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BBB urges job seekers to employ common sense
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CopyIn these challenging times, job seekers are looking for any advantage they can get. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota advises caution to those considering hiring a placement agency - or corporate headhunter - to find them a job. Though it appears the economy is starting to improve, there are still many people searching for a limited number of jobs, and the lean job marker has affected even placement agencies. Before paying a company a significant amount of money to enhance your employment prospects, be sure to do the following:
Find out what you're paying for; what are the company's job placement rates? How long will they work with you if you don't find a job in a timely manner? What if they can't find you employment - is there any kind of a money-back guarantee?
Make sure you need the assistance of a job search firm. Many of these firms offer basic job-hunting tools, such as resume' overhauling and interviewing techniques, which job seekers can often research on their own using library and internet resources.
Ask yourself if your work history makes you a good executive candidate. Generally, companies only offer management positions to those with previous management experience. If you've just received your college degree you will probably want to seek an internship or an entry-level position on your own.
Ask for references or names of some companies the placement agency has placed previous clients with. Follow up with calls to these companies to verify the relationship.
Compare the company's rates to other companies in the same industry.
Contact the Better Business Bureau to obtain a Reliability Report on any company you are considering hiring. Visit our Website 24 hours a day at www.the-firstbbb.org or call 651-699-1111 or toll-free (in Minnesota) at 1-800-646-6222.
A Twin Cities job placement firm, Arthur Group Executive Search has come under scrutiny after clients alleged the company failed to secure job leads for them as promised in their agreement. BBB CEO Dana Badgerow says, "We became suspicious about the company after receiving a number of similar complaints against them. We had already placed the company's Reliability Report on hold, making it inaccessible to people seeking information on them, and were in the process of reviewing their file when reports of problems became public."
The Better Business Bureau has been in contact with Arthur Group Executive Search and they have stated they have closed their business.
Complaints against the 'company state their services resulted in neither jobs nor job interviews. Some complainants allege the company failed to forward on their information to potential employers as promised. The company responded to complaints by saying they had provided services per the contact the customer signed and they did not guarantee employment. In some cases they offered refunds for services the customer had not yet received.
Arthur Group Executive Search also has testimonials from former clients on their website. The BBB followed up with some of these clients and found that at least in one case the client was unaware they were featured on the website -- and they had not authorized the company to use any statement for promotional materials. Other clients stated that though they were pleased with some of the services they received, they ultimately did not find a job through their agreement with the company.
If you have a dispute with Arthur Group Executive Search you can file a complaint with the BBB and/or you may wish to seek legal advice.
The mission of the Better Business Bureau is to promote through self-regulation-, the highest standardfs of business ethics and conduct; and to instill public confidence in responsible businesses through programs of education and action that inform, protect and assist the general public. Contact the BBB at www.thefirstbbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 1-800-646-6222.
Copyright 2009 Sentinel Tribune, Westbrook, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2009 Sentinel Tribune Westbrook, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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