Legitimate Work at Home

Do not send your resume right away unless you have verified that the job offer is real. Since your resume provides information about you such as your name, school, email address, home address and your phone number, thieves can use this information to steal your money and your identity.

You have probably come across at least a few of those "too good to be true" ads that offer free money right away and other benefits at no cost or hassle to you, even if you have no previous work experience. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Interesting jobs that require an employer to get to know you on a more personal basis, such as becoming a personal assistant or modeling for a local brand.

Sometimes an employer has a legitimate need to see a photo or ask questions about your personal interests.

Just be extremely cautious. When it starts sounding more like a cheesy, over-the-top dating profile instead of a job listing, then it is highly recommended that you question the legitimacy of the personal assistant position that you are applying for.

It is also a good idea to put verbal agreements to paper, especially when dealing with a small, new business or person for the first time. This is to ensure that you get paid as agreed for the work you perform.

Instead of meeting in person, send an email in response to a listing to show a business your interest - do not be afraid to ask questions.

If you have concerns, talk to your potential employer about them, especially when dealing with a sole business owner or with a business that is run from a home. For example, do not be afraid to express that you would be more comfortable meeting in a public area. Then see how open the person is to your concerns.

Break out those detective skills when checking out the legitimacy of a job listing - do your research on the company well. Be cautious if the business is claiming to be a big, hotshot company and yet there is no trace of them online.

The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That is the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.

You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

Watch out for signs of unprofessionalism, including the following red flags: asking to meet at night over drinks, dodging your questions about the company and their mission, and texting you pleasantries completely unrelated to your line of work (even before you start working).

Of course, a lot depends on the type of work you will be doing, but if you feel like your interaction is inappropriate to the setting and to what your work relationship calls for, then it probably is.

Below are some tips to help you spot shady job listings and avoid wasting your time or putting yourself or your personal information at risk:

☛ Check the dates

☛ Protect your financial information

☛ Set up a separate email account

☛ Do due diligence before sending your resume

☛ Trust your instincts

☛ Do not get too personal

☛ Look for signs of non-professionalism

☛ Get agreements in writing

☛ Speak up

☛ Do some detective work