Along with genuine jobs, fake jobs will also come to us. Yes, of course, not every job posted online is always real, but that doesn’t mean it’s fake either. But we can follow 5 steps. If we follow these five steps carefully, we will never fall into fake jobs. And we can easily identify if it is a fake job. In this blog, I’ll share 5 simple but powerful steps to identify fake jobs instantly and protect yourself. More than 80% of people lose their personal information and even money because of these fake jobs.
Right now, among the jobs posted online, many fake jobs are being put up. In the present situation, fake jobs are trending, where people are taking money or collecting personal information. In such a market, if we want to apply only to genuine jobs, first we must follow certain precautions, that is, some steps.
Step 1: Too Good to Be True
The first flag is “Too Good to Be True.”
That means, when we see that job, it looks extremely attractive.
Example
- They say that if you do a very small task, you’ll get a big salary.
- Like, sell a small product and earn ₹15,000.
- Or just stay online for 1 week and they’ll give you ₹20,000.
They post jobs in such attractive ways. In reality, who will pay you ₹15,000 just for sitting in front of a computer, when even after working 8 hours with effort, it’s not easy to get that salary?
Key Takeaway: If any job looks too attractive or offers ₹15,000–₹20,000 without real work, definitely avoid it. The best thing is, report it. Because if you found it, reporting helps stop others from falling for it.
Highlight: If any job looks overly attractive, just avoid it.
Step 2: Unprofessional Communication
The second flag is Unprofessional Communication.
This is very important and also requires some skill to identify.
Of course, when we apply to any company, there are usually two types: either startups or MNCs. In both, most job postings are done by HR. In some startups, managers or the operations team might post, it’s not bad actually.
But many fake jobs can be spotted because:
- They don’t use proper grammar.
- The job description is incomplete.
- The salary is not mentioned.
- Instead, they ask for your personal information.
- There’s no proper link.
- They don’t have a company domain email (they use Gmail, Yahoo, or just say “Call this recruiter”).
Checklist – Genuine Recruiters Always
- Use the company domain email IDs
- Provide a clear job description
- Never ask for personal details before official onboarding
Note: 99% of genuine recruiters always use emails with their company domain. From startups to big MNCs, the very first step when they start is to create a company domain email.
So if any job posting comes with only a free email address instead of a company domain, it’s definitely fake. Even if such jobs email you, don’t reply. And if you reply, don’t share any information. Those are definitely fake jobs.
Step 3: Asking for Money or Personal Information
Flag No. 3. First, they may ask you for money or for personal information.
Example Cases
- A company from Hyderabad calls you and says:
“Sir, your profile is selected, everything is okay. You just need to pay ₹10,000. First, you’ll have training, and for that you must pay ₹10,000, which will be refunded later.” - Another case:
“Sir, your profile and resume have been selected. Please share your Aadhaar, PAN card, or other personal details.”
Truth: In both these cases, 99% it is fake.
Important Facts
- A genuine company never charges for training, laptops, or bags they provide.
- The company itself bears those costs, which is why salary is mentioned as CTC (Cost to Company).
- No genuine company will ask you to pay money.
- No company asks for Aadhaar, PAN, or bank details before issuing an official offer letter.
- Only after giving you the offer letter, and after you attend Day 1 orientation, the HR may ask for these details.
If they casually ask for details over the phone, it’s definitely fake. Don’t fall for it.
Step 4: Bad Job Description
Now, Flag No. 4: Bad Job Description.
Sometimes the job posted and its description don’t match.
Example
- The post says “Operations Manager,” but the description is like “Delivery Boy.”
- Or it says “Branch Manager,” but the description is for some clerical job.
How Genuine Companies Work
- They are always clear.
- They specify exactly what they want from you and what you must do.
- Their job descriptions are carefully designed, often reviewed by managers and HR before approval.
If you see a mismatch between the job title and description, it’s 100% a fake job or interview. Don’t apply; don’t waste your time.
Step 5: No Online Presence
Last but not least, Flag No. 5: No Online Presence.
This is part of the basic checks.
If you apply for a job and they reply without asking for money or goods, or information, still, you must still check their internal process.
How to Verify
- Search for the company on Google, Naukri, or other job portals.
- See what the company actually does.
- Every company must have a social media presence, especially on LinkedIn.
- If they say only this company has no social media, don’t believe it.
- Every company must have a website. If they own a domain, they definitely have one.
Quick Info Snapshot to Identify Fake Jobs
| 1 | Too Good to Be True | Unrealistic salary for small tasks |
| 2 | Unprofessional Communication | Free emails, grammar mistakes, no clear JD |
| 3 | Asking for Money/Information | Demands fees or Aadhaar/PAN before offer |
| 4 | Bad Job Description | Job title and description don’t match |
| 5 | No Online Presence | No website, no LinkedIn, no company domain |
Conclusion
If you carefully understand these 5 flags, you can protect yourself very well from fake jobs and fake calls.
- Too Good to Be True
- Unprofessional Communication
- Asking for Money or Personal Details
- Bad Job Description
- No Online Presence
Final Note: Share it with your friends and family, especially those who are searching for jobs. It will be very helpful. For more tips, guides, and updates, visit BuzzIndie.