The Federal Government has identified seven common mistakes that could cost Nigerians opportunities to secure public service jobs, urging applicants to follow official recruitment procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.

The advice was contained in a public awareness post published by the Federal Character Commission on its website on Tuesday.

According to the commission, many applicants unknowingly reduce their chances of success by ignoring recruitment guidelines, submitting inaccurate information or relying on unofficial sources for vacancy announcements.

The FCC listed the seven mistakes as:

Applying through unverified sources

Paying someone to secure a government job

Ignoring application requirements

Missing application deadlines

Providing incorrect information

Failing to prepare beyond the application stage

Assuming every advertised opportunity is genuine

The commission warned applicants against relying on unofficial websites, social media posts and forwarded messages, noting that fraudsters often create fake recruitment portals and advertisements to deceive job seekers.

It advised Nigerians to verify recruitment information through recognised government platforms before submitting applications or personal information.

The FCC also cautioned applicants against paying individuals who claim they can influence government recruitment processes.

“Applicants should be cautious of anyone requesting payment or claiming they can guarantee employment, and they are encouraged to report suspicious recruitment activities through appropriate channels,” the commission said.

The agency stressed that while concerns about unfair recruitment practices should be taken seriously, recruitment into federal institutions follows official procedures and anyone collecting money or manipulating the process is acting outside the law.

It explained that applicants should carefully study eligibility requirements, including educational qualifications, age limits, professional certifications, work experience and required documents before submitting applications.

The commission also advised candidates not to wait until the closing days of recruitment exercises before applying, warning that delays could lead to incomplete submissions or missed deadlines.

On accuracy, the FCC said applicants should thoroughly review their personal details, qualifications and contact information before completing their applications, noting that errors could affect verification and eligibility.

It further urged candidates to prepare for aptitude tests, interviews and other assessments after submitting applications, rather than assuming the recruitment process ends with the application.

The commission reiterated that not every vacancy advertised online is legitimate, advising applicants to avoid opportunities that promise guaranteed employment, demand payment before applications are processed or create unnecessary urgency.

Clarifying its role, the FCC said it does not recruit workers into ministries, departments or agencies.

Instead, it said recruitment is conducted by the relevant institutions, while the commission’s responsibility is to promote fairness and compliance with the Federal Character Principle as provided under Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The commission noted that it operates a recruitment platform on its website where verified vacancies from federal institutions can be published, allowing applicants to access authentic information before proceeding to the recruiting institution’s official application channel.

It urged Nigerians to verify recruitment sources, read application requirements carefully, avoid anyone demanding payment, submit accurate information and apply only through official channels to improve their chances of securing legitimate government employment. (The PUNCH, excluding headline)

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