What is the best way to find a legitimate remote job?

Anonymous

October 25,2021 at 5:22PM UTC

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What is the best way to find a legitimate remote job? I'm an Executive/Administrative Assistant with many years of experience. I look at Indeed and LinkedIn daily. I had a situation last week with LinkedIn. I feel stupid that I did what I did, but it sounded like a great opportunity. The job posting (a legitimate company, which I found) gave a number to text for more information. I texted the number and did get a response. When I asked who I was speaking with I was given a name.....I could not find that name on the website or on LinkedIn. He told me he was the hiring manager for the company. When I told him that I couldn't find his name on the website, that ended the conversation. I love the kind of work I do and feel I am good at what I do, but now I'm leery of knowing when something is real and when it's not. Any advice on how to be safe and not do something like that again?

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Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.October 25,2021 at 6:39PM UTC
This has happened to me a lot, it's so frustrating. Not much you can do but follow your gut and abandon ship when it becomes clear that it's a scam. Report the ad on the site where you found it and move onto the next.
Joanne RosenOctober 25,2021 at 6:46PM UTC
Competition for Remote jobs is fierce so make sure you have a GREAT resume.
Next time, after you finish the call, find a listing for the company, call and ask to speak to that person. Make sure you have a question for him/her in case they really do exist.
Here is another source: https://www.dynamitejobs.com/
If you want to know how your resume will rate, upload it for a FREE analysis at: www.analyticadvantagecc.com
Cheers
Joanne
AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 7:59PM UTC
You did exactly what most would do. It's hard to know but you do your best due diligence.
So many people that were forced back into the office against their will truly believed it would be easy to find the same $ at a new remote job. They are now finding out its not quite that easy out there.
Keep up your vigilance and chipping away.
AnonymousOctober 28,2021 at 2:23PM UTC
and I am reading that remote workers may get pay cuts.
Vicki YangOctober 27,2021 at 3:19AM UTC
If you're a person of color or a woman you could try one of these sites:
https://remotewoman.com
https://remotepoc.com/
I've had luck hiring from them. :) They do post some jobs that aren't fully remote. Another place to try is https://builtin.com/remote (for start ups)
Alicia BetsingerOctober 28,2021 at 12:13PM UTC
Don't feel bad at all. I had my first non-legit LinkedIn job posting situation myself recently. I would be VERY wary of applying directly from LinkedIn. I recommend going to the company's website to determine if the position is actually posted there and if so, applying from there instead.
Best of luck!
Adrienne BorghoffOctober 28,2021 at 12:44PM UTC
Don't click any link they provide. They'll make a page or a profile that looks real. Try to search the company first and then find the position advertised on the Careers page. (it's happened to me too)
Peggy PetersonOctober 28,2021 at 12:54PM UTC
Indeed and Career Builders are some of the worst for getting you, fraudulent callers. I have been looking for remote part-time data entry/administrative assistant positions for over a year. If it weren't for fraudulent responses, I would have no responses. I've just learned to know if the interview isn't a video interview and it is only a text interview, chances are it's a fraud. Good luck with your hunting!
AnonymousOctober 28,2021 at 1:12PM UTC
Flexjobs is one of the best... It is a subscription, but completely legit. Try it for 30 days.
Also, make sure your LinkedIn page is set correctly.... You want hiring managers to know you are looking. I've had multiple conversations and offers just through my LinkedIn profile.
Jennifer TaylorOctober 28,2021 at 1:46PM UTC
I second FlexJobs. Also, when you use LinkedIn to find jobs, use the filter for "remote". When you find a job, do a deeper dive and find the recruiter or hiring manager and send a contact request with a note saying you are interested in the job they have posted, and that you have applied online.
GingerintheKitchenOctober 29,2021 at 2:51AM UTC
Another Flexjobs fan here. It is the absolute subject matter expert when it comes to remote work, and even remote careers. They offer free skills assessments, which may be posted with your resume to help highlight specific skill sets and technical skill levels
Joanna PoeOctober 28,2021 at 1:38PM UTC
Don't feel bad, it happens, but next time, remember the advice from 30 Rock: "Never go with a hippie to a second location." If they're using a legitimate platform like LinkedIn, why would they ask you to text? If they've got a hiring website, why would they ask you to call them using Google Meet? Stick with the known, and be safe.
HOLLY RIVERAOctober 28,2021 at 1:54PM UTC
Love this!
AnonymousOctober 28,2021 at 1:38PM UTC
If i see a role that interests me, i go find it on the company’s website directly to apply. Sadly LinkedIn seems to have quite a few scammers.
AnonymousOctober 28,2021 at 1:42PM UTC
Definitely, definitely check out UKG. I work here, they have tons of roles (some remote), and their culture/benefits are amazing! Check out their profile on fairygodboss here for their ratings/company info. I hope this helps and good luck!
Diana SchneidmanOctober 28,2021 at 1:54PM UTC
What is the goal of the scam? Do they request Social Security number or other information not available by simply connecting on LinkedIn? Are they headhunters trying to place you elsewhere and get fees without your approval? What am I missing here? Thank you.
AnonymousOctober 28,2021 at 7:29PM UTC
I didn't get that far to see what the scam part actually was. Once he gave me his name, and I replied that I didn't see him listed on the website, that ended the conversation. I just felt so silly that I fell for it to begin with.....
Courtney CainOctober 28,2021 at 2:20PM UTC
Most of the EA/AA roles at Amazon are remote because you are supporting higher level executives that work all over the country. If you have many years of experience you shouldn’t have any trouble filling a role.
AnonymousOctober 28,2021 at 2:27PM UTC
I am not sure I would have told him I could not find him on the website - rather asked for his email for direct contact. He was probably a head hunter that saw a job and was trying to get your info to present to the company. Many large companies outsource their HR and to be honest I work for a Fortune50 company and you will not find our HR recruiting team's names easily if at all. Normally you find the C-Suite and board members.
Ruth A. Ford, PHROctober 28,2021 at 6:04PM UTC
It's true that many large organizations outsource their recruitment functions or use staffing agencies. However, any legitimate company or recruiter is still going to have you apply through some sort of applicant tracking system. Your instincts were right on (no recruiter in their right mind is going to ask to be bombarded with text messages or phone calls all day long, LOL) so don't beat yourself up. While there are lots of legitimate opportunities on Indeed and LinkedIn, one thing you can do is go directly to the company's website to apply and/or double check that the position is posted there. Again, even with opportunities you see on Indeed or LinkedIn, the recruiter may ask some preliminary questions to gauge your interest. But after that, they are always going to direct you to apply via a company or agency website. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck!
Sarah DyeOctober 29,2021 at 12:33AM UTC
I learned that it is often best to look for remote jobs through niche communities. Companies looking for remote work tend to look for candidates through these communities. These communities often post job postings through their websites or on their newsletters. I know in the tech space, some communities will screen companies before they post their job openings on their site so they will be more legit.