Is TimesJobs a Reliable Job Portal or a Scam?

Recently, there have been numerous reports and warnings about an issue that has shaken the Indian job market - the alleged fraudulent activities of the popular job portal, TimesJobs. This article delves into the reality of the claims, providing a closer look at the operating method and offering insights into whether the portal is genuinely a scam.

TimesJobs: A Gateway to Opportunities or a Gateway to Scammers?

The credibility of TimesJobs has been called into question by numerous users and job seekers, making it one of the most discussed topics in the job market. The concern primarily stems from repeated calls from individuals claiming to be recruiters from reputed recruitment firms. In reality, these calls are often attempts to trick job seekers into paying a registration fee or other fraudulent charges.

The Modus Operandi of the Scam

The process begins with a well-spoken lady who contacts the job seeker through a call.

Step 1: Initial Call

Modus Operandi starts:
"Hi, this is X calling you. We received your details from a recruitment site. Are you interested in a job opportunity?"

User's Response:
"Yes, I am looking for a job at the moment."

Scamster's Response:
"Great! I see that you work in XYZ company. Why are you looking for a change?"

Step 2: Crafting the Story

The caller's next moves include asking for the current salary and the expected CTC. At this stage, the caller insists on discussing the job profile and confirms that the user's profile has been shortlisted by multiple companies.

Step 3: Enticing with Palliatives

The scammer offers a well-crafted website to further entice the job seeker. The website looks legit and includes impressive details about the company's reputation and services. The lady explains, 'You will definitely get a good offer.' The user's concerns about the legitimacy of the company are dismissed with a strong insistence that the company is reputable and well-known.

Step 4: The Registration Demands

The most critical step in the scam involves the registration fees. The caller informs the job seeker, 'Since your profile is already shortlisted, you need to register with our website and pay a one-time registration fee of Rs 5500.' The caller justifies this fee by claiming it's an exclusive HR network service that arranges meetings with top companies. The scammer threatens to not forward the job opportunity unless the job seeker agrees to register.

Step 5: The Refusal and the Outcome

The user, skeptical of the offer, refuses to pay the registration fee. The scammer becomes aggressive, stating it's a small fee in comparison to the CTC offered by the company. When confronted with the reality that no reputable recruiter would ask for such a fee, the scammer ends the call abruptly.

Conclusion and User Experience

After experiencing countless such scams, many users have opted to hibernate their profiles on TimesJobs. One user reported, 'Probably one of the worst job portals ever.' Numerous job seekers have shared similar stories, indicating that this scam is not isolated but widespread.

Why TimesJobs?

It's essential to note that while the allegations against TimesJobs are indeed troubling, the platform has a vast user base and claims to offer millions of job listings. As with any platform, there are legitimate and fraudulent users. Job seekers are advised to be cautious with any unsolicited calls or websites offering job prospects that come with unexpected costs.

What Next?

For the concerned users and job seekers, it's crucial to report such incidents to the relevant authorities. Additionally, creating awareness about such scams can help other users stay vigilant and avoid falling into similar traps.

Key Takeaways:
1. Be wary of unsolicited calls claiming to be recruiters from reputable firms. 2. Question any request for upfront fees, especially when job listings are promising high returns. 3. Report such incidents to the website administrators or the relevant authorities.