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While Papua New Guineans are generally hardworking and honest, there remains to be a handful of people who are out there to trick people for their own personal gain. So, much like you would a normal online ad, it’s important that you approach job listings with extreme caution. If something seems off or odd, listen to your instinct. However, many fake job postings will also seem like legitimate ads.

So, how do you distinguish the bad apples from the good ones? Here are a few tips to help you filter out sketchy job listings and to help you avoid putting your personal information at risk.

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Many people warn us about being careful when they see that something we like looks a little perfect… maybe a little too perfect. That’s because our human nature includes a natural defense mechanism against danger. Much like pain sends our brain a signal that we’re getting hurt even if we don’t see it; our intuition also warns us when something looks right but doesn’t feel right.

So, if you have no experience and you see that an LNG company based in Port Moresby is offering you a salary that’s at par with international standards, comes with good benefits, and tells you that it’s even going to pay for your lodging and food, it may seem like a good opportunity. But since it’s not an offer you’d hear often, it’s best to do your own background check on the company.

If they turn out to be legitimate, then grab the opportunity and read the fine prints. If you can’t even find the address of their main office, then that should serve as a red flag.

If the ad’s been up for too long, there may be something wrong.

Speaking of red flags, another indicator of a fake job listing is the duration the ad has been online. While a poster may have several reasons for not deleting the listing after maybe 3 weeks or more, the more important question to ask is why the position has not been filled yet. Even if the company is legitimate, you have to wonder why they either haven’t found the right person yet or haven’t gotten anybody willing to take the job yet.

On the other hand, multiple posts of the same ads for the same company for the same position in great frequency is not any better too.

If they’re asking for cash, throw the offer in the trash.

This specific warning sign is specific to scams. Whether the ad is from a recruitment agency or from the company directly, no legitimate employment entity will ever ask for money from potential employees. You don’t need K200,000 just to secure your spot with an employer. This is not a sale where you pick your position and pay. This is a job application where your qualifications are your selling points. And remember that you’re applying for a job because you want to earn money, not spend it.

If they need sensitive information, point them towards another direction.

Usually, employers first ask for just resumes before going into the nit and grit of your professional background. However, the most common information scammers want from you will be your credit card information. But since the credit climate in Papua New Guinea has not grown to its full potential yet, not a lot of credit information is available, compared to other countries. So, what scammers can target next are your identification numbers. This is so that they can perform fraud and identity theft. As a rule of thumb, never give out any sensitive information, even your date of birth and middle name. These are the things con artists can use to steal your identity before they leave you high and dry.

Always check for professionalism.

A professional will not ask to meet you over drinks. A professional will be able to answer your questions about the company and what it does. A professional will not flirt with you over the phone. A professional will consistently be professional. So, if in the course of the application process they decide to shift gears and become real personal, that should serve as a warning that your contact person is after more than just a professional objective. Remember to always keep your guards up so that you don’t get trapped in dangerous situations.

Always check for feedback

If possible, always check if people have given feedback for the company. If there is none or you see mostly negative reviews, then it would be best if you look for another employer instead. If it’s a mix of good and bad reviews, use your best judgment to see whether the positive ones outweigh the negative ones or if it’s the other way around.

These are just few of the things you can do to avoid being fooled into terrible or non-existent employment. Ultimately, the choice will still be yours to make. Not every employer posting vacancies in PNG are out to fool you. You just need to learn how to be more aware of the process sometimes. And if you remain vigilant, then you’re guaranteed to get the perfect position for you.