I thought a recruiter had found me the perfect job — then he asked me to pay. These are the warning signs I missed.

Alyshia Hull. Alyshia Hull Alyshia Hull was approached by a recruiter with a job opportunity that seemed like a good fit for her. After sending her résumé, she was told she would need to pay for a résumé service before she could progress. She realized the offer was a scam. Other indicators could be asking for overly personal information. I've spent six years writing about the workplace, and though this job market has been unexpectedly difficult, I thought I had learned its ins and outs. I've seen readers go through this, and as a freelancer open to a full-time position, I've experienced it, too. Apply online, post on LinkedIn, get contacted by a recruiter, interview, take a test, interview again— and then get ghosted . Repeat. When hope began to feel scarce earlier this year, I woke up to an email from a "recruiter."