Bernard Haldane Associates
Web-based Career "evaluation" form, vague sales pitch didn't get me! Rip-off

Hi, I have been posting resumes on popular sites and one of them made it onto an email promotion from Berbard Haldane Associates. I received an email suggesting that the information contained on my resume made me a potential candidate for job placement assistance with Bernard Haldane.

I have worked with credible job-placement resources, and my last positions were not executive, but were managerial. I thought that this might be a good resource to learn more about how to compete in the local market for a new position "doing the job that I love."

The first meeting was over an hour and a half. I have been scammed before in my youth and I do have a good sense of "people." The "VP", a man in his late 30s or early 40s in a sharp suit, tried various techniques to make me feel like I was "close" but "needed professional assistance" to fine tune the resume and have it shown to the right companies.

This person seemed to be very knowledgeable about the local market and I concluded that they were just "high-power consultants" that knew their business and had proven techniques and contacts for getting professionals placed quickly.

Then I asked how Bernard Haldane Associates made their money. Whew, then it got *really* vague. I asked flatly, "Do you collect money from me for the service, or do you collect a fee from the company that you will place me with?"

Then I got the pitch about how my fiancee should be there too for a meeting, because this is a discussion about finding the perfect job that worked for both of us. Fair enough, I thought, but that still didn't answer my question. "I'll have to do some research" was all that he would say. I asked again for "ballpark" or "typical" or "ranges" of fees. He replied, "Didn't you just ask that question? Didn't you hear my answer? There is no 'typical.' I'll have to do my homework."

Well, I reluctantly agreed to a meeting the following Monday with my better half. I was encouraged by the notion of working with a professional firm with contacts, but I had an uneasy feeling about it too.

I started doing my research today and found two things. First, Mr. Bernard Haldane died in Seattle last year, and the two articles that I found made sure to mention that he sold interest in the company in 1977 and has had NOTHING to do with it since. Pretty odd info to include in an obituary, unless the surviving family has some interest in making that distinction. I also found this site. Each experience has an element that I could identity with. I knew there was a big sales pitch coming on Monday.

I've learned that there are lawsuits pending agains the company in other states, so I called them to cancel the appointment. When the office administrator asked me if I would like to reschedule, I declined and informed her that I had learned of more than one lawsuit pending agains the company. Her only reply was, "well, not with this office!"

I think I've avoided a disaster!

Thanks!

JT
El Dorado, California
U.S.A.

Company: Bernard Haldane Associates
Country: USA
State: California
City: Sacramento
Address: 8801 Folsom Blvd. Suite 100

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