Last month in Toronto, at the National Job Fair, there was a lot of recruiters firms. I spotted one booth with people from the "RD Group", all looking very professional. I went, talked to them, gave my resume, and was called for an interview. I met a nice guy, we talked and get along. I felt like a great candidate, The One they chose, and they seems to have a very professional career orientation program. They allegedly have offices in many countries (yeah right, try to find in on the web), exist since 60 years (again, no traces of that). I was thrilled: I thought that I was about to land a 60k job.
They scheduled a second interview, but this time, I had to bring my spouse. Weird, no? But I heard their reasons, and that sounded reasonable: "it's a familial decision", and since I love my wife and want to share everything with her, I thought that it could be a good idea. So we went for a second interview. A lot of blah-blah, a lot of B.S., and finally, after 1 hour where they suggested that I would easily get that 60k job, then we learn that they are not a recruitment agency, and that it costs $5000 to "work with them" as they say. "We'll think about it and call you", we said. I felt it was a trap. If they are so good at placing people, they don't need to as money before. Give me that 60k job, and then I'll be happy to pay $5000. But before that, no way (BTW, they have a discount of $500 if you pay everything right now ;-).
And I found this site with more dramatic stories of people who actually paid that amount and got nothing in exchange. Luckily, we did not fall for that, but I am sad to learn that they were able to catch people. I sent an email to CTV to tell them that there is a Bernard Haldane scam going on there. (I read in another post that they occupy the same premises; anyone can confirm that?). Anyway, don't waste your time, don't waste your money, don't pay for recruiters (it's against the law), and be careful when someone is trying to sell you hope. Be careful, when you are a job seeker, you are vulnerable: you are ready to take chance, dream easily and want to do everything to get a good job. Scam artists know that.
But thanks to Internet, you can google every company. Everytime I had a doubt, I look up the firm on the web, and every time I found that it was a scam or a waste of time (e.g. Primerca, Blitz Marketing Canada, Direct Energy). Now I will check even when I don't have a doubt.
Derek
toronto, Ontario
Canada
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