How To Avoid Job Board Scams
Last month we published a blog that emphasized the increase in advertised job openings. If you are looking on online job boards for open positions, you are doing it right. However, some of the job listings you see on these sites can be possible scams, looking to get your information or not pay you for your hard work.
One way to avoid these scams is by always doing research on the company before applying. Do a simple Google search, look at the website, make sure it is a place you would like to work and that does not look sketchy. Additionally, you are going to want to look for any negative comments about the company which will reveal if it is legitimate or not. This is important because you do not want to reveal your personal information to a company that is not legitimate. Job applications often ask for your social security number and other information that can be sold or used to target you for advertising.
Before applying to a position it is also important to check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the company has been reported as a scammer. Another great online resource is Glassdoor, which will allow you to look up salaries, reviews, ratings, and interview feedback for the company. This not only helps you get insight from past employees, but it will help you understand how the interview process works.
Job openings reach highest level in two years
The Labor Department reported that there were more advertised job openings in February than any time in the past two years. This trend is expected to continue throughout April, signaling a positive change in the economy. There were 3.1 million job openings posted in February, an increase of more than 350,000 since January. The outlook is good with the unemployment rate falling to 8.8, the lowest in two years. While there is still fierce competition for open positions, the decrease in unemployment and increase in job openings is evidence that the climate is starting to improve.
What is causing this increase in open jobs? More people are quitting their jobs, presumably to take positions elsewhere. Additionally, layoffs are near the slowest in ten years. Another reason for the increase in open positions is that consumers are starting to gain more confidence in the economy. The increase in retail spending creates more open positions. The increase in confidence can be seen when looking at the 11% increase in sales at Saks Inc and 14% gain from Limited Brands.
Rugaber, Christopher. “Fast Rise in Job Openings Brightens Hiring Outlook.” ABC News (2011): n. pag. Web. 18 Apr 2011. <http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=13368462&page=2>.
CEOs expect hiring to pick up
The Conference Board released a survey last week showing a significant change from last year’s survey. According to this year’s survey, half of all CEOs expect to see increased hiring in their industries. This number is up from 30 percent just one year ago. Not only that, CEOs who expect a decrease in hiring fell to 16 percent in the first quarter, 6 percent lower than a year ago.
The CEOs surveyed by The Conference Board are optimistic about the future, with 85 percent saying conditions are better than six months ago. This number is up from 56 percent who said so in fourth quarter of 2010.
This optimism by the surveyed CEOs demonstrates how the industry leaders believe that current economic conditions seem to be improving. This is great news for the unemployed, as it seems more opportunities will be opening up this year.
“CEOs: Hiring to Pick Up.” Crain Communications Inc. (2011): n. pag. Web. 11 Apr
2011. <http://www.staffingindustry.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=6EECC0FE471F4CA995CE2A3E9A8E4207&tier=4&id=F2C348ED0A7B48ACA0ED4BEF2E44EDE2>.
Technology industry on hiring frenzy in 2011
The technology industry is the place to be in 2011. Companies in this industry are on a hiring frenzy, looking for the most talented candidates in engineering, social media, website and product design, data crunching and analysis, and management. Statistics show that 308,000 tech jobs were lost between second quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2010, but that is changing in 2011. Sophia Koropeckyj, an economist at Moody’s Analytics, says that 148,000 tech jobs are expected to be added by year-end. This increase in hiring is already being felt with a 2.4% increase in tech jobs during February from a year ago.
Some of the top technology companies are ramping up for large hiring sprees this year. Google, without disclosing specific numbers, said that 2011 should be its biggest hiring year ever. Zynga, a social-gaming company, expects to double its staff of 1,500 in the next year. Twitter, a popular social networking site, expects to expand its workforce to 3,000 from 400 by July 2013.
Swartz, Jon. “Tech sector hiring is hot again as Google, Twitter, etc., grow.” USA Today (2011): n. pag. Web. 4 Apr 2011. <http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-03-29-technology-jobs_N.htm>.
Using LinkedIn to recruit graduating college students
LinkedIn is a popular social network among professionals and college students. While Facebook is more for personal use, LinkedIn allows professionals and college students to showcase their experience. With over 90 million members, recruiters are finding this social network as a useful tool to find qualified professionals or graduating students to source for potential jobs.
LinkedIn is growing each and every day. In fact, one million new members join the social network every twelve days. More than one million companies have created LinkedIn Company pages, and that number keeps on growing (Buss). It is a growing trend for recruiters to use social networks, such as LinkedIn, to look for professionals to fit their job description.
Hiring graduating college students for entry-level positions is easy with the growing number of students joining the website. The chart below shows the rapidly increasing number of student memberships.
Hire Velocity uses LinkedIn, in addition to over 200 job boards, to source for candidates. Make sure to check out our LinkedIn page.
Buss, Jason. “College Recruiting on LinkedIn.” Talent HQ (2011): n.
pag. Web. 18 Mar 2011. <http://www.talenthq.com/2011/03/college-recruiting-on-linkedin/comment-page-1>.