Know Your Recruiter: Protecting Yourself During the Job Search Process

We’ve all been job seekers before, so we know the job search process can be daunting. While recruiters are meant to ease this transition, it pains us to see that the rise of scam recruiters has added another layer of complexity. With the increasing reliance on quick, digital communication, it’s more important than ever to verify the legitimacy of the recruiters you engage with.

At Landing Point, we prioritize building authentic relationships with our candidates to ensure trust and transparency. We know that a reputable recruiter should serve as a strategic career partner—providing insight, advocating on your behalf, and helping you navigate opportunities that align with your skills and goals. But it got us thinking: what if there are job seekers out there that don’t know how to determine the legitimacy of recruiter outreach and job opportunities? So, whether you work with Landing Point or any of the other recruiters that specialize in your particular industry, we wanted to compile some tips on protecting yourself and building a trusted relationship with your recruiter.

To protect yourself from potential scams, be wary of recruiters who:

1. Have unverified or vague credentials. A legitimate recruiter should have a clear professional presence. If you can’t find their LinkedIn profile, company website, or any credible information about them online, the opportunity being presented may not be legitimate.
2. Have generic or suspicious email addresses. Recruiters from established firms will use official company email addresses (e.g., [email protected]). Beware of those using Gmail, Yahoo, or other free email domains, and also pay close attention to whether or not a company email domain matches the domain of their website. For instance, if a company’s website is www.company.com, take a close look to make sure the email sending domain doesn’t have added characters, like www.company-inc.com.
3. Request personal or financial information. A recruiter should never ask for sensitive details such as your Social Security Number, bank account information, or a copy of your ID early in the process. These should only be provided once you have a verified job offer from a legitimate employer.
4. Pressure you to act quickly. Fraudulent recruiters often create a sense of urgency, pushing you to make quick decisions without giving you time to research or ask questions. A legitimate recruiter will respect your time and allow you to consider opportunities carefully.
5. Have upfront fees or payment requests. Reputable recruiters do not charge job seekers for their services. If a recruiter asks for money to secure an interview, process an application, or guarantee a job, it’s a scam.
6. Communicate unprofessionally. Pay attention to how the recruiter communicates. Poor grammar, inconsistent messaging, or overly pushy behavior can be signs of a scam. Legitimate, reputable recruiters should be maintaining professionalism in all interactions.
7. Refuse to provide a direct employer contact. If a recruiter is unwilling to share information about the hiring company or facilitate a direct conversation with the employer at the appropriate stage, this is a red flag. Transparency is key in the hiring process.

Instead, build a relationship with a recruiter who:

1. Prioritizes face-to-face interactions. A reputable recruiter will make an effort to meet you, whether at their office or over coffee, or via a video call if an in-person meeting isn’t feasible. Face-to-face interactions provide insight into their professionalism and authenticity.
2. Takes the time to understand your goals and expectations. A good recruiter will ask thoughtful questions about your career aspirations, salary expectations, preferred work environment, and long-term professional goals. The more they know about what you’re looking for, the better they can match you with the right opportunities instead of pushing irrelevant roles. At the end of the day, you need a partner who will act as a trusted advisor and advocate for you.
3. Maintains consistent communication and follow-ups. A trustworthy recruiter will stay in touch throughout the hiring process, keeping you informed on job applications, interview feedback, and next steps. They should proactively check in, answer your questions, and offer regular updates. A reliable recruiter values consistent communication and ensures you’re always in the loop.
4. Continues the relationship after you’ve landed a job. A great recruiter sees you as more than just a placement. They’ll stay in touch even after you secure a role and continue to check in on your career progress. If you decide to explore new opportunities in the future, having an established relationship will make the process much smoother.

The job search process should be about building relationships, not navigating scams. By staying vigilant and fostering genuine connections, you’ll learn who you can trust throughout your career journey. At Landing Point, we’re committed to providing candidates with a secure and supportive experience every step of the way.