I just came back from a meeting with Larry Triplett, Bernard Haldane's Sr. V.P.in San Francisco. The meeting went 'well' and was some what uplifting. I have been unemployed for 3 months after being laid off from an interactive design firm as Creative Director. It was nice to finally talk to someone about my goals and how difficult it's been to find a job.
Mr. Triplett did ask me a lot of personal questions that I thought strange but thought might help him understand me and help in my career search. I filled out the requisite forms and set up a return appointment to over the evaluation. I was given 'homework' that included a form that my partner needed to fill out regarding my career search, etc. Aren't questions like age, marital status, etc. Illegal? Did I just give them more information to help them 'sucker me in'?
I left the office with an unsettling feeling and the question of 'how much is this going to cost?' Like others, I wasn't quite sure what Bernard Haldane services were. Thank goodness for the internet. I found this site and other articles on the cost and bad experiences (http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/story, local
/3774b2c0.821.html). It was eerie to read how cookie cutter their process was. The same statistics (97% success rate), paper work on the front desk of the six figure salaries they were able to help others get, etc.
Perhaps the company can help get folks focused on their career, write a resume, and show them how to use the internet to search for a job. Maybe they can help me gain some of my confidence back. One thing is for sure... I won't be laying out $ for their services. I can get career counseling for a lot less from the local YMCA located on the University of Berekely Campus. They offer career advice, local job postings, resume review and services @ $40/hr, etc. — a lot less money than what Bernard Haldane charges.
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