One state attorney general is advising job-seekers and employers at all levels to be aware of unscrupulous employment agencies and similar scams.

Minnesota  recently filed a lawsuit against the Arthur Group, claiming it charged desperate job seekers hefty fees for landing interviews for lucrative jobs. But neither the interviews, nor the jobs,  ever materialized.

It turned out the majority of online jobs listed by the company had actually been filled, or may have never even existed.

The lawsuit claims clients were victimized by a bait-and-switch in which job seekers were promised access to well-paying jobs in a “hidden job market” in exchange for as much as $4,500 a month in fees.

The Arthur Group, which has since closed its doors,  also promised to improve client resumes and upgrade  interviewing skills.

Headhunter firms generally see their client pool increase in tough economic times as more people compete for fewer positions in the employment marketplace.

A rule of thumb when choosing a headhunter is:  The best headhunters don’t need a resume — they can handle a placement without one. They rely on an interview, on high-quality referrals and references, and on their judgment.