Complaint Review: Job Success

I received a phone call from Susan at Job Success inviting me to an interview. Here is the transcript of the message: "Yes I am looking for (my name). My name is Susan from Job Success regarding your resume that's been received and fully reviewed. Please do call me back at 416-363-9245. Thank you."

I called back promptly and was immediately suspicious. Susan did not have a specific job title or job description that she was recruiting for. Since I am actively looking for work I decided to pursue this cautiously and for the interview practice. I was told they needed approximately one hour for a first meeting. I offered that I was free Friday afternoon due to my company's summer hours, but also on Wednesday I had an 11am appointment downtown so could also meet before that. I was surprised that rather than selecting Friday, she suggested I meet with them at 10am Wednesday and she'd let "them" know I wouldn't be free for the full hour. She asked me to bring along another copy of my resume.

I am generally suspicious of companies recruiting without a specific job title or description. There are enough candidates out of work that most recruiting companies are not seeking more general candidates. I also know that Workopolis, where my resume is posted, provides legit employers with a full resume. Therefore, I opted not to bring my resume along. This appointment was on my way and convenient compared to my 11am meeting so I thought I'd just see what this was all about.

First impressions of the office were OK, except for the creepy unhappy receptionist behind glass and obviously removed wall graphics (some parts of the company's former names had been peeled off the walls leaving some strangely placed words out of context, like "Careers" off centre on one wall).

I was clearly scoped out by a group of intake workers behind the glass and then invited in for the first meeting. The first questions were strange indeed. Am I married? How many years? What's my significant other's name?

I declined to answer my partner's name. I stated that I was uncomfortable providing personal information without a specific job opportunity to discuss. This prompted the the man, Don Lutzko I believe, to write a lot down on his notes. Questions continued of a general career nature and the discussion was interesting and thoughtful. It seemed he had a genuine interest in my career but not any specific knowledge of me or my current industry. He later admitted that normally he would preview a resume, but in my case he was meeting with me without this preview.

Towards the end of my shortened meeting (since I had an 11am appointment nearby) the truth started to come out. I was told that they normally like to book a second meeting during the first one, but in my case if I would call back later today that was fine. My spouse would be required to come to the second meeting since what affects one affects both. I was told that there would be negotiable fees for their services, and then Don showed me a questionnaire that would have been filled out, time permitting, that looked like a highschool guidance department career development tool.

Upon leaving, Don put his hand on my shoulder and shook my hand.

I left knowing this was a total scam, with zero intention to meet with them again. I am not desperate for work, but I also do not have several thousand dollars to part with. I felt proud that my instincts were correct, but sorry for the three men sitting in the lobby waiting for their 11am appointments... I couldn't even look at them. I am considering going back to that office next time I pass by to warn people waiting for their appointments.

When I got back to my office I Googled "job success" with little success, but then Googled "350 Bay Street" and found a wealth of scam reports such as this site. Please don't waste your time going to 350 Bay Street 9th floor to meet with Job Success. It's a total scam.