Three Things Job Seekers Must Avoid

Unemployment is stressful. Especially for a new grad, who is unsure of what the "working world" will be like, or how the process of interviewing and hiring really works. While a job seeker is eager to get the ball rolling on their new gig, there are some things to avoid when looking and applying for jobs:

1) Be Wary of Ads That do not Include a Business Name

A lot of companies post ads on craigslist, careerbuilder and monster without including their business name. While it's true that some of these are actually legitimate companies that choose not to disclose their identity (perhaps because the more popular foresee an influx of too many resumes they must sort through), most of them know that if they showed you their name, you would not want to work for them.

Case in Point: I applied to a job that described itself as an "Entry Level Sports Marketing Firm." They said they were looking for entrepreneurs eager to initiate their career in marketing and account management. When I got a call back from them, they still declined to tell me their business name. So, I looked up their phone number and address on google and found out that they were Hyphire Solutions, a door-to-door sales position. I did not interview with them, for I felt that if they couldn't be honest up front, they probably wouldn't be the best employer to work for.

2) Do Not Settle for "Market Rate" Salary

Many employers post this as their compensation offer. But "market rate" is a meaningless moniker that basically translates into "We will make you an offer and expect you to like it."

Case in Point: I called a company (who chose to remain anonymous after I threatened to disclose their secret) that posted this information on careerbuilder, and they said this figure was in accordance to current market trends. What does that mean? "It means you will get paid what most of the employees in this sector make." Wow, glad they cleared that up.

If they can't be up front about their definition of "market rates," they probably want to give you the lowest offer possible and expect that you will bow down to their expertise on salary data. Do your research, find out what someone in the position you are looking into makes, and bring this information with you if you choose to pursue an interview. Knowledge of this can make you a better negotiator, and shows the employer that you aren't settling for what they initially offer.

3) There is No Easy Money

There are many scams out there looking to make a quick buck off of you. From paying a site to gain access to their job portal, to accepting a position with a company that is not looking out for your best interest is something you should be looking out for.

Case in Point: I paid a $39.95 fee to a company that offered payment for advertising on my car. While this can be a legit offer, you do not need to pay to get this kind of gig. When I went to the site, there was no such offer, and I had to dispute the transaction for three months to get my money back. There are also companies that ask you to cash their checks for them, which requires that you to give them your bank account information. Stay clear if these; they will rip you off and certainly won't pay you the advertised $1-2,000 a week.

Be careful what you apply to and what you accept when looking for a job. Remember, you will work for most of your life, so take your time, do your research, and choose wisely.