How to Spot Fake Job Openings in 2025 (and What to Do Instead)

The job market is tough enough without scammers and fake job listings wasting your time. Yet, in 2025, fraudulent job postings are more sophisticated than ever appearing on LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and even company websites. If you’re job hunting, knowing how to separate real opportunities from scams is a must.

While I would personally like a law passed with a nice hefty fine attached to it for each fraudulent job posting, we’re not there yet… But here’s a guide from ECNY to help in spotting fake job postings, verifying their legitimacy, and ensuring as best as possible that you don’t fall victim to employment scams. Let’s Go! 🚀

🚩 Red Flags: How to Spot Fake Job Postings Quickly

Before investing time in an application, watch out for these common signs of a fake or misleading job listing

Too Good to Be True Offers

-Ridiculously high salaries for entry-level positions

-No required experience but offers top-tier pay

-Minimal job descriptions with vague responsibilities

Reality Check: If a job sounds like an instant jackpot with no effort, it’s probably a scam.

Unverified Company or Recruiter

-Job listings that aren’t on the company’s official website

-No LinkedIn profile for the recruiter or hiring manager

-Generic email domains (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) instead of company addresses

Reality Check: Legitimate recruiters use company email addresses, and real jobs appear on official websites.

Immediate Hiring with No Interview

-"You’re hired!" after just submitting your resume

-No screening, interview, or reference checks

-Requests for personal information (Social Security Number, banking details) upfront

Reality Check: Legitimate companies follow a structured hiring process.

Upfront Payment or Investment Required

-Job offers that require you to buy training materials

-Requests to pay for background checks or administrative fees

-"Work-from-home" scams asking for an initial deposit to get started

Reality Check: You should never pay to get a job. If they ask for money, it’s a scam.

How to Confirm a Job Posting’s Legitimacy

1. Verify the Company Website

Always go directly to the company’s website and check if the job is listed under their careers page. Scammers often impersonate real companies, so verify the contact details.

Pro Tip: Call or email the company using official contact information from their website to confirm the job opening.

2. Research the Recruiter

Look up the recruiter on LinkedIn.

A legitimate recruiter should have:

• A detailed profile with multiple connections

• A professional work history at real companies

• Posts and engagement within their industry

• Testimonials from people they have worked with

Red Flags:

🚩No LinkedIn profile or only a few connections

🚩Profile created recently with no past work experience

🚩Generic profile picture or stock images

🚩No industry specific posts or comments

3. Reverse Search the Job Description

Scammers copy and paste job descriptions from legitimate sources. Use Google or AI-powered search tools to check if the exact job description appears on multiple, unrelated sites.

How to do it:

-Copy a section of the job description

-Paste it into Google with quotes (e.g., "Looking for a motivated team player...")

-See if multiple companies post the same job—a big red flag!

4. Check for Reviews and Complaints

Use Glassdoor, Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Reddit to check if:

✅The company has recent complaints about scams

✅Former employees say the company doesn't exist

✅Others report receiving the same suspicious job offer

🔎 Where to look:

-Glassdoor

-Better Business Bureau

-Reddit r/Scams

Smart Job Search Strategies to Avoid Scams

1. Stick to Verified Job Boards

Use platforms that vet their job postings, like:

L-inkedIn Jobs

-Wellfound (formerly AngelList) (for startups)

-Hired (for tech professionals)

-USAJobs.gov (for government jobs)

Avoid: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and random classified sites - they’re hotspots for scams.

2. Set Up Job Alerts Directly from Company Websites & Google Alerts on the Companies

If you’re targeting specific companies, sign up for job alerts on their official website instead of relying on third-party job boards.

Benefits:

-You’ll see new openings first before they hit public job boards

-You’ll see daily news updates about changes within the company the job posting belongs to

-You eliminate the risk of falling for fake listings

3. Build a Strong LinkedIn Presence

Recruiters love hiring through LinkedIn. If you’re active on LinkedIn, opportunities will come to you – remember: “Activity Breeds Opportunity!”®.

How to stand out:

• Optimize your LinkedIn profile with relevant keywords you can enter up to 100 skillsets

• Post insights about your industry to attract recruiters

• Share industry relevant information and show how you’re keeping your finger on the pulse of your industry

• Network with employees from companies you’re interested in

AI Tip: Use ChatGPT or LinkedIn’s AI Assistant to draft networking messages that sound personal, not robotic. BUT – review for accuracy and infuse your personality into them too!

What to Do If You Encounter a Fake Job Posting

Caught a scam? Here’s what to do:

🔹 Report it – Alert the job board (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.)

🔹 Warn others – Share it on Reddit or Twitter to prevent more victims

🔹 Never click suspicious links – Scammers use phishing links to steal your info

🔹 Block the sender – If you were contacted by email or LinkedIn, block them immediately

Final Thoughts: Stay Smart & Proactive 🛡

Fake job postings are everywhere, but now you have the tools to spot them before they waste your time.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

✔️ If a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is

✔️ Always verify companies and recruiters before applying

✔️ Stick to reputable job boards and set up direct company alerts

✔️ Trust your gut – If something feels off, walk away

The real hidden job market isn’t filled with fake listings - it’s built through smart networking, company research, and direct outreach. Now that you know how to avoid scams, focus on real opportunities and land your dream job the right way!⚡