Caveat emptor is Latin for "Let the Buyer Beware." Early on and before our time, caveat emptor was acknowledged as the property law doctrine that controlled the sale of real property after the closing date. theguerillajobcoach@comcast.net
In this day and age, it seems to me as a layman that caveat emptor is more loosely and frequently identified as a transaction between two parties when most anything is purchased, be it a piece of property or any type of good or service.
Most of us have learned as adults, for every unfortunate situation where a buck can be made in our society, someone with nefarious intentions will seize an opportunity. In this case I am talking about Job Seeker scams on the part of some so-called "career coaches / consultants."
You'll find these "consultants” on the internet with impressive looking web sites. They'll also typically run large display ads in metropolitan newspapers in the employment section. These companies have been known to make claim to having an "in" with not just a few, but rather many HR departments at the largest most attractive companies. In their ads and on their web sites they will list dozens of blind ad jobs with salaries ranging from $ 50,000 to $ 750,000 or more. Although their marketing materials look and sound too good to be true, it's a fact, desperate people are known to do desperate things and often times become victims.
Here's just one example as to how these people have been known to successfully suck people in: You contacted them so they already assume you are unemployed and desperate so; after you have found their ad, you are directed to call them to set up an appointment to "visit their office" or you can email mail them with your particulars and they will call you for the same purpose.
In this instance, the key is to get you to go to their office. When you arrive on site, they will greet you, tell you how wonderful your background and experience is; then you'll fill out a stack of paperwork, you’ll meet with a couple of people, perhaps be assigned a so-called “specialist” and then they’ll verbally tell you that for X dollars they will "GET you a new job."
Being on their on their home turf you will endure a well scripted nuclear powered sales pitch detailing all ways they can "supposedly" GET you a new job. They'll also try to convince you that you need them more than they need you.
Based on my research on career consultant "scammers," the average fees are just over $ 5,000. I read one article about a man (an ex-employee of one of these consulting firms whose conscience got the best of him) who stated that when it came to job seeker fees, "the sky was the limit." What I gathered from that courageous confession is that attractive commission were tied to closing the deal and to pull as much money out of the hopeful job seeker as possible.
Catch up with me on Tuesday, December 29th when I'll post Part 2
and learn how you can avoid being A Job Seekers Caveat Emptor Loser.
Have a great Guerrilla Day !
For information on corporate sponsored outplacement services, career coaching, resume assistance, the Guerilla Job Seekers 10 week boot camp, or if you would prefer personal one-on-one Guerilla job search assistance, contact me at:
Mark J. Haluska
Real Time NetWork & Guerrilla Job Search International
724-495-2733
• Certified "Guerrilla Job Search Boot Camp" Instructor.
• Contributing Co-Author of the highly acclaimed "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0," 1,001 Unconventional Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Landing your Dream Job. Released in June 2009
• Contributing Co-Author of the best selling book, “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters,” 400 Unconventional Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Landing your Dream Job. Released in 2005



Recent Comments