Looking for your next role can feel exciting – and sometimes overwhelming. LinkedIn is here to help you find opportunities with confidence and keep your job search safe every step of the way.
We continuously work to protect our members by removing fake accounts and fraudulent job postings, offering verification tools, and more. This guide provides best practices on how to search for jobs safely and stay alert for suspicious activity.
How to use verifications in your job search
When you see a verification badge, it means LinkedIn or a trusted partner has confirmed certain details. This helps you feel confident about who you connect with and the opportunities you explore.
Look for these indicators that help build trust:
- Profile Verification Badge: The member has verified their identity or workplace on LinkedIn by fulfilling certain identity requirements.
- Company Page Verification Badge: LinkedIn has verified details about the company through trusted verification methods.
- Job Post Verification Badge: Information about the company or the job poster is verified through LinkedIn or our trusted third-party partners.
When you see a verification badge (pictured below), you can feel more confident about who you connect and interact with.
How to evaluate recruiters and job opportunities
When evaluating a recruiter’s profile, look for:
- A professional profile photo (not stock imagery)
- A verification badge
- Detailed work history
- A link to their Company Page with active employees
- An email address with their company domain (e.g. @company.com), not a generic email address (e.g. @hotmail.com)
- Conversations that stay on LinkedIn (avoid pressure to move off-platform immediately)
- Respect for your timeline and privacy
To validate job postings, look for:
- A verification badge on the job post or the company page. Learn more
- Activity, updates, and multiple employees on the company’s LinkedIn page
- Cross-checking the role on the company’s official career page
- Trusted job application methods (LinkedIn jobs or company’s official career page)
- Indicators of legitimacy, such as (Learn more):
- Promoted by hirer - The employer paid to promote the job, signaling priority
- Actively Reviewing Applicants - The company is responsive and reviewing candidates
- Hiring Responsive Insights - Shows how quickly a company responds to questions and job applications
- No third-party links in messages or emails
What’s safe to share (and what’s not)
You should expect to share some basic information early in the job application process. Information that is safe to share early in the process:
- Resume / CV
- LinkedIn profile link
- General location (city, state)
- Salary expectations
- Interview availability
Never share before receiving a legitimate job offer:
- Social Security Number or National ID
- Bank account or credit card information
- Passport or driver’s license copies
- Any form of payment
Warning signs to watch for
Be cautious if you notice:
- Requests for payment (background checks, training, resume services or equipment)
- Checks sent for deposit followed by refund requests. These checks will bounce, leaving you responsible for large amounts of money
- Early requests for sensitive information like your social security number (SSN), banking details, ID pictures, or before formal hiring
- Password requests. You should never share passwords.
- Too-good-to-be-true offers. Exceptionally high salaries for minimal experience, immediate job offers without interviews, or guaranteed positions
- Pressure to move communications off-platform immediately (e.g. Whatsapp/Telegram/external forms)
- Vague or poorly written postings
- Quick hiring processes (most legitimate processes take 2-6 weeks)
- Links or emails that don’t match the company’s official domain
How to report suspicious jobs, recruiters or companies:
If you notice suspicious activity, stop communicating with the member and do not share additional information, personal or financial. Submit a report to help protect the Linkedin community.
Once you’ve submitted the report, consider blocking the member. Our team reviews every report carefully.
Learn more