Hello,
Just a note to let others know (I see there are many, many other people who have had similar experiences with this firm, so you can read their reports for more information - I won't be redundant) that you should stay away from Bernard Haldane Associates, aka BHA, aka Haldane.
The sales pitch is outrageous, insulting, embarrassing, not in any way professional, and should make anyone suspect. I asked at several times for the interviewer (a VP, like most of the rest of the office staff) to "cut to the chase, " and was given the flat and coarse answer of "no."
At the end of the dramatic, rehearsed, and at times quite theatrical sales pitch, I hedged (good negotiation tactics in any situation). I was immediately offered the 10%, ah, OK, how about 20% discount if I signed up today. I told him I'd consider his offer and get back to him, etc. "No, that's not good enough, " he said, "if you walk out that door, you and I both know you won't do it." So be it, I said, that's the way it's going to be. He came back with, "OK, no deposit required; I'll give you your money back after 3 sessions if you aren't satisfied." How about you only charge me if I accept a position, I replied. "Doesn't work that way, " was the answer.
No way, under no circumstances should anyone submit to this pressure. Everyone I asked, from executive recruiters to HR staffers, told me that one should never have to pay for recruiting services, and that most career counselling services offered are either low or no cost options readily available through reading materials, state employment offices, or other not-for-profit agencies, kind of like credit counsellors.
Don't fall for this one, even if you need some ego-stroking, or like in my case, are laid off from your IT job. There are other cheaper resources available.
JL
Boston, Massachusetts
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