 Job Offers

6 Useful Tips for Choosing Between 2 Job Offers6 Useful Tips for Choosing Between 2 Job Offers If youre choosing between two jobs, congratulations All of the hard work from your job search has paid off.But once the celebrating is over, you have a real dilemma on your hands. When it comes to deciding between two jobs, how can you make the right choice?To help you make up your mind, here are six tips on comparing job offersso you can pick the one that offers you the most fulfilling future.When youre interviewing for a job , you want to prove youre the best person for the role and that the organization cant live without you. Once you have two job offers on the table, though, its time to consider how these job prospects align with your career goals.Instead of focusing on what you can do for the company, consider what each company can do for you. Go over everything you learned about the job, organization and culture during the interview process.Then, ask yourself the fol lowing questionsIf youre having trouble deciding between two jobs, consider both through the lens of your long-term goals. Consider which position holds the most promise, and choose the one that will get you where you want to go.When choosing between two jobs, an easy question comes to mind Which one pays mora?Of course, salary isnt the only important factor . Personal satisfaction is also paramount. So what happens if the job you dont really want pays a lot more than the one you do?If this is the case, youll need to weigh whether a higher salary will make up for a job you dont like. Sure, youll have more money to spend outside of work. But if youre bored 40 or more hours per week, a higher salary might not boost your happiness much.My first job decision was between a financial consulting firm and an online education company, said Augustin Kennady, media relations director for ShipMonk . While it offered less money, the online education company was the right decision at the time. I t also gave me the skills I needed to succeed in my next position.I strongly recommend that you decide on your job not necessarily for the money, but for how closely the offer aligns with your values, he added.You also might try negotiating for more money. Practice your salary negotiation tactics , and find out if you can increase your earnings or snag better benefits.If one positions pay is so low you wont be able to support yourself, you should probably go with the other one. But if both salaries meet your needs, you might be better off choosing a more fulfilling job.Many hiring managers assess cultural fit during an interview. They want to make sureyoull fit in well with their organization. But cultural fit isnt a one-way street. You also need to decide whether each company is a good fit for you.If youve ever been in a toxic work environment , you know how tiring it can getday after day. Even if youre passionate about the companys mission, youll lose steam in an uncomfortable workplace. On the flip side, you might develop a passion for a company if its culture makes you feel valued and challenged.When choosing between two jobs, learn more about the culture of each workplace. You might ask your interviewer about it or reach out to current employees. Or you could investigate employee reviews online .Figure out what youre looking for - whether its a culture of collaboration, independence, flexibility or new challenges. Then, opt for the company where youd be the best cultural fit.Have you ever heard that people quit managers, not companies? Your direct manager has a big impact on your experience at work.A bad manager could make you lose motivation or even want to quit, Jerry Maguire-style. But a good manager will motivate you, as well as help you learn and grow.One of my biggest career mistakes so far was to not assess my future managers skills beforehand, said Jssica Carmonaof Guarana Technologies . Making sure you have the right person above you is im portant, especially in your early years.Your manager might even serve as a mentor figure, guiding you on your professional development. When choosing between two jobs, learn about your potential new managers.You might ask how they help new hires transition into the role or what promotional tracks are available. Or you could speak to current employees about their experiences with the manager.I make sure to ask the right questions to make sure theyll be a good fit for me just as much as Ill be for them, said Carmona.I make sure I only get placed in companies where Ill be able to grow in a healthy environment, under managers with the right profile for my career moment.If youre wondering how to decide between two jobs, the decision probably isnt clear-cut. Both roles have pros and cons, and neither is obviously oben liegend to the other.One way to cut through the confusion is to list out a typical day in each role. As you make your list, ask yourself these questionsMake a big comparison chart, advised Valerie Streif, senior advisor at Mentat . Having it all written out and in front of you can help you to understand what youd be getting into with each job option.This can also be a way to get more information about each offer, Streif added. If there are pieces that you realize you are missing, you can take the steps to fill in the blanks.Consider all the details of a typical day in the job, and envision yourself going through the motions. If the two jobs are similar in all other respects, your choice could come to a small detail, like a shorter commute or more attractive workplace.Once youve done your research and made your lists, step back and check in with your inner voice. Ask yourselfTrust yourself, said Streif. You know you and your work preferences better than anyone. If friends or family are urging you to go against your gut because one option may seem more prestigious, but you know youd be happier with the alternative, trust yourself. Its you who will ha ve to work there.Sometimes, you have to take a risk and leap into the job that excites you. If youre still figuring out what that is, learn how to find the right career in 10 steps .This article was originally published on Student Loan Hero . It is reprinted with permission.

Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson on the secret to victory in your career

Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson on the secret to victory in your careerTop Chef winner Brooke Williamson on the secret to victory in your careerThe road to the top isnt always an easy one, and Top Chef Charleston winner Brooke Williamson is a classic example of that.We first came to really know Brooke four years ago, when she competed on Top Chef Seattle, only to lose in the end to fellow competitor Kristen Kish.In that season, Brooke had impressed the judges in every challenge and never been eliminated - only to lose out in the finale to Kristen. Kristen, who had been told topack her knives and go early on. Kristen came back in the Last gunst der stunde Kitchen competition for chefs who had been eliminated from the show and, incredibly, won the entire tournament. Being so close to victory only to have it snatched away at the end - made the Seattle competition atougher loss for Brooke to deal with.Cue this season on Top Chef, in which Brooke again seamlessly made it to the final f our - only to be eliminated right before the finale. She had karma on her side this time, she came back to compete because of the Last Chance Kitchen and won the Top Chef Charleston title last week.Brookes experience of overcoming multiple obstacles is relatable to anyone, whether youre trying to create an exquisite sauce or just move up at work. Ladders chatted with Brooke shortly after her win to discuss leadership lessons from the kitchen and beyond.Ladders Youve done this twice, and in doing so has caused a flood of emotions for many reasons. What do you think you have learned the most, now that youve won about this entire experience?Brooke Williamson I think that I learned that I need to have fun and that when Im elend having fun, it shows in my food and in my confidence. Just to be lighthearted about what I do because I love it. Of course winning welches satisfying and wonderful, but having to go to Last Chance Kitchen and competing to come back, I thought that it was the be all and end all of life - and it was in the end a wonderful and gratifying cherry on top.What was the best way that you deal with the ups and downs of this season?I think what people dont necessarily see, or understand always, is that life is always ups and downs and you learn from your mistakes. Being a chef is all about being creative and inspired, and that doesnt always happen on a daily basis. Top Chef puts you in a position where you have to be that creative 100% of the time, and you cant always be. Im far from perfect and far from able to cook perfectly the first time around. It doesnt always happen We are under this microscope on Top Chef where if something isnt executed perfectly, it is shown for the whole world. So, I think taking the criticisms, both the good points and the bad points, are important for the growth of any persons career.Did you ever have a moment in your culinary career where you doubted the future of it, and how did you conquer that fear?There have been l ow points. However, I have been cooking for such a long time and have known I wanted to be a chef since I was six years old, so there was never a point in my career where I said to myself I cant do this. I think that having a child really motivated me. To provide for someone else and stay inspired and be a role model for him, and to show him that he can be anything he wants to do in life, is a big motivation for me.The culinary industry has a stigma of being very male-dominated. How do you think you have succeeded the most in this environment?I think the environment has shifted a lot over the past couple of years, especially with women being showcased so powerfully and positively on television. Im used to being the only female in the kitchen, which in turn became motivation to do better than the men around me, and I think that it was a positive experience for me. Of course, there were moments where it was frustrating, but I always saw that as motivation to do better.What is the best career advice you have ever gotten from someone and how did it change your outlook on your career?I chose to not go to culinary school because of my first legitimate chef boss, who I looked up to. I admired his career. He said to me, You have the motivation, you have the drive, you have the work ethic. Do what you are doing and you will move quickly. I saw that as motivation to kind of impress him and at the same time, because I didnt go to culinary school, needing to educate myself on technique. I spent a lot of time reading, which a lot of chefs dont do- whether it be cookbooks or reviews about other restaurants - and feeling that I really needed to take it upon myself to get the education that I needed to be able to do what everyone else expected of me.What is the best advice you can give to be someone like you, who is viewed as a leader and a winner ultimately?If you feel passionate that you have this dream of what you like to be, make it that. Anything is possible. If you find yourself not being quite as passionate about what you are doing, then shift or move to something else because I think attaining really high goals can only be done with legitimate heart and passion.Finally, would you do Top Chef again or are you pretty much done?Im pretty much done (Laughter)