Are they who they say they are? Today’s global recession presents a prime environment for many organizations that prey on the misfortunes of those who will be affected by it. The increasing loss of jobs will leave some desperate and vulnerable, willing to believe promises of a new and successful career and gullible enough to invest $$$’s in order to get it. The old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it is”, should be a constant reminder especially during tough economic times. Some executive recruiters and career management organizations may not be who they say they are. If during your job search you find yourself working with a recruiter who asks you for money, they are not a recruiter. If you are seeking a career management organization, be sure the individual you are dealing with possesses a variety of certifications. They may be out to sell you more than you bargained for. Rip-off Report is written by consumers for consumers and I strongly advise you to check it out before engaging the services of any company that you do not have a reliable reference for.
Here are some questions that may help you in choosing a reputable company when looking for professional services:
- Does the company have a professional website, free of typos and grammatical errors?
- Does the website contain detailed information/photos of the individuals involved in the organization?
- Are there any clearly recognizable certifications? Does it include the logos of the associated institutions?
- How detailed is the contact information? Is there a complete address, phone, cell, email, etc.?
- When you Google the company and individuals within the organization is the information positive?
- Is the company associated with other reputable organizations?
- Are you sure the company is not listed on sites such as, www.ripoffcomplaints.com?
- Has the company been in business for a number of years?
- Are you able to acquire references for the company from your business contacts, friends, family or online networking sites?