Job Search Scams are like a Rubik’s cube....

There are hundreds of possible combinations, and you waste a lot of time cycling through them all

So, I spend hours upon hours... upon hours searching job listing sites of all sorts. However, I'm not sure what is more frustrating? Spending hours of my days searching and applying to jobs and not receiving any responses or applying to jobs (or being contacted after the prospective employer saw my resume) to find out they are a scam?

I received an email from a guy that said he saw my resume (not sure what website considering I have SEVERAL accounts). The email looked legit but I googled the last part of his email (@acmecompany.com) anyways and found it to be an actual company. The attachment he provided said "Application for Incredible Talent Inc" (names of companies withheld) which raised a question in my mind. The email went on to read that they are a media company and because of this they need a profile shot (face picture) and a full body shot picture so they know "who they are talking to". Because I thought the difference in company names were fishy, I investigated... (start the stop watch!)

I looked again at the company website to find more information on "Acme Company" which is a rather large company. I found email addresses located on the site and they look similar to person that emailed me. While looking at their website they did not appear to be a "media company". I Googled "Incredible Talent Inc." and found absolutely nothing. So I found the phone number of the local office for Acme Company and gave them a ring.

Receptionist: "Thank you for calling Acme Company how may I direct your call"

Pink Moon: "Hi there. You might be able to help me actually. Is your company affiliated with Incredible Talent Inc. ?"

Receptionist: "No ma'am. We are an environmental company"

Pink Moon: "Oh I see. Do you know if a Mike Smith (real name withheld) is employed there? You see, I received an email from someone claiming to be from your company but the gentleman sent an application for Incredible Talent."

Receptionist: "We have a few thousand employees so I'm not sure"

Pink Moon: "Okay well then could you connect me with your Human Resource Department so I can alert them? Thank you"

Unfortunately I did not get through to their Human Resources department because of the time zone difference. But the frustration lies in the fact that I had spent 20 minutes just checking this guy out.

I am leery about a lot of responses I receive where the person uses poor punctuation and grammar i.e. "i saw u resume and wuld like to interview u for j.ob we have". Or where the employer is out of the country and I would have to manage mail from a post office box. But then there are those employment "opportunities" where they are just as much of a rip off or waste of time/money selling insurance or whatever. It is really hard to digest just how much time is wasted investigating job search responses when time is money... and I have neither right now. I pray that people use common sense and not fall for these bozos.

~Pink Moon~

Introduction

Hi there and welcome to my blog! I really should have started this ages ago however I didn't, and I'm here now. That is what matters.

I will apologize now for any grammatical or writing errors. I'm not a professional and do not claim to be one. You will certainly see errors but I try my best though. I hope I don't lose you in my writing as I tend to go off on tangents. Especially when there is so much to say to bring you up to the current day.

As my bio states, I am an American born married mom of 3 kids and have been unemployed since 2009. I did take a job for a short period since that time. However, it was far from a job. It was more along the lines of mind torture and I'm certain I need to seek professional help because of what I worked with. Everywhere I have worked I can come up with positives things to say.... except that one. I will be sharing that story a little later.

I am currently looking for a job that will pay the bills and help get me current... quickly... very quickly. My unemployment runs out at the end of January, both my cars will be up for repo shortly, and I have yet to pay December's rent. Need not to forget that Christmas is upon us and I have 3 kids. I'll be lucky to have electric Christmas Day. I do not go 'shopping' and spend frivolously or refuse to wear less than designer anything. I am 'middle class' (when we were making money). I would like to add that I have not filed for state's assistance this entire time. Some call me stupid, some call me too proud... I just call myself Pink Moon. Personally, there are too many abusing the system. I'm bound and determined to rise above all the ridiculousness that has happened and to stand tall and proud at the finish line. If I can do it with out being a burden to the taxpayers (myself included) there is no reason most of these other people can't do it. 

I will be touching on topics such as, workplace politics, commuting, unemployment, job searching, careers, general life events, and whatever else I decide to add. Your ideas are also welcome!

I hope this blog reaches out and helps someone, gives strength when strength is weary, give wisdom where wisdom is limited, inspire where inspiration is hazed, and teaches one to be thankful for what they have and not envy what they do not have. Or if anything brings a chuckle to someones day. I do not mean to offend and I can only speak from what I have gone through which is a lot.

I appreciate any and all of you that are/will be following my blog. I will update as often as possible whether it is weekly or daily. I also appreciate any followers that you bring on board!

~Pink Moon~