Straight Talk: Job hunters must stay alert to resume-formatting scams

Better Business Bureau
·2 min read
BBB logo
BBB logo

Better Business Bureau serving Canton Region and Greater West Virginia offers tips and advice for consumers to avoid fraudulent practices.

To find the job of your dreams, you need a well-crafted resume, right? According to recent BBB.org/ScamTrackers reports, con artists have devised yet another way to trick job seekers out of money and personal information. If you are asked to pay to reformat your resume for a company's applicant tracking system during your job search, think twice before you agree. This scam is convincing because many companies use software to automate resume reviews.

How the scam works

You are contacted by a headhunting company that found your information on LinkedIn or a job search website. They claim you are an excellent candidate for a well-paying position they are looking to fill. But first, you must send them your resume and do a virtual interview.

The request seems reasonable, so you email them your resume. Shortly afterward, they contact you letting you know they received the resume, but it is not properly formatted for their ATS system. Now, the “recruiter” directs you to a website where you can get the resume reformatted.

You visit the website, where you find out you will need to submit personal information and make a payment for the service. If you accept, you will receive a “formatted” resume that does not look much different from your original resume – if you receive anything at all. The formatting service is a dishonest scheme to get your money and personal details. The job you are applying for does not even exist.

How to avoid this scam

  • Research the job offer. If you get a job or interview offer, especially one that sounds too good to be true, research it. Visit the company website or call them to see if a job posting or opening exists. If a third-party headhunter contacts you, research that company or service. Look for any reports of suspicious activity or scams. If you cannot find a legitimate website or contact information, think twice before you message them back.

  • Never pay to get a job. If someone says paying for resume formatting will guarantee you a job – or even just paying a fee in general – do not believe it.

  • Report job scams. If a scammer contacts you through LinkedIn, report them to the platform at bit.ly/LinkedInscam.

  • Format your resume before you send it. If you are worried about ATS formatting Forbes recommends using traditional and simple fonts. Do not include extra colors, tables, and charts. Spell out acronyms. And submit your resume as a Word doc instead of a PDF. These are easy “fixes” you do not need to pay for.

FOR MORE INFORMATION – If you have been the victim of a scam, report it at BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams.

FOR BBB INFORMATION – Visit BBB.org/canton or call 330-454-9401 to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, read tips, find our events and follow us on social media.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Straight Talk: Job hunters must stay alert to resume-formatting scams