Question:
My wife (PhD with Bio/Chem background) was approached by a representive from
a company called Princeton/Masters International. They claim that they can
guarantee to find a job for you starting with resume, preparing interview...
But they charge for $3000! Their theory is only 5% jobs will appear in Sunday
paper, rest 95% is gone before that point. They know the infor and have the
connection to reach this %95. My wife is doing Post-doc work in a university
right now is thinking to find a real job.
This sounds ok to me just this $3000 is way to high. I appreiate if any body
post idea, experience about this company, service, charge..
Answer:
-Are you sure that the company "guarantees to find a job for you" ? I
have worked with "job placement" companies, but have never heard of any
guarantees. What they do is help you write a resume, and prepare you (via
role-playing) for the interviewing processs in general. Princeton/Masters'
percentages are right on. I don't think they necessarily have the con-
nection to reach the unadvertised 95%. They'll teach you how to network
your way into the 95% . And, if they are as good as Drake, Beam and Morin
(the placement firm I dealt with most recently) they will provide some
job leads, telephone access, computer access, Q&A, bonded paper, laser
printers, etc.
To sum it up, most of these firms help you prepare for networking. But maybe
Princeton/Masters is different. $3000 is not unusually high. I would pay it
if a placement firm were willing to GUARANTEE that THEY will find a job FOR
ME, in an acceptable period of time, of course.
-This may be a little late for your decision process, but here it is
anyway.
Princeton/Masters International is a reputable company who provide career
consulting. They will assist a client in 1) exploration (developing the
job objective) 2)developing the marketing plan (resume production is part)
3) launching the job search 4)developing cover letters for a myriad of
needs, e.g. broadcast letters, thanks you, friends, etc. 5)getting you
ready for the interview 6) negotiating techniques 7)developing an action
plan 8)holding your hand while you do your search
But, - they may guarantee an interview but they are not a placement
company and I would surmise that they haven't really guaranteed you a job.
$3,000 is the going price, and is determined on how much time they think
it will take them to package your wife, and how long it will take her to
get a position. They will hold her hand during the process, furnish
mailing lists, maybe provide a support group that she can attend
regularly.
The 95% you will have to find out yourself, they may furnish a mailing
list that you can use for a targeted mailing, but they really don't have
specific inside information about vacancies inside companies.
It looks like you came in from Sonoma County. If you are in the Santa
Rosa area there is an alternative company you may want to contact.
CareerPro has a really talented Career Consultant in Santa Rosa who can
provide you with the same quality of resume and job search capabilities
for $425 - $700. Call them at 1-800-546-0355 and they can give you the
Santa Rosa number, or the phone book will probably have
