Recruiters or Resume Sellers? Ask the Question.

If you're actively looking for a new opportunity on LinkedIn, stay alert.

Today I was contacted by two different "recruiters." I'll share the second conversation when I receive it, but I'm posting this one because it's a fair and straightforward question.

"Is this an opportunity, or are you going to offer me a resume writing service?"

As of writing this post, I haven't received a response.

That doesn't automatically mean this isn't a legitimate recruiter. It may be. I don't know.

My point is this: don't be afraid to ask direct questions.

As job seekers, we're sharing our resumes, employment history, and sometimes personal information. Taking a few moments to verify whom you're speaking with is time well spent.

Suppose this turns out to be a legitimate opportunity; great. If not, asking the question may save someone time, money, or frustration.

I'll also share the second conversation once I receive it so everyone can compare the interactions.

I've been documenting my job search, recruiting experiences, and other career observations on my blog at NielFlamm.com/blog. I hope some of those experiences help others navigate today's job market.

Have you received messages like this on LinkedIn? What questions do you ask before engaging?

Recruiter... or Resume Sales Pitch? You Decide.

Ever receive a message on LinkedIn that looks like the start of a great career opportunity, only for the conversation to take an unexpected turn?

I recently had an interaction that left me scratching my head. It started like a normal recruiter conversation but quickly shifted into something that felt very different.

Was it a legitimate recruiting discussion, clever marketing, or something in between?

I'll let you decide.

Watch the full video and see the entire conversation for yourself at https://NielFlamm.com/videos/scams.

While you're there, check out the rest of my Internet Garbage—you never know what strange story, movie review, or life experience I'll post next.