I entered this interview a little wary due to the heavy volume of advertising I had seen from Haldane. I could also infer from the ads that it wasnt a straightforward, free service or temp-type agency that recovers fees from employers. Once I got to the office, I grew more suspicious at the leased space making it one of about 30 companies all sharing 1 receptionist. Small but notable signs of cheesiness. It also drew an immediate association to a scam I recently dodged by Transcontinental Talent (TCT) after their long employment pitch. Look up that one on this site for a real hoot.
Mr. Dunch greeted me a few minutes late and took me back to his office. He casually mentioned his VP status (all of them are VPs it seems) and was extremely professional as he opened by explaining how this company was about getting people careers. He pushes buttons well, alternately reminding you of your weaknesses and where you should be while promoting how their advisors will get you there. He made the remark about how they get thousands of resumes and I was one of the lucky few selected.
And then I began wondering - why is this guy selling a product to me? Why is he a salesman? Shouldn't he be a no nonsense career guidance professional just laying out details of what they do and how they charge? I felt that I was being pitched. A long slow pitch exactly like TCT used. The similarities were eerie.
Tell me I'm special or 'chosen' when in fact probably everyone is chosen that pays.
Sell the company and their purpose.
Offices that look cold and unlived in.
Laminated newspaper clippings and some paperwork activities to get me involved in the process.
I felt from the git-go that I was already going to be accepted and I watched as he dragged out his pointed questions and 'spur of the moment' drawn graphs and such to try to suck me in. It was obviously pre-packaged, but I played along. As my skepticism grew he made these very long pauses, as if thinking about whether I was going to be accepted. Surprise. I was. At the end of the pitch he tacked on very quickly as an afterthought something like - "Dont even worry about fees and that cuz there are different ways to do it and it can be worked out after employment so it shouldn't even be an issue. Just forget about it. Now... Any questions?"
At this point I of course asked about the fees and if they could come out as a percentage after employment is obtained. Surely seems sensible if they are so reputable and place 98%. Why wouldn't they? They don't do that though. Not a possibility. So I brought up my skepticism and mentioned how i had recently been exposed to a scam operation so I was wary of upfront fees. He seemed aghast and curious. Asked me about the company - wrote down the name and such. I could tell he was visibly shaken. He then said we wouldnt proceed with the 2nd interview with my wife until I had put myself at ease with the company through research. He told me to look at their company website for testimonials. Hoping I guess that I'd confine my research to the company's own site. I already knew through TCT how scammers use fake testimonials and nice looking websites to give an appearance of integrity. I also knew that their '50 ' years in the business meant nothing. TCT is the 'worlds largest' of its kind and it's still a scam.
I left feeling depressed at wasting my time with another scam and immediately had my suspicions confirmed here. Of course, now that I know the fee is ~$6000, I wouldnt have signed on anyway.
Thanks for enlightening me again ROR.
Rob
Las Vegas, Nevada
U.S.A.
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