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Opened .docx file with Apple pages for an apparent job screening. Danger?

I've been applying for work on many different jobs sites and I received a screening request from what seemed to be a legit company, King's Dream Consulting. The guy's email was @kingsdreamconsultingcareers.com, which I'm learning could be a red flag. But the site seems to be a red flag too after trying to reach them with their phone number.


Anyhow, I opened a docx file with Apple Pages, copied the text to a new doc and filled out the answers, which contained no vital info, and sent back as a PDF file.


All these things are so clear afterwards but I'm wondering what I need to do to protect myself further or if I dodged a bullet this time. I understand there probably won't be a clear answer but I'm just hoping there is some knowledge about it.


My system (Sequoia 15.0.1) and Apple Pages (14.2) are up to date. I'm so tired of daring to hope after the desert that is actual job responses and then any hope is dashed by scammers.


Any insights are appreciated.


Thank you!

Mac Studio, macOS 15.0

Posted on Oct 22, 2024 11:29 AM

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Posted on Oct 24, 2024 7:29 AM

If you double-clicked on that Word document and got a System warning of any kind or an installer wanting your admin password, then Cancel that dialog and delete the Word document. It might have been an installer masquerading as a Word document. If you canceled and deleted the document, you have nothing to worry about.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 24, 2024 7:29 AM in response to ChrisFarleyAngry

If you double-clicked on that Word document and got a System warning of any kind or an installer wanting your admin password, then Cancel that dialog and delete the Word document. It might have been an installer masquerading as a Word document. If you canceled and deleted the document, you have nothing to worry about.

Oct 22, 2024 1:05 PM in response to ChrisFarleyAngry

Opening a Word .docx file from an unknown site in Pages is no guarantee that a) the original formatting of the Word document in Word, will be preserved in Pages; or b) Pages does not support Word form fields; and c) any vermin in that Word document, even if you double-clicked it to open in Pages cannot get installed into the operating system as it is on a read-only, code-signed System volume.


Something you should know about consulting sites like this is that they are résumé collectors for potential future bids that they may or may not win, and your PDF will likely collect dust on their site. The phone number should have been a red flag not to send them anything.


Your best bet is to provide an electronic and printed version of your résumé to someone you know well in your industry who can hand-carry it to a hiring decision-maker. Harder than it sounds as most people don't won't to risk their careers on this activity. It also avoids the omnipresent application tracking software on recruiting/corporate websites that reject 94% of all submissions and the human resource staff that usually have no clue what they are reading in the remaining 6%. They are looking for keywords that match the job offer and not even the best match for the job. This frustrates the living daylights out of the managers who want more from an applicant than what HR provides them. But… corporate hiring policies have shifted away from hiring managers to HR protocols that control this process.

Opened .docx file with Apple pages for an apparent job screening. Danger?

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