No BS Career Advice: January 18 2025 ‣ Diverse Daily

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

~Dr. Martin Luther King

Monday is a US holiday to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, who died at the hands of assassin. The image is the crowd at his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, DC in 1963.

New signups for my coaching programs at JobSearch.Community have increased. What gratifies me is that I listened to requests from people to offer individual products for purchase for people who don’t want to commit to a monthly recurring fee for coaching and content. I don’t want to put a full list of products here; it will take up too much space.

I offer a number of free products on the homepage of JobSearch.Community. One of the paid services I offer at the site are $99 resume critiques and LinkedIn profile critiques. If you aren’t getting the results you want, let me correct some of the issues you may be experiencing.

How to Spot a Legitimate Corporate Recruiter on LinkedIn

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

Recruiters are often the gatekeepers to incredible opportunities. For college-educated professionals, LinkedIn serves as a primary hub for these connections. However, as the digital landscape evolves, so too do the tactics of scammers aiming to exploit eager job hunters. Distinguishing between a legitimate recruiter offering a career-defining role and a bad actor seeking personal information or money is more crucial than ever.

This guide, designed for the discerning LinkedIn user, will provide 7-10 actionable strategies to vet recruiters and ensure your job search remains safe and productive.

1. Scrutinize Their LinkedIn Profile: The Digital Business Card

A legitimate recruiter’s LinkedIn profile is their professional storefront. It should be fully developed and reflect a consistent career path in recruitment or human resources.

Professional Photo: A clear, professional headshot is standard. Beware of profiles with no photo, generic stock images, or overly casual pictures.
Detailed Experience: Look for a comprehensive work history that clearly shows their current role at a recognized company (staffing agency or in-house HR department). Gaps in employment without explanation, vague job titles, or a history of very short stints at multiple, obscure companies can be red flags.
Connections and Endorsements: While not foolproof, a legitimate recruiter will typically have hundreds, if not thousands, of connections, many of whom are other professionals in their field or industry. Look for endorsements and recommendations that speak to their recruiting expertise.
Activity: Do they share industry insights, comment on posts, or engage in meaningful discussions? A static profile with no recent activity can be suspicious.

2. Verify Their Company: Due Diligence is Key

The company a recruiter claims to represent is the bedrock of their legitimacy. Never take this at face value.

Official Website: Search for the company independently. Does it have a professional website? Does the recruiter’s name appear on the “Our Team” or “Contact Us” page (for smaller firms)?
Online Presence & Reviews: Check for news articles, press releases, and reviews on sites like Glassdoor or Google. A complete lack of online footprint for a supposed recruiting firm is a major warning. Be wary of newly established companies with generic names.
Matching Information: Ensure the company name, logo, and contact details on their LinkedIn profile precisely match the official company website. Discrepancies are a red flag.

3. Examine the Job Description: Specificity vs. Vagueness

Legitimate job postings are detailed and transparent. Scammers often use generic language to cast a wide net.

Specific Role & Responsibilities: A real job description will clearly outline the role’s duties, required skills, qualifications, and reporting structure.
Company & Location: It should explicitly state the company hiring (or the type of company if the recruiter is discreet) and the job’s location (remote, hybrid, or in-office). Vague mentions like “a leading tech company” or “opportunity in your area” without further detail are suspicious.
Realistic Expectations: Be wary of roles promising incredibly high salaries for minimal experience, or positions that sound too good to be true.

4. Observe Their Communication Style: Professionalism Matters

The way a recruiter communicates can reveal a lot about their authenticity.

Professional Language: Expect clear, grammatically correct, and professional communication. Typos, poor grammar, and overly casual or urgent language can indicate a scam.
Personalization: While some initial outreach might be templated, subsequent messages should be personalized, referencing your profile and specific skills.
Pressure Tactics: Legitimate recruiters understand the job search process takes time. Be suspicious of anyone pressuring you to make immediate decisions, sign documents without review, or provide sensitive information on the spot.

5. Never Pay for a Job: The Golden Rule

This is perhaps the most critical red flag: Legitimate recruiters do not charge job seekers for their services. Their fees are paid by the hiring companies.

No Upfront Fees: If a recruiter asks you for money for training, background checks, resume reviews, or any other “service” to secure a job, it’s a scam.
“Placement Fees”: This is a classic scam tactic. Real recruiters are compensated by the employer when you are successfully placed.

6. Protect Your Personal Information: Only Share What’s Necessary, When Necessary

Be extremely cautious about what personal information you share, especially early in the process.

Early Stage: A legitimate recruiter will typically only need your resume/CV and perhaps a brief overview of your experience in the initial stages.
Sensitive Data: Never share your bank account details, social security number (SSN), credit card information, or date of birth with a recruiter until you have a confirmed job offer and are completing official onboarding documents directly with the hiring company.
Unusual Requests: Be suspicious of requests for photos of your identification or requests to install specific software on your computer.

7. Cross-Reference Information: Double-Check Everything

If anything feels off, take a moment to cross-reference the information provided.

Google Search: Search the recruiter’s name, their company, and the job title. Look for consistent information across multiple reputable sources.
LinkedIn Search: Search for other employees at the supposed company on LinkedIn. Do they have similar profiles? Does the recruiter’s connection network align with the company’s industry?
Contact Independently: If you’re highly suspicious, you can try to find a general contact email or phone number for the company (not the one provided by the recruiter) and inquire if the recruiter is indeed an employee.

8. Trust Your Gut: Intuition is a Powerful Tool

Sometimes, the most reliable indicator is your own intuition. If a recruiter’s offer sounds too good to be true, if their story changes, or if something simply doesn’t feel right, listen to that internal alarm. It’s always better to err on the side of caution.

By diligently applying these strategies, you can confidently navigate the recruiter landscape on LinkedIn, identifying genuine opportunities while safeguarding your personal information and career aspirations. Your proactive approach will not only protect you but also enhance your ability to connect with the legitimate professionals who can truly advance your career.

In addition, I released a lot of new content in my blog including:

Struggling to Relocate? Why Can’t Recruiters Help? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mbU

A Few Points About Your Interview Goals https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9mF

If a Job Listing on LinkedIn Isn’t Set Up for EasyApply https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mco

The Disengaged Interviewer https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oqV

The Big Lesson from Television for Executive Job Hunters https://wp.me/p4aIk1-YC

The 24-Hour Rule https://youtu.be/YkAxgUTYfPw

Is It OK to Say the Job Was Misrepresented to Me? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oFb

No BS Career Advice: January 11, 2026 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oF4

Don’t Forget This Part of Ikigai https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oEF

Here’s How to Be Invited onto a Corporate Board https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kcB

Stop Kidding Yourself https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oFf

What is a Good Answer to “Why do you want this job?” https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oES

Next Level Interview Stories https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oFr

A Warning for Information Workers https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oFm

The Executive Playbook: Navigating a C Suite Transition https://wp.me/p4aIk1-orx

Stupid Career Mistakes: You Never Meet New People https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9p0

Don’t Act Desperate! https://youtu.be/6Jrll0Tzwus

Employer Branding: Do You Know Why They Contact You? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jcE

What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o

A Prompt to Help Prepare for a Consulting Case Interview https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oFF

The Silent Language: Master Your Interview Body Language https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oF0

5 Proven Tips to Supercharge Your LinkedIn Profile https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lz4

Employer Branding: Pay Attention to Candidate Experience https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jdC

Crafting Your LinkedIn Mission Statement https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oFY

You Are a Brand https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oFU

Stop Kidding Yourself: AI Is Coming for Your White-Collar Job https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oFj

Three Principles to Apply When Considering a Career Change https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dH0

Build Your Referral Community https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oGf

A Job Search Lesson from Justin Trudeau #shorts https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oGb

Reinventing Your Career: Expert Advice for a Successful Transition https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ltU

You Only Lack Experience https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hiV

The Executive Job Search Goldmine https://youtu.be/Eiv3Ig0zVFU

Schedule a free discovery call with me at www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule to discuss my coaching you during your job search and beyond.

Subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio in Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to or watch podcasts. Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday I release new episodes.

#BeGreat

Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC

People Hire Me for No BS Job Search Coaching, Career Coaching and Career Advice Globally Because I Make Job Search and Succeeding in Your New Job Easier | I’ll Help You Find Your Next Job When No One Else Can

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