Getting an e-mail that says you are invited for a job interview is exciting especially if it is an interview for an overseas job. However before getting your hopes high, be wise and check if the sender is legitimate. This article wish to help you determine what’s real from what’s not and how to spot scammers and con artists.

First, can you remember an instance when you have given your e-mail address to a job fair or a job agency? Did you apply for a job and sent your resume online? If yes, maybe you should verify the company name through the internet or look for its contact number and call them to confirm its validity. If you cannot remember giving your e-mail address to any of the scenarios presented above, think twice and confirm the company’s legitimacy. If it does not look and sound legitimate enough, it is best to just ignore the e-mail.

Second, if the company wants you to send money immediately through courier for visa processing and work permits, that’s a clear sign of a scam. Always remember that visa and work permits is issued and paid by the employer and should not be shouldered by the applicant. 

Third, if the contact number given starts with 070 start to doubt because 070 are redirects which allows you to make calls to any country in the world.

Fourth, if the letter they send is too good to be true as it emphasizes huge salary and benefits. The scammer will often ask applicants to call them for inquiries but always remember that companies can afford to call prospect employees.

Fifth, be wary of emails that talk of job opportunities but encourage or require you to take up English language classes. They lure applicants by saying that the courses will  make them eligible for jobs to New Zealand, Wellington or Auckland. The English language scheme is usually offered to nurses and those who fall for it often gets to travel to the promise destination at their own expense but soon discover that they have spent a huge amount for non-existent jobs.