How To Spot Recruitment Scams and Land Real Interviews

 

Last Thursday, I shared a post on LinkedIn about a fake recruiter who targeted teachers with a well-crafted scam.

If you didn’t catch it, here’s a quick rundown:

The scam involved fake job postings for a popular education company.

Teachers were asked to DM (direct message) their resumes instead of applying through a proper link.

Soon after, the recruiter claimed there was a problem uploading the resumes and recommended using a specific resume service.

The service charged hundreds of dollars, then pushed for more money while delivering little to no value.

The worst part?

None of the jobs were real.

This story hit a nerve because scams like this are all too common.

Teachers transitioning to corporate roles are prime targets.

Scammers know you’re eager to leave the classroom and unfamiliar with how hiring works in other industries, so they exploit that vulnerability.

Let’s break down exactly how to spot, report, and avoid these scams.

How to Spot and Avoid Fake Job Scams

Legitimate jobs use a formal application process

Real companies will direct you to their careers page or an official application portal.

If someone tells you to apply through DMs or email, it’s a major red flag.

Always double-check by visiting the company’s careers page to confirm the job posting exists.

Real recruiters don’t profit from your job search

A legitimate recruiter will never recommend a paid service to fix your resume or assist with your application.

If someone pushes a paid service, walk away.

Recruiters are compensated by employers, not job seekers.

Verify the recruiter’s identity

Look up the recruiter on LinkedIn, Google, and ChatGPT.

Check for consistent job titles, a detailed profile, and a professional email address that matches the company’s domain.

Profiles with vague details, incomplete information, or personal email addresses (like Gmail) are signs of a scam.

Slow down and ask questions

Scammers often create urgency to pressure you into acting without thinking.

Take your time.

Ask for specific details about the job, the company, and the hiring process.

Be wary if their answers are vague, inconsistent, or evasive.

Trust your instincts

If something feels off, listen to your gut.

Pause and do your research.

If needed, reach out to the company directly to confirm the recruiter and job posting are legitimate.

Report any scams you encounter

If you identify a scam, don’t ignore it.

Use the Block & Report feature to report it to LinkedIn.

Speaking up protects you and others from scams.

Spotting them keeps you safe; crafting a strong resume propels you forward.

Let’s dig into how you can transform your teaching experience into something that catches a recruiter’s eye.

We'll start by cracking the code on the most common question in my inbox this past week:

"How do I describe my teaching experience on a corporate resume?"

The Short Answer:

You don't just describe it.

You weaponize it.

Most of you make a fatal mistake.

You list your classroom duties like a job description.

Boring.

Forgettable.

Ineffective.

You need to transform your teaching expertise into a skillset that corporate recruiters can’t ignore.

Here's how:

Reframe Your Experience

Take your current job description.

Now translate it into language that makes recruiters sit up and take notice.

Typical: "Taught 8th Grade Mathematics"

Corporate Translation: "Developed and implemented data-driven educational strategies, improving student performance metrics by 22% through adaptive learning techniques and targeted intervention programs"

See the difference?

Same work.

Different lens.

Three Quick Wins:

1. Quantify Everything. Numbers are your secret weapon.
2. Speak Their Language. Swap education terms for business lingo specific to the industry or role.
3. Highlight Leadership. Every classroom is a team you've managed. 

 

Insider Tip: Recruiters are hunting for project managers, communication experts, and performance strategists.

Your teaching experience checks ALL those boxes.

Action Item This Week:

Rewrite ONE resume bullet point using these strategies.

Send it my way.

I'm excited to see how you're reimagining your professional story.

Onward!