Federal Job Scams to Avoid

Some of the fraudulent Federal job companies simply sell packages of information, while promoting them as "inside track" reports. Others lead you to believe that taking their practice exams or filling out their application forms greatly increases your likelihood of landing a Federal job. The cost of these "Federal job aids" ranges from the ol' bargain-basement price of $19.95 up to $80 or more.

But what they don't tell you, is that Federal job information and application forms are always free and readily available from government agencies. In fact, these days you can even apply on line or submit your resume directly to most agencies. They also fail to mention that the Federal government has eliminated exams for many of its jobs. Even if exams are required, the agencies administering them typically offer free sample questions once they've scheduled you to take their exams. Some of the exams, such as for the U.S. Postal Service, test your aptitude. You can't really study in advance for an aptitude exam. You've either got it already or you don't, regardless of how many times you take so-called practice exams.

There are also fraudulent companies that imply that they have loads of Federal jobs, ripe for the picking. (The same goes for state and local government jobs, in some cases.) They might promote such jobs as hidden or unadvertised, implying that they have secret, inside information that is not available to the general public. They might also guarantee that you'll land a Federal job, to further encourage you to pay the fee. But, in reality, it's impossible for them to legitimately guarantee that you'll land a Federal job, especially before they've even seen your resume. In fact, they can't legitimately guarantee you much of anything, except that they'll refund your fee if you're not satisfied. It's only after you pay the fee that you'll discover there are no jobs at all or that you could have found them yourself, for free. Good luck collecting your refund from a scam.

Scams related to U.S. Postal Service jobs are among the most common. The con artists promote their dirty work in all sorts of ways, including classified and Internet ads, email spam, and telemarketing sales pitches (e.g., via toll-free and pay-per-call phone numbers). Many even create official-sounding company names, to imply that they are associated with the U.S. government. Names like U.S. Information Center, U.S. Labor Services and National Information Service are typical. While it appears that they are different companies, it could be the same company using different names to make the "industry" appear to be more legitimate. It just so happens that the FTC won a restraining order against a company that used all three of the bogus names above, plus two more official-sounding variations.

The bottom line is, there are no hidden Federal jobs or secret, inside-track ways to land them. Legit government agencies never charge for application forms, guarantee that they will hire you or sell practice exams. To avoid the scams, never pay for information or call toll-free or pay-per-call phone numbers about Federal, state or local government jobs. Instead, go straight to the government agencies or through the central hiring authority.

The Web has made that easier than ever before. Almost every agency has a Web site that includes job openings and information on how to apply. In fact, some agencies go out of their way to explain the application process. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the central hiring authority for the government, has further simplified the process with USAJobs. It's a Web interface to the Federal Employment Information System, where you'll find all sorts of information on thousands of Federal, state and local government jobs. It won't cost you a penny.

For more information about the Federal Employment Information System and how to also access it through kiosks in government buildings and by phone, click on Landing a Legit Federal Job in the sidebar above.

Federal Job Scams
Page > 1 • 2