Picture this: You see a description for a dream job. The title sounds great, the requirements are minimal, and the pay is fantastic. In fact, you can apply quickly via email or through a job board (no cover letter or application required!). Is this too good to be true? Maybe. Maybe not. 

As a Career Center advisor, I’d want to dig a little deeper. Often, scammers will post fraudulent positions on third-party job boards with the hopes of getting applicants. Other times, these scammers will reach out directly to you (usually via email or social media) to invite you to apply or interview for a position. You should ALWAYS do your research, especially if it seems too easy. 

How do I determine if the position/company in question is, in fact, sketchy? Look for the following red flags: 

• A company offers you a position you haven't applied for OR invites you to apply for a position without any previous contact. The latter could be legitimate but requires further investigation–see below.

• The recruiter’s email address does not match the domain of the company website.

• A company is requiring you to put money forward. For example:

• You must provide your credit card, bank account numbers, or other personal financial documentation.

• The position requires an initial investment, such as a payment by wire service or courier.

• You receive an unexpectedly large check (Note: NEVER cash these! These will typically bounce and result in overdraft fees on top of dealing with a scammer having your bank account information.)

• The posting or email outreach includes many spelling and grammatical errors.

• The pay seems way too high for the position’s requirements. The description of the duties may be vague and focus instead on the compensation and benefits.

• You are asked to provide a photo of yourself.

• The employer responds very quickly (within hours of applying). 

• The employer contacts you by phone, but does not provide a number to call them back. 

Ways to proactively avoid job scams:

• Look at the company’s website. Does it have an index that tells you what the site is about; or does it contain information only about the job you are interested in? Scammers often create quick, basic web pages that seem legit at first glance.

• Watch for anonymity. If it is difficult to find an address, actual contact, company name, etc., this is cause to proceed with caution. Fraud postings are illegal, so scammers will try to keep themselves well-hidden.

• Google the employer’s phone number, fax number, address and email address. If it does not appear connected to an actual business organization, this is a red flag. Better Business Bureau, Hoovers, and AT&T’s Anywho can be used to verify organizations.

The Career Center is here to support you. If you encounter a position that you fear may be fraudulent, don’t hesitate to reach out to us (careers@umbc.edu). 

Learn more: 

https://careers.umbc.edu/fraud/ 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2019/06/18/dream-job-or-scam-how-to-know-if-a-job-posting-is-legitimate/#3a917df7477b   

As a result of the pandemic the world is facing, many internships and jobs have been moved to virtual spaces in an effort to encourage social distancing. Don’t worry,it is possible to have a rewarding, meaningful experience while working remotely. If you find yourself in a newly appointed remote situation, consider the tips below to make the most of your experience. This list may also be helpful as you navigate your summer options at companies that are planning to host remote interns.

1. Communicate clearly and often. While communication is a key part of any position, in remote situations you do not have the luxury of being in the same space as everyone else. Dropping by to chat with your co-workers or supervisor whenever you feel like it won't be as easy. Make sure you set up clear lines of communication, or even schedule more frequent check-ins.
   
   

2. Master your technology. While most people have some technological capabilities these days, that does not mean we are experts. You will likely find yourself being challenged to use technology in new ways while working remotely. As you are exposed to new online platforms and programs, take the time to make notes, figure things out, and ask questions. It is okay not to know how something works, and you will benefit from seeking guidance either from manuals or help from co-workers/supervisors.
   
   

3. Consider your work environment. When working remotely, try to find a space where you can comfortably work, but away from where you might conduct leisure activities. This can help break up your day and distinguish between your working hours and your personal time. For those with family or roommates around, consider a discussion on how to share the space and time in your homes to allow everyone to work effectively.
   
   

4. Follow a schedule. Another way to keep on track is to set a daily/weekly schedule for yourself. Especially on days where other items can compete for time and attention, you can set yourself up for success by focusing on work during  times when you are less likely to be interrupted. 

Princeton is hosting a GradFUTURES virtual webinar series! This series is aimed specifically at graduate students and forging deeper connections between students, faculty, staff, alumni, and leaders from a variety of fields. The series is from April 29th to May 1st and it is completely free for graduate students.

Follow this link to register for the any or all of the sessions below. https://gradfutures.princeton.edu/overview

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

12-1:30 PM Data Transparency, the Ph.D. Labor Market and Diverse Career Pathways

Join Matt Sigelman ’94, CEO of Burning Glass Technologies for an in-depth look at the Ph.D. labor market, the professional skills and competencies of high-value across diverse industries, and the potential impact of economic uncertainty related to COVID-19 on the landscape of opportunities. Introduction by Eva Kubu, Associate Dean and Director of Professional Development.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 30

9-9:45 AM  Ali Nouri *06, President of FAS

Join Ali Nouri *06, President of the Federation of American Scientists for a conversation about his career journey, and the role of graduate education, public policy, and PhD-trained scientists in our current moment.

12-1:30 Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Graduate Education

Join Rodney Priestley, the inaugural Vice Dean of Innovation for an overview of his vision for ways graduate students across all divisions can transform their research into solutions for society via immersion in Princeton's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem as part of their professional development. Introduction by Sarah-Jane Leslie, Dean of the Graduate School.  From 1:00-1:30 pm, Dr. Priestley will be joined by Udit Batra *96, CEO of Millipore Sigma, for a fireside chat. They will discuss Dr. Batra's leadership of MilliporeSigma in finding a treatment for COVID-19, as well as his career journey, and advice for current graduate students.

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FRIDAY, MAY 1

12-1:15 PM Hi-Phi Nation Podcast with Barry Lam *06

Join Philosophy Ph.D. alumnus Barry Lam *06 for his Hi-Phi Nation podcast. Introduction by Sarah-Jane Leslie, Dean of the Graduate School.

1:30-2:30 PM Podcasting 101 Panel

Podcasting Panel (moderated by Wright Seneres, the host of Princeton Spark.) Join us for a discussion of how graduate students can translate research, commentary, and community-sourced narratives into podcast episodes.

Panelist include:

Barry Lam *06, host of Hi Phi Nation

Margaret Koval, Director of Special Projects, Office of Communications-- SheRoars, WeRoar

Tiger Gao '21, Host of Policy Punchline podcast

4- 5 PM Closing Keynote: Fireside Chat with Ann Kirschner *78 and Sree Sreenivasan

Introduction by Sarah-Jane Leslie, Dean of the Graduate School.  Two leading thinkers on the future of academia share their thoughts on what we’ve learned and where we go from here. Ann Kirschner is University Professor at The City University of New York, and Faculty Fellow at the Futures Initiative. She is a Princeton Trustee and co-chairs Dean’s Leadership Council for the Graduate School at Princeton University.  Sree Sreenivasan is Marshall R. Loeb Visiting Professor of Digital Innovation, Stony Brook School of Journalism and former Chief Digital Officer of New York City; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; and Columbia University.

Hi Retrievers, my name is Annie Weinschenk and I work at the UMBC Career Center supporting the Maryland Technology Internship Program. I speak with employers often and many of them are eager to get things back on track and hire talented Retrievers. Although we don’t know when things will reopen, organizations are pivoting and quickly moving to remote opportunities. This post will hopefully provide resources for your career and internship search. 

As you are adjusting to the new format of distance learning, you might be worrying about the future of the workforce. We want you to know that the UMBC Career Center is here to support you during this time. The Career Center offers online appointments, virtual resume reviews, mock interviews via Big Interview, online workshops, panels, and one-on-one advising meetings as well as resources on the website to help you get through this time. Here is a link to all of the services that the Career Center is offering. 

If you have an internship for the summer and are wondering how it may be affected by COVID here are a few resources for you: (please note these are mostly crowdsourced so please double check information for accuracy)

• COVIntern 

• Is My Internship Cancelled? 

Even before people were required to work remotely, organizations were using online hiring software more frequently and adapting to workers not being centralized in one location. This is a time for organizations to focus on what their needs truly are and fill the most critical positions. According to Fast Company, industries including communications, education technology, and delivery services are growing during this time. 

Remote interviews and meetings have become common so now is a good time to familiarize yourselves with the various tools used to connect with potential employers and colleagues. Become an expert on virtual meeting tools, virtual interviewing tools and shine during your interview. Working remotely exists in many industries, whether it is nonprofit, creative, or tech work, and there are websites dedicated to online remote work. Here are a few remote work resources to begin your search:

• remote.com 

• Weworkremotely.com

• Flexjobs.com

• Virtual Vocations

• Remote Work Summit 

• WFH 

• Chegg Remote Internships

• Inside Sherpa Virtual Internship Programs

Additionally, if you had your mind set on working for a large accounting firm or doing consulting work there are resources dedicated to keeping people informed as to who is actively hiring and who is on a hiring freeze: 

• Candor 

• Still Hiring 

• Twitter - Hiring 2020 

This is an uncertain time for everyone and you are not alone. While we do not know what the future will hold, we will get through this together.  Keep applying and stay positive, and if you need additional assistance with your job or internship search, log into your UMBCworks account to schedule a Webex/phone appointment with a career advisor.