Employment: Consumer Tips

Numerous websites post private-industry job openings. In addition, all federal government jobs are announced to the public at https://www.usajobs.gov/. Many companies also offer a way to apply online. However, these sites and methods do not replace traditional and proven job-hunting approaches such as networking, personal contacts, business organizations and interviewing.

Pre-employment Credit Checks

Potential employers are not just reading your résumé; they are also reviewing your credit history to find out if you pay your bills on time, how much money you owe and if someone has sued you. Some states limit employers' ability to access or use your credit report when making hiring decisions. Get your reports at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/ before you begin a job search, so you can correct inaccuracies.

Work-at-Home Companies

Not all work-at-home opportunities deliver on their promises. Some classic work-at-home schemes are medical billing, envelope stuffing, and assembly or craftwork. Ads for these businesses say, "Be part of one of America's Fastest-Growing Industries. Earn thousands of dollars a month from your home!" Legitimate work-at-home program sponsors should tell you, in writing, what is involved in the program they are selling. Here are some questions you might ask a promoter:

• What tasks will I have to perform? Ask the program sponsor to list every step of the job.
• Will I be paid a salary, or will my pay be based on commission?
• Who will pay me?
• When will I get my first paycheck?
• What is the total cost of the work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees? What will I get for my money?

The answers to these questions may help you determine whether a work-at-home program is appropriate for your circumstances, and whether it is legitimate.

Multilevel Marketing

Some multilevel marketing plans are legitimate; however, others are illegal pyramid schemes. In pyramids, commissions are based on the number of distributors recruited, rather than actual products that are sold. If you are thinking about joining what appears to be a legitimate multilevel marketing plan, take time to learn about the plan:

• What is the company's track record?
• What products does it sell?
• Does it sell products to the public or other businesses?
• Does it have the evidence to back up the claims it makes about its product?
• Is the product competitively priced?
• Is the product likely to appeal to a large customer base?
• How much does it cost to join the plan?
• Are monthly minimum sales required to earn a commission?
• Will you be required to recruit new distributors to earn your commission?

Employment Scams

Be aware of these common signs of employment scams:

• A scammer offers to help you find a job for a fee, but after you pay, the person disappears and you don't get the services promised.
• Work-at-home job offers make big promises but require you to spend your own money for equipment and supplies.
• Be suspicious of mystery shopper opportunities, where the scammers send you a counterfeit check to pay for your shopping work.

Take steps to protect yourself:

• Check out the reputation of employment agencies or companies offering work with your state's attorney general.
• Meet with the job promoter in person, not just by phone or online, to talk about tasks, salaries and logistics. Beware if a fee is required to work for the company.
• For more information or to file a complaint, contact your state consumer protection office (https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer) or The Federal Trade Commission (https://www.ftc.gov/).

Unemployment

The government's Unemployment Insurance program provides benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and who meet other eligibility requirements. Each state administers its own program under federal guidelines. Eligibility requirements, benefit amounts and length of benefits are determined by the states. Go to https://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/unemployment-insurance/index.htm for more information. Some states offer extended unemployment benefits for eligible recipients.