You’re always open to the idea of finding a better position. The good news is there are all sorts of headhunters who are seeking qualified candidates for legitimate executive positions. You will also find that it’s not hard to come across an executive job search scam. How do you separate the legitimate contacts from those with other motives? Here are a few tips that will help.
One is to research the contact and see what information you can find. Job placement professionals, including those who seek candidates for executive positions, are likely to enjoy excellent online reputations and be transparent in their conversations with you and with others. If you come across information that seems manufactured or have trouble finding much at all, that could be a sign of a scam artist.
If the name of the potential employer is provided, do some checking on that business. Is it real and does it have a good reputation? Make use of your existing business contacts to find out if the company is indeed looking to add members to its executive team. If your efforts don’t provide results, pass on the offer.
Last, look into the payment arrangements that are associated with the job search. Most firms pay legitimate headhunters to seek out qualified candidates. If it’s clear that you have to shell out money in order to learn more about the job opportunity, it’s likely some sort of executive job search scam and not worth your time or your financial resources.
Remember to trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy for any reason, that’s all you need to shut down the contact at once. While that may mean missing out on the occasional real opportunity, it also means you’re less likely to be taken in by a scam artist.
