Is That Connection Request from a Professional or a Predator?

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

I share a lot of content on LinkedIn, so I am a target for creeps and scoundrels wanting to connect with me who want to take advantage of me. There are, of course, many honest people, too, but that doesn’t make for an interesting post.

I’m regularly asked how to spot a scammer on LinkedIn, and there is no foolproof way to do so.

As a result, I tend to freely accept connection requests except for podcast promoters and people who target coaches as an easy mark.

HOWEVER, when someone shares my advice and their post includes the message that they have a job that fits me and that I should send a connection request to them, my BS detector goes off, as should yours. “I have a job opportunity that aligns with your background. It’s time-sensitive, so kindly send me a connection request (or accept mine) as soon as possible so I can check if your expertise matches what my hiring contacts are urgently looking for.

Looking forward to connecting!”

Invariably, there is something “off” about their profile, just like there is with this request. After all, they can see your profile. Why is it so urgent to connect? Maybe they have 2 connections despite their profile claiming tons of experience. Maybe they reside in the United States Minor Outlying Islands

For years, people from different Asian countries sent connection requests and had profiles with pictures of themselves with an aquamarine background image.

A recent one graduated from Harvard in 2014 and has 19 years of experience doing blue-collar recruiting for Harvard from 2014 to the present. Sure.

Then, I used my favorite BS detector, Google Lens, and found the image online belonging to an academic . . . the exact same picture. Right-click over the LinkedIn profile picture and see what Lens returns. If it’s fake, report it to LinkedIn and then block the person.

Another way is to only respond to people who have verified their identity, because, in doing so, they had to submit identity documents for verification.

I wish it were possible, but I know it isn’t, for LinkedIn to identify and eliminate scoundrels on their platform any more than law enforcement can protect us from every crime before it happens. We have to take some responsibility for protecting ourselves, too. I know these are simple AND it’s basic enough that everyone can do it.

How to Elicit Missing Information

ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER

Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a coach who worked as a recruiter for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves career coaching, as well as executive job search coaching, job coaching, and interview coaching. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with more than 3000 episodes.

You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site, ⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠ Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching.

Are you interested in 1:1 coaching, interview coaching, advice about networking more effectively, how to negotiate your offer or leadership coaching? Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us

Connect with me on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter Mention you listen to the podcast or watch my YouTube channel.

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