In today’s competitive job market, students are increasingly encountering fraudulent job postings and onboarding scams. To address this growing concern, Governors State University recently hosted a workshop titled “No Scams, Just Success: Your Guide to Navigating Legitimate Jobs and Onboarding” on March 3 in a virtual session. The session focused on helping students identify red flags, protect personal information and confidently navigate the hiring process.
The workshop was led by staff from Career and Professional Development. Following the workshop, James Bowlds, a program/student advisor in Career Services, shared insights on the growing risks of job-related scams and the importance of student awareness.
“Scammers are becoming more sophisticated,” Bowlds said. “Students must take time to verify company information and never rush through paperwork or onboarding steps.”
One of the key topics discussed during the workshop was the legitimate onboarding process. Students learned that onboarding is the formal process of becoming an employee and typically involves completing official documents such as the I-9 and W-4 forms, participating in job-specific training and setting up access to company systems and email accounts. Bowlds emphasized that legitimate employers use secure systems to collect sensitive information and generally do not request personal details through unsecured messaging platforms.
The session also highlighted common warning signs found in fraudulent job offers and onboarding paperwork. Students were encouraged to review documents carefully and watch for inconsistencies between interview discussions and written contracts. Other warning signs include requests for upfront payments for training or background checks, poorly formatted or unprofessional documents and pressure to sign paperwork quickly without adequate time for review.
“These are major red flags,” Bowlds said. “No legitimate employer should ask you to pay to get hired.”
In addition to identifying scams, the workshop provided practical safety strategies students can use during their job search. Students were encouraged to independently verify company websites, addresses and phone numbers, as well as review the organization’s online presence through platforms such as LinkedIn. Bowlds also advised students to be cautious when a company attempts to conduct the entire hiring or onboarding process remotely without any form of video verification. When something appears suspicious, students should trust their instincts and seek advice from trusted university resources.
Participants were also directed to reliable organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau, which provide resources for reporting fraud and learning more about scam prevention.
With job scams continuing to increase nationwide, workshops like this aim to equip Governors State University students with the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue opportunities safely. By understanding how legitimate hiring and onboarding processes work and recognizing warning signs early, students can focus on building their careers without falling victim to fraud.