How To Tell a Career Counselling Company is Real
Legitimate Companies Help the Job Seeker; Others Scam
Oct 19, 2009
In today's economic downturn, it's especially hard to find suitable employment for many people. Add to this the prevalence of work scams, and/or offers to find good paying jobs in exchange for a fee which turns out to be just career counselling, and the situation worsens. There are legitimate companies that will help the job seeker find appropriate employment; unfortunately, there are even more companies that prey on the vulnerability of job seekers.
Learn to Tell the Difference Between Legitimate Companies and Offers, and Work Scams
Without having first hand experience with each company, it's difficult to figure out where an appealing marketing company site fits in. A reader asks if a particular company is legitimate, but it is far more important for each reader to be able to figure out from a site what questions to ask before making an appointment for career counselling in any shape or form.
Q. What can you tell me about ITS Personal Marketing company. Are they legitimate and respected in the industry. Please advise.
Thank You
LG
Can the Company Easily be Reached
A. Rather than respond to the specific, it's more important to learn how to tell on your own if a site or company is legitimate, especially with marketing companies. First and foremost is to see if there is a true physical address and phone number. PO boxes don't cut it. Look up on Google to see where the address really is, and don't be afraid to call the phone number provided, even if it's just to see if a live body answers, and if you can get directions to their location. This early sign will help you avoid work scams
No physical address means the company does not want you to know they most likely work out of a PO box and cannot be reached easily.
Read the Information Provided. Does it Help the Job Seeker or is it Hype
Next you need to actually read what the company offers, and how it offers or backs up its reputation. Legitimate corporations state their mission statement upfront. Always ask yourself why a company would not want the mission statement visible. The mission statement shows the company most likely has a business plan and financial backing. Does the site offer real information about what you will receive, or is it mostly hype. As a job seeker, you must ensure you are dealing with appropriate companies to help you in your job search.
Of course fees are a big deal breaker. It's understood many companies do not want to post all their fees online. This protects their being able to deal effectively with different people while not allowing the competition to outbid them; but it also is a warning signal that fees may be higher than necessary to the client, or that they realize they must sell you on the worth of their services.
As a rule of thumb, if the company at least lists a price range (ie "starting from") then proceed with caution. If upon calling, you get a range, you can again proceed with caution. If you are given a "song and dance" and must come into the office to get any kind of quote - RUN AWAY. These marketing companies are trying to get you to invest your time, and therefore make you feel more attached to the company, which is an intimidation feature to get you to part with your hard earned cash. As a job seeker, you can ill afford to make any mistakes with your money.
A Job Search IS Work
In a quick perusal of the site in question, the site fails to address many of the above criteria. There is a physical address and phone number though, so it would certainly be beneficial for you to call and talk to them. Just keep your mind focused on what you think they should do for you, and how they expect to do that. Remember that a job search IS work; no one can get you a job, they can only help you get one yourself.
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