I want to pass on my sincere thanks to the operators of this site. The information here and other places on the net have saved me from being taken in by Haldane. I started getting suspicious as I filled out the homework assignment given to me and as I started playing back the interaction that I had with my VP (I am not going to name him as this is not personal, my issue is with the firm and it's practices) during my first interview'.
I truly went expecting an interview and what I was getting was a sales pitch. My session very closely mirrors those described on this site. As my suspicion built I decided to do some internet research. I wouldn't buy a car or computer without doing this kind of research so I was kind of annoyed with myself for not doing this before going in to see them in the first place.
My VP did a very good job of building me up. Almost too good. They have an extremely nice office in a high rent high rise down town. I clearly felt I was dealing with a quality organization. The leather bound brochures in the lobby and the fancy furniture all added to the allusion. Here are the clear implications he made to me:
He could connect me with a large number of unpublished jobs. Although this was not stated, I got the impression that they would actually arrange contact with these firms. Not only the firms but with CEO's.
Their success rate was greater than 90%. But he did not really define what success meant. The implication being, if I came on board I would almost be guaranteed to find employment.
He told me that I should not be talking to middle managers as I would intimidate them. I should only be dealing with CEO's. Although this made me feel good it really didn't sound like reality.
I was left with the feeling that I should feel honored that he would consider taking me on as a client.
Here are other the alarms that went off:
As I filled out the questionnaire that was given to me to fill out at home, I got the impression that they were gathering information to help them, not to help me.
He said that I was underpaid and should have been getting much more. I thought that was quite a stretch as I know that in my field I am overpaid and have always been happy with my pay.
He stuck to what felt like a party line even though I didn't fit the standard profile. Again, it felt like a sales pitch. I have voluntarily left my firm on a leave of absence in order to relocate to Austin. I was happy with my job, well paid and voluntarily left one of the most desirable jobs my firm has with an open offer to come back. He didn't seem to take that into account as he was building his case.
He would not talk about cost. He mentioned that there would be a negligible fee but most likely I would not have to pay anything as many firms pay them to place people. Based on everything I've read outside of their very elaborate self generated positive online presence, this is the only point where I feel that I was out and out lied to.
I was unsettled about questions about my spouse or girlfriend that seemed irrelevant.
He gave me this feeling that he liked me. Much in the same way a car salesman would in order to disarm someone and lower their guard. Why would someone that's going to provide professional service be trying to disarm me?
Although I was impressed to have been talking to a VP, it did seem odd to me that the first person that I would interact with would actually be a VP. This would make Haldane the most horizontal organization I've ever seen!
This is an odd one but it really struck me as odd as I left, the receptionist seemed very unprofessional to me for an office that would profess to have clients who are CEO's and the leaders of industry. It just didn't fit.
I cancelled my second appointment yesterday. I called and told the receptionist of my desire to cancel my appointment. I had considered asking her if she was the VP of Reception services! She abruptly passed me off to my VP's phone mail box as I attempted to explain why I was canceling. She clearly has been through this before. I left a message for my VP explaining that I had no desire to deal with his firm and why. I have not heard a word back from him. Again, would a professional organization act this way?
Anyone considering using Haldane should really do their homework first. There's enough negative press out there to convince me that they are not what they profess to be.
Fred
Austin, Texas
U.S.A.
0 comments