The internet is an excellent resource for people to connect with other users worldwide. While many think of social media platforms and other sites as an excellent way to keep in touch with friends and family, others use the World Wide Web to network and conduct business.

Bringing your scouting online helps widen the horizon of your potential employee pool. The internet is an effective tool for finding new workers, however, it does come with some risks.

Exploring more about potential red flags and following some tips helps employers avoid scams and find the reliable workers they need.

Common Scams Employers Should Look Out For

There are several different suspicious things employers must learn to identify. Some of the more common scams include:

Phishing

Phishing scams are easy to fall for when you must exchange sensitive information. Never hand out more than you have to and be sure to be conservative with who receives passwords or security clearances, especially online.

Phishing Screenshot

Website Hostage If you hire someone to do something that requires handing over log-in information for websites or social media pages, be careful. Some scammers hold accounts or platforms hostage for ransom.

Pay Advances

Paying some money upfront before the completion of a project is normal, however, think twice before handing over loads of money. It’s customary to do half upfront and half after. However, when you work with large sums of money, consider coming up with more secure arrangements, so you don’t lose a lot if a deal falls through.

An online employee can theoretically just ghost you after receiving money. When using services like Upwork that keep money in escrow, you may just have a third-party hold the money until the completion of a project.

False Advertisement

Remember, even if these new employees don’t outright scam you, they can be detrimental to your business. Unreliable workers may cost more damage than they are worth or significantly slow down production.

Sometimes, people advertise themselves as having skills they simply don’t. Imagine if you hire a web developer to create a website only for them to have no idea how computers work. It’s also not uncommon for writers to advertise themselves as native speakers, only to have poor writing skills.

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It’s not that these people have malicious intentions, but many are desperate for money or underestimate their skills or timeline. Rethink sketchy portfolios or ridiculously low rates.

Can You Find Reliable Workers Online?

Thanks to the web, you can find reliable workers anywhere in the world. But for every quality candidate, there can be a scammer waiting to strike.

Why do employers bother taking this risk to engage with people in their online scouting instead of only hiring in person? Well, there are many advantages to this approach that many employers find the potential for encountering these scammers worth it.

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Going online opens the doors for many new employees that could fit your open position. You no longer need to limit your search to word of mouth. With the internet, you reach people across the globe–something very important for those looking to feel niche positions that may require a unique subset of skills you don’t often see in applicants.

If you are willing to keep the work itself remote, it’s also a great way to recruit short-term employees or freelancers who are happy to join your team for a bit without the pressure to relocate. To find these employees, you just need to know how to sift through potential candidates and pick the ones that you can trust.

Where to Find Reliable Workers Online

Finding reliable workers is easier than you think. There are tons of sites that cater to business professionals to create networking opportunities for people.

upwork

The safest places to find workers online are on platforms designed to help connect employers with employees. Popular sites include:

These specialized platforms are not the only resource for online job sources. Some employers (and workers) have a lot of luck using less conventional websites, like Craigslist or Reddit. While these are often riskier than places meant solely for jobs, learning more about potential red flags and popular scams helps you stay safe.

Tips for Finding Reliable Workers:

Although there is no foolproof way to find the perfect worker and avoid scams, there is some advice worth considering. Following these tips is the best way to make the most out of your online employee search.

Read Reviews

On accounts like Upwork or Fiverr, be sure to check out reviews from other “clients” before hiring someone.

Related: These 3 Tools Will Help You Spot Fake Amazon Reviews

Create Contracts

Write out formal contracts to make deals more official and legally binding in the event of a dispute.

Conduct an Interview

Application processes should still take place. Conducting interviews requiring video or audio input help you make sure someone is who they say they are in a hiring process.

Request a Portfolio

Asking for example work is the standard in many industries. Most professionals have some collection of work to demonstrate their alleged skills.

Perform a Trial

Before getting involved with a huge project, have a small, trial project to test out the relationship and interactions between you and a potential future employee. Free work is not always enticing, especially among more experienced workers, so consider trying out small projects to mitigate any big losses.

Pay Fair Wages

Remember that you get what you pay for. Even if you hire people online using methods that don’t force you to adhere to minimum wage requirements (like outsourcing to other countries), consider that you can’t expect expert-level work for meager payment.

People willing to adhere to these ridiculously low invoices don’t exactly have a reputation for high quality (or need to spread themselves too thin between other jobs).

Should I Trust Potential Employees Online

Many employers find that the internet is an amazing tool that reinvents the search for reliable workers. Learning more about the resources available and how to safely navigate them gives you your best shot at making the most of these online services.

Be sure to keep an eye out for red flags and look for employees with great reviews and a good reputation on trusted platforms. Employment websites are the ideal resource for vetting potential candidates and making sure your employees meet your expectations.