Skilled Job Seekers, Candidate Scout, Career Network Avoid these high-pressure job recruiters! Internet

Like many of you, I was recently laid off and have been applying to every job I see that looks like even a marginal fit. I want to stay in good standing with the unemployment folks while I need to collect benefits.

Excerpts from my job applications log:
Aug. 2 - Human Resources Assistant, employer unknown, $16.50 an hour, applied online through CandidateScout.com.
Aug. 4 - Human Resources Coordinator, employer unknown. $42,000 plus benefits. Applied online through CandidateScout.com.
Aug. 6 - HR Admin Asst position, $16 an hour, location unknown, through SkilledJobSeekers.com.
Aug. 6 - HR manager, $60,000+, Miami, through SkilledJobSeekers.com.

The red flag that made me check Ripoff Report was an email I received from Skilled Job Seekers today saying they had not received my application for the HR Assistant position, had been trying to reach me, and think I would be a very good fit. Just before the email hit, I had a phone call from "unknown."

The reason they might not have "received" that application is that I did not supply the references they asked for.

I'm including CandidateScout.com here because their emails, down to the job descriptions, pay and benefits, look almost exactly like those from Skilled Job Seekers. Probably another name for the same operation. However, I have not received any follow-ups from them.

About Career Network: I never applied for any of their jobs but received two phone calls from "Jessica from Career Network" (Washington, D.C. area code 202) asking me to call back for verification so the application I submitted "within the past 7 days" could receive further consideration. Both times she said "the employer may remain confidential for now."

I notice that Apple Staffing is listed here as a possible alias for Skilled Job Seekers. A couple of weeks ago I applied for one of their online opportunities -- office manager/HR -- but never heard from them again.

Now that I'm a little wiser, I would suggest job seekers look carefully at any emails they receive and ask themselves: "Does it look like this recruiter is actually looking for someone with my profile?" "Why is the company name/location of the job not mentioned?" For example, I'm not an HR professional, yet I've been wooed for 5 of these jobs. Although I have had HR responsibilities in the past, the main thrust of my career is editorial.

Good luck to everyone for finding a REAL job.

Suzanne
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
U.S.A.