The Job Seeker's Checklist: Researching Employers Before You Apply

Due Diligence Can Save You From Employment Fraud

In today's digital age, creating a convincing fake company website takes scammers mere hours. That's why researching potential employers has become a critical skill for every job seeker, especially those new to the UK job market.

Why Employer Research Matters

Job scams are increasingly sophisticated. Fraudsters post vacancies on legitimate job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, create professional-looking websites, and even conduct fake interview processes. The goal? To extract money, personal information, or both from unsuspecting candidates.

Your Essential Employer Verification Checklist

Before submitting any application, complete these steps:

Check Companies House: Every legitimate UK company is registered here. Verify the company name, incorporation date, and registered address. If you can't find it, don't apply.

Review Employee Feedback: Visit Glassdoor and Indeed to read reviews from current and former employees. Look for patterns in feedback—both positive and negative.

Verify Contact Details: The email domain in the job posting should match the company website. A recruiter using Gmail or Hotmail is a red flag.

Research on LinkedIn: Find current employees and the hiring manager. Do their profiles look authentic? Do they have a reasonable work history?

Cross-Reference Job Postings: Check if the vacancy appears on the company's official careers page, not just third-party job boards.

What About Recruitment Agencies?

Legitimate recruiters never charge job seekers fees. They're paid by employers, not candidates. If someone claiming to be a recruiter asks for payment—whether for registration, CV formatting, or interview preparation—it's a scam.

When contacted by recruiters on LinkedIn, ask how they found you, request proof of previous successful placements, and verify their agency's legitimacy.

Stay Safe During Your Job Search

Vigilance protects you from financial loss and identity theft. Take the time to research every opportunity thoroughly, trust your instincts, and remember: genuine employers want to assess your skills, not your wallet.

Discover more red flags and protection strategies in our detailed guide on staying safe from job scams.