Recently CBC Television?s Marketplace investigated a career services firm that was ripping off clients. In Recruitment Rip-Off, Tom Harrington exposed the aggressive and unethical sales practices of a Toronto-based company that first pretends to be a recruitment firm and then scams job seekers by taking thousands of dollars. The company?s representatives often target internet job seekers as well as new immigrants by expertly playing on their inexperience and desperation in the labour market.
Over the years, I?ve had numerous complaints about this shady company ? both from clients and well-reputed career practitioners. They currently go by the name Toronto Pathways, but over the years, they have gone by several other names to avert the many complaints that can be found on the Internet. This organization is under investigation by Canada?s Privacy Commissioner for its misleading practices.
Clearly, ethics and integrity are of primary importance to everyone ? job seekers, practitioners, and recruiters alike. I personally know and value the services of many outstanding professionals. It?s unfortunate that one ?bad egg? can hurt job seekers and taint the industry as a whole.
If you are a job seeker, you need to be informed.
RED FLAGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
The company offers a VERBAL guarantee. Most ethical companies display their guarantee directly on the website. Any services that do not have details on the site should readily email you a formal quote before taking money. Always read the guarantee and quote in full before signing up for services.
They entice you by saying that you are special and your search is especially easy. Don?t believe everything you hear. Every search requires work. If it did not, then it would be easy for everyone to find jobs. Learn the best techniques to perform a strong job search and you will have the best chance for success.
They?call both you and your spouse into the office. Any good career firm will give you a quote without requiring you to come into the office with your spouse and make a decision on the spot. Before trekking into the office, take the time you need to learn more about the service.
They approach you on a job board posing as a recruiter, but asking for money. If a company finds you on a job board, they may be legitimate. However, respectable recruiters earn their money by filling positions on behalf of companies. The employer pays for these services and therefore you should never give money for an interview.
The references they cite are unreachable. Instead of relying on testimonials or companies listed on websites, do your homework. Most good practitioners have many endorsements from real people directly on LinkedIn.
They say that they have new postings every day. Most open job postings can be found on job boards, company websites, and through LinkedIn. Some high-level recruiters that are retained by companies have access to private postings which don?t come along every day. If you meet a ?retained recruiter,? they will never charge you for services.
The company promises that if you pay, they will connect you with employers. You cannot buy personal contacts with people. The job of doing an effective job search is yours ? not theirs. It is unrealistic to expect that an employer will want to meet with you if you don?t even have the ability to approach them directly. If you make the effort to learn and develop relationships with decision makers, you will create opportunities.
There are no career-related?certifications or credentials listed on the website. Most provinces in Canada currently have or are enacting provincial certification requirements for practitioners. Career Professionals of Canada credentials practitioners in the areas of resume writing, interview coaching, and career consulting. Before retaining any firm, refer to Career Professionals of Canada?s professional directory to ensure that the consultants are certified.
The company seems too good to be true. There are many outstanding service providers across Canada. Do your homework to find them. Before retaining anyone check the Better Business Bureau and the RipOff Report. Google the company name for complaints too.
When it comes to career services, Canada is a leader in the world. Job seekers who qualify for unemployment insurance can find many fundamental resources free at government-sponsored career centres and service providers. Other government programs are available for new Canadians, youth, and other under-employed groups. If you do not qualify for these services, you can find many ethical service providers including certified career practitioners and resume writers.
The MarketPlace piece has hit a nerve within our industry. Respectable recruiters are uncomfortable being labelled alongside a company that pretends to be a headhunter, but is really a scammer. Principled career practitioners feel that they have not been properly represented in the piece. And, through it all, job seekers feel slighted and exploited by corrupt organizations.
In 2011, The Canadian Council of Career Development Associations was launched, bringing together the executives of jurisdictional associations and Career Development organizations all in an effort to improve our industry standards. I am pleased to be on the steering committee of this national umbrella group and advocacy voice to promote professional identity, excellence, and collaboration on common issues such as certification, training, practitioner mobility, quality service indicators, and building the career development evidence base. If you have any questions or concerns about this piece, please comment below or email me?directly.
Thank you for reading my blog! Please email me if you spot any errors in this post.
Source: http://sharongraham.ca/2012/03/career-service-scammer-uncovered/
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