Like so many victims of this company, I too went to them when we were transferred to San Diego, Ca. Their ad read like a Who's Who, "To call the most trusted name in Job Hunting" $50,000 to $150,000 per year was what they boasted! After 9/11 jobs with my qualifications in Management became fringe jobs and I had already been unemployed for 3 months.
My first meeting was with Christine Fischer who had me fill out forms that were more about financial than job experience. I fell for this hook, line and sinker wanting to believe a company could actually "get me the job". When the interview started I took a plethora of notes which will allow me to quote the promises made to me by her.
At our first meeting Christine outlined carefully all of the great things that Haldane could and would do for me. Right off the bat she talked about the "Hidden Job Market" that I would not normally have access to. Emphasis was placed on Haldanes vast contact network and their proprietory website that employers access and request interviews with BHA clients. Christine stated that they Do Not take all of the applicants as they were exclusive to the applicants they would help. She boasted about the fact that their fee of $5265.00 would be covered by the sign-up bonus I would receive when "they" found me the right job.
The second meeting Christine would at every turn use the phrase, " Wouldn't you agree" that my age was a factor, that this was a factor and that without Haldane I would be just another resume and wouldn't be able to compete in their job market.
Christine Fischer stated the following that BHA would do for me when I signed up:
. By signing with Bernard Haldane, I would benefit from the Hidden Job Market. Reality, there is no hidden market
. That Bernard Haldane had 1500- 1700 employers that worked with them. Reality... They don't
. Told me not to send out my resume and also wanted a list of who had it since these companies could be a part of their network. Reality, Bernard Haldane has no network
. Stated that Bernard Haldane works with the top HR departments and would help me find the right company through their network. Reality, again, they do not work with HR at any company.
. Stated that since they charged me the fee, their services were free to employers which made them more attractive and this is one way to get a better job than going through a recruiter. Reality, completely false!
. Stated if not right mix, call them immediately because their name BHA in on the line and they would get me out of the wrong environment immediately. Reality, Nobody knows who they are!
This sales pitch slowly began to make me feel inferior and insecure because they had so much power in the Industry! How could I top what they were offering me.
. Christine stated that Haldane bypasses HR departments and gets you right to the top to interview. Reality, BHA doesen't work with HR's let alone know the names of the companies, they have you do all the work!
. Stated they have access to 71% of the informal market! Reality, a blatant misrepesentation of what they actually do or have access to!
. She also stated that they do all the research! Reality, This is so far from the truth I spent over 60 hours online doing their research!
This is only half of their sales pitch and I'm sure it sounds familiar to anyone who has dealt with them.
All you get from Bernard Haldane is a counselor who gives you a book and has you do all the work. A few tapes from 1960 and your basically stuck! The resume they created for me didn't get me one single call. And my couselor would say that I wasn't ready to job interview for months! And the most horrible part of all is I got caught up in this whole mess! Don't let them take your money, they have a misleading and unethical sales pitch that deserves the attention of the Attorney General's Office of every state.
After several attempts by calling or letter to get their attention and not getting a single response. I am not forced to file a complaint with the BBB of San Diego, the Attorney General's Office, consumer complaints, San Diego Attorney's Office, and call our local TV stations to get them to air a report on this company. I am demanding a full refund based on mispresentation, questionable selling practices and implied and veiled promises!
Cathy
San Diego, California
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