Fresh off the boat from France, I went to Bernard Haldane to jump-start my US job hunt. Having lived outside the US for ten years I was pretty defenseless against the sophisticated "scam" artists here. I was tempted by the hopeful "easy way" out, and the prospect of having "expert" companionship in an emotionally arduous job search. Also, one of Bernard Haldane's principals hailed from my blue-chip multinational employer in France, so they couldn't be all bad, right? Wrong.
When I arrived at Haldane, I was slightly uncomfortable in the fancy downtown Denver digs — obviously paid for by the unemployed. After a preliminary flattery meeting, and assurances that I had been 'selected' by the company, I went to a second meeting where my VP counselor (courtesy of "consumer complaints I now know that 'everyone' is a VP) offered to take my $7,000 in return for... Nothing. No kidding.
If I was such a hot prospect, I asked, why couldn't they invest in me and take a percentage of my first salary? No dice. But their sales pitch is excellent, and there was an allure in the elusiveness. I couldn't imagine they could get away with charging that much and offering nothing, so their services must be worthwhile...?? But I passed it up.in what other business would people part with $7,000 without a product, process, service level agreement or guarantee to show for it?
I'm going to spend some of that money on a new computer, a Java programming class, the beginning of an MBA... And I just might be able to fit in some season ski passes too.
A word to the wise... The horrendous job market has spawned hundreds of bogus "employment services" including fake "recruiter networks" that front for web sites trying to sell resume writing and distribution services. Don't fall for it!"High-level" people like us are the best qualified to write and distribute our own resumes. Best of luck to every one of us... And save your money for something that's worth it.
PS. There's a great PR job open at Bernard Haldane for "damage control."
Annette
Boulder, Colorado
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