In April I saw an ad in the local newspaper for Philips-Carlyle International, now named Carlyle & Associates, and I faxed my resume in. What caught my attention was their hook lineTIRED OF JOB HUNTING? I was interested in their services in order to find a more satisfactory and fulfilling position. A few days later, one of their "Career Counselors" phoned me and said he would like to talk to me about becoming one of their clients.
During this initial meeting, the counselor made it clear that (paraphrasing), C&A accepted LESS THAN 40% of the people who interviewed as potential clients.
THEIR BIG SELL POINTS:
1. The majority of JOBS (63% - 74%) were not published according to C&A... Data was supported by two studies; US Government, and Harvard University. The studies were proudly featured on C&As website. C&A used their vast networking contacts to match me with these unpublished openings and get me in front of the key decision makers.
2. Help me evaluate and analyze my skill sets and personality traits to identify the most appropriate career area.
3. Help me market myself through multiple communication modes.
4. Provide access to all C&A resources during my job search.
5. Give me access to a computer database with job openings not advertised in normal sources.
6. Maintain my status as a client for 5 years following my employment at a job of my choice.
7. Provide access to opportunities and companies not advertised through the internet or local publications.
8. Ensure specialized one-on-one service because of a limited clientele base.
9. Exploit their team of counselors network of business and industry contacts.
10."Bypass the normal HR process and get their clients in front of the decision makers.
11. A commitment that clients would not be competing for the same jobs.
12. Placement within the job of our choice usually within 3 to 6 months.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:
I paid several THOUSAND dollars and I discovered that I ended up surfing FREE websites like Monster.com, and the local newspaper site for job openings. I sent in my resume, arranged the interviews not with some "outside of HR" contact, but the very person listed in the ad. I participated in a day long seminar on career marketing and also videotaped a practice interview.
I received huge bulk emails, sent to all the clients, with dozens of pages long, with a mish-mash of job opportunities... From the internet & local ads. Not exactly the personalized service I paid for.
WHAT I REALLY GOT:
An average resume and cover letter format. "Advice Interviews" which are me cold calling companies for an appointment to allow them to tell me about their company & industry. They also got to review my resume & I gave them a home-made business card. These companies did not have openings.
MY ADVICE TO YOU?
Do it yourself. Go to the web an search on "resume writing." You can pay anywhere from $100-$250. Try your local community college. They offer resume writing classes. Tuition at the local CC is usually under $50/credit hour. The resume class will probably be a half day long. They also offer career development seminars of usually a day. Sign up on an internet site which will automatically email FOR FREE with postings that match your specific key words like, accounting; nursing; sales etc.
Talk to your family & friends. Let them know what you are looking for.
Truthfully, I am EXTREMELY embarrassed at my gullibility. I have a college degree and I have been working in my profession for 14 years... And I fell hook, line and sinker for the sales pitch of their services
Keep your money. It will be better spent in other ways.
Theresa
Omaha, Nebraska
U.S.A.
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