New Job Lead Scams
By Terrie OConnell
According to industry experts, U.S. corporations announced 95,000 job cuts in June 2002. With that many individuals looking for work, some are bound to become targets for less-than-reputable businesses willing to take advantage of their employment situation.
These companies may find you by posting up fake job listings or by searching through resumes posted online.
Here is an example of an email that you might receive:
From: **********
To: **********
Subject: Interview
Date: **********
Hello,
I am contacting you from ******** in *********. We are an executive placement firm. We are in receipt of your credentials and have a number of positions for which you qualify. Please call ********** at ********* from 9 to 4 daily and leave a message with your daytime telephone number. ************ will then call you back to confirm. This will help to alleviate playing "telephone tag." Thank you and Look forward to meeting you.
As you can see, people can easily be confused into thinking that they are interviewing for a specific position. However, some of the firms may misrepresent their services, promote outdated or fictitious job offerings, or charge high upfront fees for services that may not lead to a job.
In fact, Better Business Bureaus have received a number of complaints about the services provided by several such "career management" firms. In some cases, the BBB has uncovered high-pressure sales tactics, overpriced aptitude "tests" and letter-writing services, and implied promises of employment that cannot be fulfilled.
Too many consumers who respond to these ads think they are contacting a bona fide placement service that is seeking candidates to fill specific jobs. Instead, they reach a business that creates the impression that consumers obtain employment through use of its "services." To make matters worse, the consumer is led to believe that most or all of the fees ultimately will be refunded, which turns out to be false.
A reputable Career Counseling firm will clearly state that their service is not to obtain positions for job seekers, but to prepare them to make career decisions, improve their resumes, boost their interviewing effectiveness and help them to locate and secure positions which fit their goals. The cost is an agreed-upon fee paid by the job seeker and is not contingent on obtaining a job.
The effectiveness of your experience will depend in large part on your counselor. When you research counselors, find those that your friends and associates have used.
What special training does a career counselor have?
Training varies considerably in length from several months to only days. Many firms which have little training of their own may send their counselors to local, state, or national training programs.
The most qualified counselors have passed a comprehensive examination which allows them to be certified. The exam covers such subjects as legal aspects of the industry, general business practices and handling practical situational problems. It is worthwhile to seek out someone who has passed this certification criteria.
Find a counselor who is knowledgeable and understands your field of work, your skills and your goals. Look for someone who you can speak frankly to and with whom you can establish a productive rapport. Interview the potential career counselor as carefully as you expect to be interviewed.
How can a career counselor help you?
A good career counselor is an ethical professional whose aim is to assist you in finding a job. You can help that process by giving your counselor complete information from the beginning. Be open about your past experience and qualifications. If you withhold adverse information about your background, it is likely that the truth will come out eventually and be more damaging than if you have been honest to start. Your career counselor can explain to you how best to describe career liabilities in your resume and on an interview.
With ethical career counselors, the information that you discuss confidentially will remain that way. However, as part of the process of locating a potential job opening, your counselor may send your resume to a wide variety of companies. If there are any places that you would not want it sent -- because of the difficulty that might cause in your current job, for example -- tell your counselor.
Cooperate and work with your career counselor. It is to your advantage. After going out on an interview, let your counselor know the result immediately. He or she may be able to help you plan your strategy by putting the interview in perspective. The counselor may be able to tell you the company's reaction and offer you advice based on that knowledge.
If the advice the counselor offers you seems inappropriate, discuss the problem with them directly. Perhaps the counselor misunderstood your goals. If a mismatch keeps occurring, your counselor may not be the right one for you. If you feel you are being pressured to pursue a job that is wrong for you, find another counselor.
About the Author:
Terrie O'Connell is a renowned career consultant with her own successful entrepreneurial career spanning over 16 years. Terrie's passion is to help others realize their dreams - through strategically co-creating one's career, business and personal goals. Her comprehensive Career Center (www.fenixcareercoach.com) offers outstanding resources for those looking for career growth or job search strategy. For answers to your career questions, contact Terrie toll-free at 1-866-4LIVEADVICE and enter #16219.
