Got a very polite call asking me for an interview the next day at the local Bernard Haldane office. The front desk lady confirmed that they help people get jobs. Great I thought, exactly what I need.
So the afternoon of the next day I stroll over to their offices ready for an interview. I entered with an open mind, willing to accept anyones help in landing me the "job of my dreams". The first half of the interview with the lady was very how should I say, normal. It was very much like other interviews that I have had. Then things started to get wonky. She started talking about the difficult times and the underground job market being 85% of available jobs.
"I am sure you are aware of the %%__", she said (fill in whatever - ex: poor job market). She tells me of some bleeding heart stories of unemployed CEOs and that I am competing with them which is why I need the help of Bernard Haldane.
She talked about networking and buttered me up like I was a warm piece of bread. I believe she said, "... you have a lot of potential and I see you going far..." Here are a few other good lines she used. "You've invested so much into your education and development shouldn't you do the same for your career? " How about, "We only accept the best of the best which is why we have this screening process and at this point I'd like to arrange for a second interview." This after they took down all the demographic information on me and my girlfriend including how much I make.
So by the second half of the interview, if you can call it that, I was getting really pessimistic about what was going on. I outright asked how much? No answer. Again the same question versed differently. This time she responded, "Oh, about 1 months salary." Just bring your girlfriend in on Saturday so we can discuss things, we'll give you more details then. Need I say that I fealt like something wasn't on the level. Interview my ass, it was a blatant sales job.
Just so you know. In Canada you aren't allowed to charge people to get them a job - its illegal, the employer should pay it. Bernard Haldane doesn't say that they will get you a job, but come about as close as one can to saying as much.
So when I got back to the office I looked Bernard Haldane up on the internet at this address: https://groups.google.ca/groups? q=
Bernard Haldane&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en. The consumer complaints showed up I couldn't believe my eyes, the amount of bad press people were giving them nearly made me fall off my chair.
Why do they include the spouse/significant other? To brainwash them as well so that everyone agrees to being screwed out of money for services that they could easily do oneself providing that one showed a little initiative and effort.
While I wouldn't call Bernard Haldane a scam I would definitely list them under the "Almost False Advertising" title. Don't waste your time or your money. If you have lost time and money I wish you all the best in getting it back as I imagine it would be a struggle.
Cheers
Dave
Ottawa, Ontario
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