Last week I called Bernard Haldane in Dallas to discuss a pending career change. The receptionist told me that, luckily, they could fit me into a spot the following day (due to a last minute cancallation). After waiting a few hours, I called back and to my suprise - I was able to change the meeting time to 4 hours eariler than originally scheduled.
The next morning I meet with a VP of Bernard Haldane (which apparently isn't too hard to do) and discussed career opportunities. With only basic information provided to the VP - he quickly informed me that I was way underpaid, and should be able to attain 50% increase in salary. I was stunned, since I had lied about my current salary and increased it by 25% to start with (which I know is at the upper upper end of the scales for my career path). The VP gave me a bunch of paperwork, and asked me to get my wife and come back in 2 days.
The VP told me that the fees would be around $5k, but that would be reimbursed to me by them, once the hiring company paid them - which happens "almost every single time". I was convinced that $5k was a steal, because I was going to obtain a job which paid so much more. Additionally, I was going to get an ongoing career relationship with BH for 5 years, etc., etc.
I came home and reviewed the stuff he provided me - not much inside. Due to the snake oil salesman feeling that I had, I called and cancelled my next appointment, and told him that I would be back in touch as soon as my calander cleared. That afternoon, I made an appointment at an executive recruiter firm, that told me the hiring company ALWAYS pays. The second firm, spent about 1.5 hours discussing things like market conditions, timing, reviewed my history, background and made serious suggestions to my resume. I was told that the acquiring company would pay 30-40% of my first years salary and that the search for my level would take 4-6 months. I have a follow up visit with the second firm next week.
Check you options before you jump into anything.
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