Unemployed and Desparate?

Then you're currently in a state of mind that makes you easy prey for scam artists. There are many places you can turn to for help landing a job, but you need to take steps to make sure you are using a resource you can trust.

• Public Employment Service (Job Service): This is a federally-funded, state-operated program with 1,700 offices across the country. It provides free assistance, and also operates America's Job Bank which lists thousands of job opportunities. For more information, visit www.jobbankinfo.org.
• Temporary (Temp) Services: These agencies place people looking for temporary employment and their services are usually free of charge. Temporary positions can sometimes evolve into permanent positions and give job hunters an opportunity to bring in some money while the employment search continues.
• Employment Agencies: In some cases, people looking for jobs must pay a fee to employment agencies, which search for employees to fill permanent or part-time positions.
• Executive or Career Counseling Services: These agencies help job hunters evaluate their career path and provide guidance on resume writing, interview coaching and presentation; they generally charge for their services and do not always guarantee job placement.

1. Carefully review any contracts for counseling or placement services, even if that means taking the contract home and having a trusted friend or relative review the documents. Get all verbal promises in writing.
2. Job seekers should be wary of paying upfront fees to a placement agency, and be extremely cautious when giving out credit card or bank account information, especially online.