Job Search

• Handshake SCC's online job platform
• CollegeGrad.com
• Glassdoor.com  Lots of good information from employees about companies
• Idealist.org
• Indeed.org
• Internships.com
• LinkedIn.com  It is critical to have a LinkedIn profile.
• LiveCareer.com
• USAJobs.com The official job site of the U.S. federal government.
• ZipRecruiter
• LearningExpress Hub

• Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County
• MetroStLouisJobs.com  Includes job openings, search tips and useful facts about the St. Louis market.

• Human Rights Campaign Tools for equality and inclusion for the LGBTQ community and allies.
• Starkloff Disability Institute Free resources for college students and graduates to develop professional skills.
• Student Veterans of America job board
• The Crown Act Creating an Open and Respectful World for Natural Hair

The job opportunities listed by SCC are for information only. St. Charles Community College does not evaluate employment or internship sites for ADA, safety, or other compliance criteria, and we are not responsible for the practices and policies at these sites. SCC is not responsible for the actions of individuals applying for or subsequently employed at these sites.

The college reserves the right to determine which jobs are posted.

There are some “red flags” students should be aware of to avoid fraudulent employers when using online job and internship sites.

Requests for financial/personal information are red flags.

Here are some examples:

• The representative asks you to use your personal email account not your SCC (.edu) account.
• The representative asks you to provide your credit card or bank account numbers or other personal financial documentation. Do NOT give out any financial information at any point during your job-search and hiring process.
• The representative asks you to provide your social security number and driver's license information in the initial application. Personal information should never be asked for during the initial application process.
• The representative tells you that the organization does not have an office set up in your area and will need you to help get the office up and running. This scam often includes a request for your banking information, supposedly to help the employer make transactions.
• The position requires an initial investment, such as a payment by wire service or courier.
• You are offered a large payment or reward in exchange for allowing the use of your bank account, often for depositing checks or transferring money.
• You receive an unexpectedly large check to deposit into your bank account.

Remember: Never process ANY financial transactions.

 For example, some organizations offer opportunities to “make quick money.” They will offer a “one-day only special.” Their intent is to defraud you by sending or wiring money to your bank account. They will ask you to cash the check or send the monies to other accounts. Once your bank or financial institution processes the scammer's check or financial request, you may be informed the monies are invalid or “not real.” In the meantime, you are held responsible for the funds the bank has sent at your direction to other accounts.

An unusual salary is a red flag. Some typical examples include:

• The position indicates a "first-year compensation" that is in high excess to the average compensation for that position type.
• The salary range listed is very wide, e.g., "employees can earn from $40K - $80K the first year."
• The salary is listed as weekly, e.g., “$500/week.” In the U.S., it is rare to see salaries listed as weekly.
• The position initially appears as a traditional job. Upon further research, it sounds more like an independent contractor opportunity.

Websites and emails can signal a problem. For example:

• The posting appears to be from a reputable, familiar organization—often a Fortune 500—yet, the email handle in the contact's email address does not match the domain used by representatives of the organization. Validating that the email is legitimate is typically easy to do by visiting the organization's website. Another way to validate this is to check the open positions on the organization's careers/jobs webpage.
• The contact email address contains the domain @live.com or an @ that is not affiliated with the organization. Examples: @gmail, @yahoo, @hotmail. If this is the case, then verify that the email address matches what is found on the organization's website.
• You receive unsolicited email that is not specifically directed to you. Spammers/scammers can obtain student emails fairly easily. If the unsolicited email references a referral from the Career Center, contact the Career Center to verify the employer.
• You are directed to a very basic website. Does the organization's website have an index that tells you what the site is about, or does it contain information only about the job in which you are interested? Scammers often create basic webpages that seem legitimate at first glance.

Other red flags include:

• The employer is hard to find. Scammers will try to keep themselves well hidden. Watch for anonymity. If it is difficult to find an address, actual contact, organization name, or similar information, this is cause to proceed with caution.
• The employer contacts you by phone, but there is no way to call the representative back, i.e., the number is not available.
• The employer responds to you immediately after you submit your resume. Typically, resumes sent to an employer are reviewed by multiple individuals or not viewed until the posting has closed. Note: This does not include an auto-response you may receive from the employer once you have sent your resume.
• The interview is conducted online or over the phone, and an offer is given almost immediately.
• The posting includes many spelling and grammatical errors.
• The posting neglects to mention the responsibilities of the job. Instead, the description focuses on the amount of money to be made.
• When you Google the organization name, and the results include spam reports about the organization. Another source for scam reports is www.ripoffreport.com.

Do an internet search for the employer's phone number, fax number, and/or email address. If it does not appear connected to an actual business organization, this is a red flag. You can use the Better Business Bureau, Hoovers, and Anywho to verify organizations.

You can also use social media to research each employer on Facebook, X, Snapchat, and LinkedIn. Research the organization on websites such as Glassdoor.com for feedback and complaints.

Bottom line: If you have any questions or suspicions, contact the Career Center or campus police before pursuing any opportunity. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

From National Association of Colleges and Employers website, naceweb.org