Passive Candidates – how to spot a genuine recruiter

As a passive candidate, you are not applying for roles directly, but you might be:

• Open to a better offer
• Curious about what is out there
• Willing to have a conversation if something feels right

This is how many strong career moves begin.

Why recruiters may contact you unexpectedly:

If you have ever:

• Uploaded your CV to a job board
• Applied for a role in the past
• Spoken to a recruiter before
• You have a Linkedin presence

Recruitment Agencies pay to access job board databases and search for candidates with specific skills, allowing them to reach out directly even if you have not applied. This is standard practice across the sector and and how many people move into a new role.

The opportunity and the challenge:

Being approached can be a positive thing:

• You hear about roles you would not have found yourself
• You are selected based on your experience
• You can explore options without actively searching

However, it also means you may be contacted by people you do not recognise and this is where it is important to be aware.  How can you spot a real opportunity amongst AI scammers sending convincing messages that look like genuine recruiters?

Here are some warning signs to keep in mind.

Warning signs of a scam

1. Urgency and pressure

• “You must respond today”
• “Limited slots available”

Scammers want quick decisions before you can think or check.

2. Requests for money or sensitive information

• Upfront fees
• Bank details early in the process
• Passport or ID before a conversation

A real recruiter will never ask for payment from a job seeker.

3. Poor or inconsistent communication

• Emails from free accounts
• Spelling or grammar issues
• Details that do not match the company website

4. Unverifiable profiles

• No LinkedIn presence
• Recently created profiles with little activity
• No company footprint online

5. Jobs that sound unrealistic

• High salaries with vague responsibilities
• Remote roles with minimal requirements
• Offers made without an interview

How to check if a recruiter is genuine

Take a few simple steps:

• Search the recruiter on LinkedIn
• Check the company website and team page
• Call the company directly using the published number
• Look at the email domain carefully
• Ask for a proper introduction call

What ARV Solutions does to build trust

We know trust is everything, especially with passive candidates.  Here’s what we do to help you feel confident:

• • All our consultants have active LinkedIn profiles – linked to ARV Solutions
  • Willing to discuss the role over the phone (not just via email and messaging)
  • We will NEVER send your CV without a telephone conversation and your agreement
  • We will always share details of the company we are recruiting for
  • We will offer Teams call and often first stage video interview
  • We communicate using company email addresses (no gmail or hotmail)
  • We never ask for money or unnecessary personal data
  • We are transparent about roles and clients
  • All jobs can be found on our website

You should feel informed and not rushed

If in doubt, pause and verify.

You do not need to avoid recruiter outreach but approach it with confidence and common sense.

Don’t forget – if you are not open to new roles – it’s a really good idea to remove your CV from any job boards and asked to be removed from recruiter databases.  If you are on Linkedin, you may want to consider researching your core sector and connecting with agencies with jobs relevant to your skills profile.

All our genuine, live roles can be found here.  You can apply direct or call the team to discuss in more detail.

Jobs listings from ARV Solutions | Offsite & MMC Recruitment