Recruitment isn’t just about matching résumés to job descriptions. It’s about building trust—between recruiters, candidates, and employers. But lately, the rise of scammers is hurting that trust in ways that affect us all.
Few days ago, I noticed a scam alert signboard at the MRT station outside my house, warning about fake job offers. I didn't think too much about it. But today, a potential candidate I reached out to assumed I was a scammer and responded rudely. My first reaction was feeling angry and wronged, but after a few seconds I recalled the signboard I saw and calmed down. Can’t blame him... it’s the unfortunate world we’re living in now, dealing with all sorts of scammers.
This reminded me that as recruiters, we need to be even more cautious and transparent in how we approach people.
💔 The Fallout
Job seekers are on edge, unsure who they can trust.
Hiring managers are skeptical, questioning every outreach.
Authentic recruiters are caught in the middle, fighting to prove their legitimacy.
For those of us making cold calls or sending cold emails, this skepticism is a growing challenge. What was once a respectful opportunity to connect now feels like navigating a trust minefield.
🔑 Here’s how we can fight back:
1. Lead with credibility: Always share verifiable information, like your LinkedIn profile and your company’s contact details. Transparency is everything.
2. Be empathetic: Acknowledge the skepticism and assure candidates you’re here to build meaningful, legitimate connections.
3. Empower others with knowledge: Share resources and tips to help job seekers spot scams and protect themselves from fraud.
Every day, I’m reminded that honesty and transparency aren’t just nice-to-haves, they ARE CRITICAL.
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