Watch Out For This Job Search SCAM
Q. I have been contacted by a firm that promises to market my skills to companies. They claim to have many contacts with local companies. I’m not sure it is worth the cost. Any recommendations regarding using someone to market me?
I have two words for you, BUYER BEWARE. Too often these firms claim a lot and deliver very little. Since they contacted you, that is a red flag and you need to do your research. These firms always spring up in times of high unemployment.
Some things to consider before writing a check include: Are they claiming or even implying they will find you a job? If this is even implied, run and run fast. Do they claim to have access to the “hidden job market?” Have them provide references of other candidates they have worked with that are now working due to their help. If they are as good as they claim to be, they should have a list of raving fans. You should speak with people currently in the program. Contact the Better Business Bureau to check for any complaints. If they claim they have companies they work with regularly ask to speak to someone at the company. Don’t accept any excuses for not being able to do this. Do they offer a money back guarantee? Ask to speak to someone they actually refunded the money to. Don’t accept that they have never had to give a refund. No one is that perfect. Is the full fee paid up front? Finally, you should write out a list of expected results you want them to deliver and over what period of time they will deliver these results. Make them very specific. If they don’t meet them then they need to agree in writing to refund your money.
I know too many candidates that have fallen prey to these firms. There are good ones and many excellent professionals, but be careful. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
To download the free chapter on Conducting an Effective Phone Interview from our book “This Is NOT The Position I Accepted” CLICK HERE and then click on the Free Search Resources link.
If you would like to know if your job search is fully utilized and you are doing the right things, download our free 8 Matrix Job Search Self-Assessment Scorecard. CLICK HERE and then click on the Free Search Resource link.
I welcome your thoughts and comments.
Brad Remillard
Tags: Career Mistakes, Career Planning, Job Boards, Job Search Preparation, job search research
Job Search Mistakes | bradremillard February 7, 2012
About the Author
Brad Remillard is a founding Partner of IMPACT Hiring Solutions, co-author of "You're NOT the Person I Hired", and "This is NOT the Position I Accepted". Brad is an award-winning international speaker, retained executive recruiter, and expert on hiring and retaining top talent, and executive job search.
1 Comment
Other Links to this Post
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
By Ron McManmon, February 7, 2012 @ 9:33 am
Good suggestions and you are right Brad, there are some great people out there that really do want to help and have the skills to do so. AND, it goes the other way around.
The biggest challenge for a job seeker is knowing who to trust and most do not and will not invest in their own knowledge and skills as it relates to their career. Someone told me the other day it is because the American workers feel entitled.
Rather than giving a persona a fish it is better to teach them how to fish. It’s not so hard but most people want the easy way and trust the ones that give them a fish… which will turn out to be the hard way. IMHO Ron:)