Job Listings or Digital Bait? 🚩

Hey brand wagon riders! 🕵️‍♀️  This side trip may seem a little off-brand trail, but stick with me. If you’re scouring job boards and LinkedIn like a digital gold prospector (like I have), you might be digging up more than you bargained for.

Have you come across that dream job listing that seems too good to be true and then found yourself “cyber-stalked” by that brand (like I have)?  Well, here’s a dirty little secret: sometimes it is too good to be true. 😬

And while that is disheartening, there are ways to fight back.

The ‘Job Listing’ Mirage 🌵

Picture this: you’re scrolling through a company’s career page, and you spot the perfect role. The description reads like it was written just for you. You polish up your resume, craft the perfect cover letter, and hit ‘Apply.’ But then... all you get is nothing? Or perhaps the automated we received your submission email. (Some of them are well written; others are...)

Anyway, weeks pass, and you hear crickets. Meanwhile, the company’s ads start appearing in your feed. Suddenly you’re on their email list for everything, not just job-related communications like you checked off during their application process that makes you repeat everything on your resume. Suspicious and annoying? You bet.

In some cases, companies have posted positions that are already filled or, worse, never existed in the first place. Why, you ask? It may be to capture your contact info and pump up their marketing lists and remarketing campaigns, or worse, much more nefarious – someone is trying to steal your identity (and the company may not even know it’s happening! Seriously! I had issues with one company's form and reported it to them on a LinkedIn direct message, and the response was, "What form?" Turns out, fake.)

Yep, you just became part of their lead-generation strategy or, worse (yep, there’s worse), a cyber-attack target. 🎯

Spotting the Red Flags 🚨

So, how can you avoid falling into this digital trap?

Here are a few tips to help you navigate the job market like a cyber pro:

1. Do Your Homework: Research the company and see if the position has been listed elsewhere before applying. Check their LinkedIn page for recent updates or employee changes that might indicate whether the role is genuinely open.
2. Check the Timeline: If the same position has been posted multiple times over a long period without any updates, it could be a sign that it’s not a legitimate listing.
3. Network Smarter, Not Harder: If possible, reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to ask about the position. A little insider info can go a long way.
4. Look for Legitimate Signals: Genuine job postings often have specific details about the application process, clear contact information, and realistic requirements. If something feels off, trust your gut.
5. Watch the Follow-Up: After applying, legitimate companies usually follow up with an acknowledgment, even if it’s automated. If you only get added to a mailing list, it’s a red flag.

If a company is unresponsive, disorganized, or vague during the application process, it might be a sign that they’re not the best place to work. Trust your instincts and consider whether you’d want to work somewhere that doesn’t respect your time.

I feel you on this job-seeking journey and have several examples of brands doing this that I won’t call out here because I’m not 100% certain of their intentions, but you can bet I have unfollowed, opted out, removed from my feed, and discussed negative behaviors with my circle.

And one other term to throw into this mix: #vanitymetrics.
As a marketer, your brand is on a slippery slope if you’re counting job applicants as engaged followers in your metrics.

There, I said it.

Getting Around Being Ghosted – Investing In Your #PersonalBrand Matters 👻

While proactive follow-up is always a good idea, you may still hear crickets if you are communicating with an individual via email. Resist the urge to bombard the recruiter with messages. Instead, send a final polite email thanking them for their time and consideration. This leaves the door open for future opportunities.

Circling back to the TOP TIP in circumventing ghosting during the job application process, which means you haven’t made it to the screening and interview stage:

Connect on LinkedIn/Respond Thoughtfully on LinkedIn Posts – this is an integral part of your personal brand! 🔗

• Don’t be afraid to leverage your connections: those who work there -or- someone you know who knows someone who works there (3 degrees of separation on LinkedIn 😉, plus they might get referral bonuses too!)
• If the job poster is shown to you, send a direct message and/or connect with them. They may not see it or answer, but it’s another way to stand out -- use a clever subject line, share something you have in common, and why you’re the ideal candidate. But definitely do not say, “I hope this finds you well…” 😒
• Engage thoughtfully on content and posts (hitting the like button is not enough) so that your name is noticed by the recruiter, hiring manager, and key team members.
• Do you strategically post and create/share content, especially content relevant to the job you are seeking? Do you tag and invite key influencers to give feedback? How are you leveraging the LinkedIn platform to your benefit?

Your time and energy are valuable, and you deserve to be treated with respect in your job search. Don’t let these shady tactics leave you high and dry—or worse, a victim of identity theft. 🕵️‍♂️

And to all the brands out there playing this vanity metrics game, here’s a tip: Treat your candidates like humans, not targeting data points. Authenticity goes a long way, and so does transparency. 🤝

Side trip over.

P.S. Still think this isn't real? Google stories, and you'll find them. 🫢

Full story here: https://dev.to/ikemhood/the-fake-job-listings-that-was-just-a-front-for-pushing-malware-my-story-38f6