Job or Scam? Flip a Coin!

The internet.

One of the most incredible tools ever made, it has allowed individuals like myself to share ideas, connect, and make each other laugh across continents. More importantly, though, it has made my life easier, like helping me get my degree. Without the internet, I don’t see how I would have had the time to finish my degree in four years.  My books and research materials were readily available through the internet as well. Juggling a full-time job while being a full-time student is hard enough, but I was able to attend classes online and on my own time. 

Don’t fear, don’t trust

Keeping in mind how easily accessible the internet can be is what keeps me suspicious. I also do not trust the infamous algorithm to deliver trustworthy information. Not because I think everyone is outright lying on purpose, but because facts can be misinterpreted before being shared. This can continue until the truth is nowhere to be seen. Director Werner Herzog commented on this during his latest appearance on the podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, that aired September 28th, 2025. He equated navigating the internet as a prehistoric man navigating their world by being suspicious of certain types of mushrooms and berries that could be poisonous. His point was we should not fear or hate the internet, but we shouldn’t take it at face value either. I am the prehistoric man who should be wary about what is on the internet.

I recently found myself communicating with a scammer through LinkedIn. Over a year out from graduation, I have yet to find a role that’ll allow me to officially end my time in the fitness industry. Being a trainer was always just a means to make money while I was in school. I’m a textbook example of an introvert, and being social all day can be draining. Plus, the people I have to be social with are the opposite of who I am politically, which adds another layer of exhaustion to the job. 

Now that I have my English degree, the goal is to get a job in publishing or marketing while I continue to write poetry and work on my book. With countless applications sent since completing my education, it’s easy to lose track of them. I couldn’t tell you which companies I applied to last week, let alone six months ago. One day, I received an email about scheduling an interview. Being wary of potential job scams, I looked through my application history and found the company. Excited, I responded with my general availability.

Red flags

The next day, I checked my email to find the supposed hiring manager replied at 6:17 a.m. telling me they were available now for the interview. That was the first red flag. I politely reminded them that I work during the hours of about 6 a.m. through 2 p.m. and have availability in the afternoons. That same evening, they responded saying to message them on Teams any time I could, and that the “text-based chat interview” would be conducted. That was the second red flag. A text-based interview sounded like absolute hogwash and would be a good way for someone to conceal their identity.

I combed the company’s website, which I admit I should have done first, and didn’t find the position posted. I then searched for the company on Instagram to see if they had posted on their social media account. What I found unfortunately did not surprise me. They had posted a notice saying to be aware of a job scam pretending to be them. They listed the email they would use to contact applicants, as well as the scammer’s fake email. The email I received was a cleverly crafted scam email address. The difference would go unnoticed by anyone at a first glance. I sent one last message because I couldn’t help myself: “Dayum. You almost got me. Caught you $cammin’.” They never replied.

Don’t succumb to poison

If I had let career desperation override my suspicion, I could have easily fallen deeper into the scam. I’m positive the next step would have been asking for money or personal information somehow, which never happens in an interview process. But people do fall victim to such scams. It is important to treat everything on the internet as false until proven otherwise. The algorithm is not your friend. Treat the next nugget of information you receive as a berry you cannot identify. Rub it on your skin, if there is no reaction, put it to your lips. If there are still no symptoms, chew and spit. Next, take a small bite. Only after this should you consume it.

I didn’t follow my own advice and became complacent. If I had looked a little deeper into the situation in the first place, I wouldn’t have gone as far as I did into the scam. Looking for a job has been taxing. Applications take time and I have become fed up with it. When this “opportunity” presented itself my initial thought was relief. Not only am I desperate for a job but also some interview practice. When I discovered I was speaking to a scammer I felt like an idiot.

This wasn’t the first time I have been targeted by a potential scam through LinkedIn, but it was by far the most convincing. Moving forward, I will have to treat every rare job opportunity as a scam. Being a detective is an unfortunate reality when it comes to the job market these days. I’ve become much pickier when it comes to where I apply. By that I mean I’m only applying to places I would actually want to work, and not just to get out of personal training. With fewer applications sent into the abyss, keeping track of them will be easier making the scammer’s job harder. Although I hope to find another scam one day – messing with them is good fun.