No BS Career Advice: January 18, 2025

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By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter

“We must accept limited disappointment but never lose infinite hope.”

~PhD. martin luther king

Monday is a holiday in the United States commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated. Pictured here is the crowd in Washington, D.C., when he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.

New enrollees in my coaching program are job search community increased. To my great relief, I listened to people’s requests and provided Products purchased separately Ideal for those who don’t want to pay recurring monthly fees for coaching and content. I don’t want to include a complete product list here; it would take up too much space.

I offer many free products on my homepage job search community. One of the paid services I offer on the site is resume reviews and LinkedIn profile reviews for $99. If you’re not getting the results you want, let me correct some of the problems you may be having.

How to Find Legitimate Corporate Recruiters on LinkedIn

By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter

Recruiters are often the gatekeepers to incredible opportunities. For college-educated professionals, LinkedIn is the primary hub for these connections. However, as the digital landscape evolves, so do the tactics scammers use to take advantage of eager job seekers. It’s more important than ever to distinguish between legitimate recruiters offering career-defining roles and bad actors seeking personal information or money.

Designed for the discerning LinkedIn user, this guide will provide 7-10 actionable strategies for vetting recruiters and ensuring your job search remains safe and productive.

1. Double-check their LinkedIn profile: Digital business card

A legitimate recruiter’s LinkedIn profile is their professional storefront. It should be well developed and reflect a consistent career path in recruitment or human resources.

Professional photos: A clear, professional headshot comes standard. Be wary of profiles with no photos, generic stock images, or images that are too casual.
Detailed experience: Look for a comprehensive employment history that clearly demonstrates their current role with a reputable company (staffing agency or in-house HR department). Unexplained employment gaps, vague job titles, or a short history of working for multiple unknown companies can all be red flags.
Connect and endorse: While not foolproof, legitimate recruiters will often have hundreds or even thousands of contacts, many of whom are other professionals in their field or industry. Look for endorsements and recommendations that reflect their recruiting expertise.
Activity: Do they share industry insights, comment on posts, or engage in meaningful discussions? Static configuration files with no recent activity may be suspicious.

2. Verify their company: due diligence is key

The company a recruiter claims to represent is the cornerstone of their legitimacy. Never take something at face value.

Official website: Find companies independently. Do you have a professional website? Does the recruiter’s name appear on the “Our Team” or “Contact Us” page (for smaller companies)?
Online status and comments: Check out news articles, press releases, and reviews on sites like Glassdoor or Google. For a so-called recruitment company, the complete lack of an online footprint is a major red flag. Be wary of new generic name companies.
Supporting information: Make sure the company name, logo, and contact details on your LinkedIn profile match the official company website. The difference is a red flag.

3. Check the job description: specificity vs. vagueness

Legitimate job postings are detailed and transparent. Scammers often use common language to cast their net.

Specific roles and responsibilities: A realistic job description will clearly outline the role’s responsibilities, required skills, qualifications and reporting structure.
Company and location: It should clearly state the hiring company (or company type if the recruiter is being cautious) and the work location (remote, hybrid, or in-office). Vague mentions like “a leading technology company” or “opportunities in your area” without further details are suspicious.
Realistic expectations: Be wary of positions that promise high pay with little experience, or that sound too good to be true.

4. Observe their communication style: professionalism is important

How a recruiter communicates can reveal their authenticity.

Professional language: Expect clear, grammatically correct, and professional communication. Misspellings, grammatical errors, and overly casual or urgent language may indicate a scam.
Personalization: While some initial outreach may be templated, subsequent messages should be personalized, referencing your profile and specific skills.
Pressure strategy: Legitimate recruiters know that the job search process takes time. Be wary of anyone who pressures you to make an immediate decision, sign documents without review, or provide sensitive information on the spot.

5. Never pay for work: the golden rule

This is perhaps the most critical red flag: Legitimate recruiters do not charge job seekers for their services. Their fees are paid by the recruitment firm.

No upfront fees: If a recruiter asks you for a fee for training, a background check, a resume review, or any other “service” to secure a job, it’s a scam.
“Resettlement fee”: This is a classic scam tactic. The real recruiter is compensated by the employer when you are successfully placed.

6. Protect your personal information: only share necessary information when necessary

Be extremely cautious about the personal information you share, especially early in the process.

Early days: Legitimate recruiters usually only want your resume and perhaps a brief summary of your initial experience.
Sensitive data: Do not share your bank account details, Social Security Number (SSN), credit card information, or date of birth with the recruiter until you have received a confirmed job offer and filled out formal onboarding documents directly with the hiring company.
Exception request: Be suspicious of requests for a photo of your identification or to install specific software on your computer.

7. Cross-reference information: double-check everything

If something doesn’t feel right, take a moment to cross-reference the information provided.

Google search: Search the recruiter’s name, company, and job title. Look for consistent information across multiple reputable sources.
LinkedIn search: Search LinkedIn for other employees at the company. Do they have similar profiles? Does the recruiter’s network match the company’s industry?
Independent contact: If you’re very skeptical, you can try to find the company’s general contact email or phone number (not provided by the recruiter) and ask the recruiter if it’s actually an employee.

8. Trust your gut: Gut is a powerful tool

Sometimes, the most reliable indicator is your own gut. If a recruiter’s offer sounds too good to be true, if their story changes, or if something simply doesn’t feel right, listen to that inner alarm. It’s always better to err on the side of caution.

By diligently applying these strategies, you can confidently navigate recruiters on LinkedIn and identify real opportunities while protecting your personal information and career aspirations. Your proactive approach will not only protect you, but also enhance your ability to connect with legitimate professionals who can truly advance your career.

Additionally, I’ve posted a lot of new content on the blog, including:

Struggling to relocate? Why can’t recruiters help?

A few points about interview objectives

If your job listing on LinkedIn doesn’t have EasyApply set up

Disengaged interviewer

Important lessons television teaches executive job seekers

24 hour rule

Is it safe to say that my work has been misrepresented?

No BS Career Advice: January 11, 2026

Don’t forget this part of Ikigai

Here’s how to get invited to join your company’s board of directors

Stop fooling yourself

What’s a good answer to “Why do you want this job?”

next level interview stories

A warning to information workers

Executive Playbook: C Suite Transition

Stupid career mistake: You’ll never make new friends

Don’t act desperate!

Employer Brand: Do you know why they are contacting you?

What employers are looking for when reading your resume

Tips to help prepare for consulting case interviews

Silent Language: Master Interview Body Language

5 Proven Tips to Enhance Your LinkedIn Profile

Employer Brand: Focus on Candidate Experience

Develop your LinkedIn mission statement

you are a brand

Stop kidding yourself: Artificial intelligence is about to replace your white-collar job

Three principles to apply when considering a career change

Build your referral community

Job Search Lessons from Justin Trudeau #shorts

Reinvent your career: expert advice for a successful transition

you just lack experience

Executive Job Search Gold Mine

Schedule a free discovery call with me: www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule Discuss my guidance for you during your job search and beyond.

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#BeGreat

Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC

People hire me around the world to provide no-nonsense job coaching, career coaching, and career advice because I make your job search and success in your new job easier | I help you find your next job when others can’t