Having researched CTC as best I could and having worked with two other Career Counseling firms previously, I selected CTC because they claimed to be more effective in targeting the hidden job market and claimed to provide the personal attention and follow-up that I had found lacking in the two other firms. Certainly and initially their claims appeared to be true. However, after a couple of weeks it became obvious that:
1) They did not have the industry contacts that they claimed
2) My counselor was at best distracted and at worst disinterested
3) The so-called Job Book that they protected so carefully until the sign up occurred, contained jobs that were totally unrelated and aged
4) The seminars, while interesting, were nothing more than you could find online or in books on the subjects covered and were littered with personal anecdotes of Rick Davis' experiences that were totally unconnected
5) I got the feeling that they had my money and provided the canned services and then left me to my own devices
In desperation I searched for another career counseling firm that would provide a more professional services and better support. Thank goodness I found one. I then, politely set about trying to recover at least part of the payment from CTC. This is the amazing part and what I find supports my contention that CTC lacks the spirit evoked during the interview process prior to sign-up:
I received several written responses from Rick Davis detailing all the services they had provided, clearly and chronologically listed and priced. Almost as though Rick had been prepared to do this! (See Martin's comments elsewhere on this site).in desperation, I wrote to the Arizona Attorney General and filed a complaint. The response I received was pretty much what I expected another long chronological rebuttal of my claims, written by Rick. The Attorney General was unable to help me.
All I can say is that CTC may be the right firm for some out there. But please, please, please do your research and make sure that you read the contract and listen to the refund description carefully.in my case, I felt that I had been misled and that CTC lacks the integrity and compassion that I would expect from a counseling firm. Wasted money and wasted time at a time when both were in short supply. Disappointment yes, but I learned my lesson.
These counseling firms are in the business to make money. They are not your friend, mentor or confidant. They will take you through what has worked for others and take your money willingly without compunction. Take time to see if the process will likely work for you, and make sure you have an out at the appropriate time, with a refund.
What ever you do Do Not Pay a Large Retainer Upfront! Negotiate a small upfront payment with progress payments along the way, based on your results, not what they claim to have done for you or other clients.
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