Looks like RD Group International has a definate pattern to their scam.
I started posting my resume on job boards around May 20th. On May 22nd, I get an email from Nicholas Martin from martinagencies (ironic?), www.martinagencies.com, saying:
"Dear Mr. X, I came across your resume and was impressed. While I don't work in your area, some colleagues of mine do and may be able to help you with your job search, and more importantly, help you assess your marketability. We are part of a network of agencies that work strictly on behalf of high-quality management and executive level professionals. Would ie be alright if I forwarded your information and suggest they call you? If so, just reply to [email protected] with attached resume. Let me know and good luck! Sincerely, N. Martin"
Well, I saw this and my thoughts were "WOW, that was fast, and these guys sound good", so gullible me respond saying I am definately interested and forward my resume on.
Shorthly thereafter, I received a call from Shobee at RD Group requesting that we setup a meeting to discuss with them the possibily of some type of arrangment. We agree, and I go down to the RD Group offices at 350 Bay street.
First of all, let me tell you about this building. For an international company, the building where the office is housed is not that good. It almost looks sixties style, with gold plated elevator doors, and an antique looking mail box out front which again is gold plated. There is some type of pharmacy in the lobby, and when I got there, someone from the pharmacy was taking some garbage down the elevators with some liquid leaking out of it. This immediately roused my suspicions. This was definately not a professional type of building.
I finally make it to the 9th floor (Suite 900), and again, the image of the place is no that professional. I walk upto the receptionist to tell her I am there to meet with Shobee. This receptionist must be the rudest and most annoying receptionist in the world. She sits behind her glass window secure from anything. She just asks for my last name and tells me to take a seat. Within minutes, a gentleman comes and asks me to come in and takes me into his office. His office is large, very spacious, and has an interesting setup. He introduces himself as Herbert C. Theune.
Herbert gets right down to discussion going over my resume, and asking me to highlight my career development in the past, and what my future looks like. Then he starts talking about RD Group. Basically, they are a company that works with the client to get him placed with the proper position in their area of interest. Because of the unique position they are in, they can market the client and reach a much broader market space than standard job boards and individual recruiters can do. They work will all recruiters, and big name companies to promote individuals. They keep a low profile, preferring to get the clients names out into the market and allow for individual growth.
WOW, doesn't that sound great? He also goes on to tell me they interview about 120 people a week, out of which only about 10 they take on as clients to come back for a second interview, but before that, I have to complete some documentation and meet with one of their VP's who will then decide if I am eligible.
Wow, this sounds like a truly professional company, but, because I am such a motivated individual who has definate potential, all that is not required and Herbert, a Senior Director, is willing to take me on as a client immediately. Now suspicion hits. Why break process? If a VP is required to decide client status, how can a Senior Director do this. I keep playing on with the charade while I am thinking I need to do some investigation and I am done for not having done more before wasting my time and money to go downtown in the middle of the business day.
Herbert goes onto tell me what the next steps are and we book a second meeting. He gives me a bunch of paperwork to complete, again, totally unprofessional looking paperwork. They even go as far as printing one page on fancy resume paper which all of us job hunters know is just a scam to minimize the shortcomings of the content on the paper. He then insists on me bringing my partner to a discussion at the second meeting because anything that impacts your future and your life requires a joint input.
I don't get into details, but say I'll think about it. He then goes onto tell me that once I come to the second meeting, I will get a web login which will give me full access to their web resources and I can start my search, and then randomly throws in the fact that we will discuss fees at the second meeting. Again, I get suspicious. Generally, recruiters get a percent cut or head hunter fee. They don't charge the client. So I sat there all smiling and listened to same speech and encouragement which most of you received, and went home, and researched them. Found this site, and now my eyes are opened. Thank you everyone for your input. Definately not going to the second interview and will be cancelling asap.
Thanks
Jonathan
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
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