I was a guest on the podcast "Young Professionals Career Catalyst," Shelley Mailey of Dreamcatcher Career Coaching interviewed me. Be sure you subscribe to Shelley's podcast. Job scams affect younger and older generations differently

Shelley and I discuss the severity of job scams, noting a Better Business Bureau statistic of $2 billion in annual losses. Younger and older generations are affected differently by job scams. Younger people frequently fall for scams due to desperation for career opportunities, while older adults tend to lose more money per scam.

I describe the tactics scammers use, emphasizing the importance of being strategic and cautious about personal information. Scammers often employ social engineering to exploit job seekers' vulnerabilities, tricking them through seemingly legitimate offers.

Recent scam tactics, like "resume looting," where scammers hack job portals to steal massive amounts of personal data, urge job seekers to apply directly on company websites and verify the legitimacy of job offers.

I give examples of sophisticated scams, such as fake emails from "recruiters" with perfect grammar and spelling, possibly crafted using AI.

I advise scrutinizing the personal tone of such emails, checking company websites, and reporting suspicious communications to confirm their authenticity. Dyson lists red flags and warning signs of job scams, like unsolicited calls, seemingly perfect job offers, and requests for personal information too early.

I recommend using tools like Google Voice or YouMail to protect one's phone number. He also advises running regular security scans on computers and using a VPN, especially when accessing public Wi-Fi.

In terms of recently observed job scams, "resume looters" who hacked job portals to steal personal data, and how international scams often precede similar schemes in the U.S. He urges job seekers to be vigilant in verifying company legitimacy and to report scams immediately, detailing how to protect oneself by notifying relevant entities, running security scans, and monitoring credit reports.

I offer tips on spotting and avoiding scams, emphasizing the need for thorough research, verification of email addresses, and understanding common tactics scammers use. He discusses the role of AI in these scams, noting that while AI can craft convincing communications, it can't yet replace the need for personal verification of job offers and recruiter identities.

I wrap up with practical steps for job seekers if they become scam victims. Dyson advises reporting scams to ic3.gov, notifying entities where personal information was shared, and running security scans on affected devices. Proactively monitor one's financial and digital footprints to prevent further damage.

– Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number

– Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen, and leave a message

– Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

Join “The Job Scam Report community!

– Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number

– Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen, and leave a message

– Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

If you haven’t already subscribed, be sure you Join “The Job Scam Report community!

Brad Minton and I recorded this conversation at the National Career Development Association (NCDA) conference.

Highlights:

The conversation focuses on job search trends, particularly challenges faced by Gen Z and recent college graduates.

Brad shares insights about the importance of starting career development early, the role of networking, and embedding internships into college curriculums.

We discuss using new platforms like Riverside for podcasting and reflect on helping students navigate the tumultuous job market, emphasizing the importance of human connection and proactive career planning.

Jack shares his insights on the fluctuating job market, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and adaptability.

We discuss Jack's background as a Forbes writer and how he observes economic trends. Jack highlights the importance of maintaining momentum in both career and personal life.

Jack stresses that job seekers must remain proactive, continuously improving their skills and staying updated with market trends to avoid stagnation.

We discuss the necessity of maintaining momentum and habit-building in job searching.

Jack provides insight into the challenges of today's job market, acknowledging the proliferation of job scams and the frustrations faced by job seekers, such as being ghosted by employers or encountering fake job listings.

He advises job seekers to be strategic and vigilant, advocating for holistic approaches like networking and leveraging personal connections to discover hidden job opportunities.

Jack also touches upon the broader economic environment, noting the difficulty for white-collar professionals to find new employment due to limited job creation in that sector.

He advises job seekers to adopt various mindsets and practices—such as affirmations and stoic mindset—to build resilience and stay motivated.

Jack and I emphasize the need for proactive, continuous engagement in career development, including building a network, staying informed about industry advancements, and preparing financially for potential job loss.

Jack concludes that understanding these realities can help job seekers navigate the complexities of the current job market and thrive despite the chaos. T

Jack shares his thoughts on AI's role in the job market and its potential as a valuable tool for job seekers, provided it's used wisely.

We agree that adaptability and continual learning are key to succeeding in today’s dynamic job landscape.

Don’t forget to subscribe to “The Job Scam Report” on Substack!

– Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number

– Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen, and leave a message

– Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

Bob McIntosh from the Mass Herald Lowell Career Center hosts me to talk about resilience in the job search. Bob recalls our long-time relationship and different collaborations on podcasts and articles.

Bob works with the career center and has written for other career platforms, such as JobScan and The Balance Money. Follow Bob on LinkedIn for his eloquent career postings.

Conversation highlights:

2:40-9:00 The complexities of modern job searching, including issues like unemployment rates, application processes, and networking.

9:00-14:40 We discuss the merits of side hustles and volunteering to enhance employability and skills.

14:40-17:50 There is a substantial dialogue about using AI tools like ChatGPT for research rather than drafting documents.

18:00-24:00 Audience questions address general and specific challenges, such as job market barriers for autistic individuals and strategic follow-ups for government jobs.

24:00-30:00 The discussion also includes a poll on interview experiences and strategies for dealing with long interview processes.

30:00-40:00 Assessments of industry-specific hiring trends.

40:00-54:30 The latter focuses on older workers, emphasizing their advantages, overcoming technological gaps, and maintaining work-life balance.

54:30-58:00 The session concludes with practical advice, audience interaction, and a commitment to further discussions on older workers.

Don't forget to subscribe to "The Job Scam Report" on Substack!

Empowering Senior Job Seekers: Insights with Dion Smith of Easterseals In this episode of 'The Voice of Job Seekers,' host Mark interviews Dion Smith, Manager of Programs and Compliance at Easterseals. They discuss the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) aimed at helping job seekers aged 55 and older transition from volunteerism to employment. Funded by the Department of Labor, this Title V program offers training through partnerships with nonprofit and government agencies, providing participants with a stipend and job-related skills. Dion highlights the importance of digital skills and collaborations with tech companies like IBM to enhance employment readiness. Listeners are encouraged to visit Easterseals.com or the Department of Labor's website for more information on local SCSEP opportunities.

00:41 Meet Dion Smith from Easter Seals

00:57 Overview of the Senior Community Service Employment Program

01:38 How the Program Works

02:15 Finding Local Projects and Host Agencies 03:12 Program Duration and Flexibility

03:53 Q&A: Funding and Grants

05:36 Combating Ageism and Building Skills 06:00 Importance of Digital Skills

06:42 IBM Partnership and Digital Intelligence

07:42 AI in the Workforce

08:56 Final Thoughts and How to Get Involved

This week, James T. Miller, Associate Director of Career Services at St. Xavier University, live from the San Diego National Career Development Association conference. He's my guest this week and will pop up several times on the show in the upcoming months.

James shares his experiences working with Gen Z students, emphasizing their potential, resiliency, and the value of learning from failure.

He draws analogies between Gen Z’s mindset and Formula One racing, highlighting their need for speed and efficiency.

James also discusses adjusting to industry changes, particularly in fields like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

He wraps up by discussing current challenges and opportunities at his institution, particularly for Latinx students navigating changes in FAFSA regulations.

02:02 Discussing Gen Z and Career Challenges

04:46 The Value of Failure and Resilience

09:15 Adapting to Changing Job Markets

13:41 Challenges in Higher Education

14:43 Conclusion and Contact Information

Tom Spiggle of Spiggle Law Firm is back on the show to talk about his latest book, "Fired? Afraid You Might Be?"

More about Tom:

Episode highlights:

• You need to have a plan because it's not a matter of if it's when, and it may be you're leaving voluntarily.
• Layoffs in the last few years have adversely affected the employment status of pregnant women, "There are certainly cases where an employer takes action, it's unclear what their motives are or they're not clearly discriminatory. And those can be, those can be tough cases."
• Even if they're not coming right out and saying we don't want you here because you are pregnant. And then we also have, there, we have the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which is fairly new that requires that employers give you accommodations.
• if you're, undergoing a rift, negotiate the best deal that you can. A lot of people, maybe most people don't want to, file a case in court and, haul their butt down to federal court and deal with all of that.
• if you're, undergoing a rift, negotiate the best deal that you can. A lot of people, maybe most people don't want to, file a case in court and, haul their butt down to federal court and deal with all of that.
• Some cases are worth that. But. A lot of times there are things that you can do to put yourself in a better situation. Buy yourself another six months, buy yourself another 50, 000, buy yourself some more health care while you're working with, reading some of your good work or working with some of the career professionals that I list in the book or that are out there everywhere to help you get on in that next better job.
• So just because they offer you something doesn't mean you can't negotiate it. Without having to, file a lawsuit without even having to necessarily hire an attorney or even if you do have that attorney come forward and negotiate on your behalf, which sometimes is good, but it does up the temperature a little bit.Get your best deal that you can.

– Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number

– Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen, and leave a message

– Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

Join "The Job Scam Report community!