Is It Safe?

Is It Safe?

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when you're unsure if the opportunity is legitimate. The fear of falling for a scam or not getting paid after working hard is common and understandable. Unfortunately, these situations happen often, particularly when employers have the power advantage and labor laws are slow to protect workers. If you're feeling anxious about this, you are not alone — and there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

You may find yourself repeatedly asking: Is this job safe? Will I really get paid?

These scars our mind and frighten us whenever we’re applying to a job that isn’t that popular, from a well-known company, or even during daylight hours. Where does that leave us when applying for countless jobs, and you never know if this is the one that makes you face the horrific answer to the dreaded question, " Is it safe? Will they actually pay?

These are pertinent questions, and you can only get the actual answer at the end of the shift. By that time, you’ve already toiled away 10-12 hours of labor and absolutely no guarantee that the check will clear.

What do you do?

Have this list of safety precautions in your arsenal:

1. Make Sure They’re Legit

Google the living crap out of that place; the less you find, the more red flags that should alert you. This means you’re more open to unscrupulous circumstances with the job. Search them on all social media platforms if possible, check out their website, and if their website seems off,e.g., too many spelling errors or a poorly formatted webpage,  the odds are the job is off too.

2. Share your location

In the age of technology, learn to share your location with a trusted friend who answers their phone quickly. Make sure to give them a heads-up immediately before you leave. You may think it's being overprotected; however, there have been one too many situations where predators utilized fake job interviews for vulnerable candidates. Also, make sure it's in a public location or in a verified office location. This simple step can save your life.  

3. Learn their ecosystem

You don’t know this workplace. You don’t know the people and how they operate. Your 1st job is finding those answers. Find ways to learn how they operate and what it is like to work there. You can ask questions like, " What would a typical day look like in this position? What goals should be achieved at the end of 30 days in this position? These questions will showcase your keen interest and show you what you’re in for based on their answer. And another thing, read the room. This is studying how they're dressed in the interview, the questions they're asking, their response to questions you've asked them, their body language, and even the way they interact with each other. It will tell you a big picture about what their office space is like, whether it is relaxed and chill, or stern and serious, or a huge crap show.

4. Stay Guarded

It’s easy to get comfortable, and yes, you should be, but at the same time, keep guarded. Keep your personal life separate from your professional life as much as possible. This is key for survival in the workplace. If you think they won’t use it against you, think again; they now have the option to, and their intentions will be unknown.  Some boundaries include: keeping your family and love life quiet, as well as oversharing your ongoing health issues and financial issues. These things should be on a need-to-know basis.