Groom and Associates

I have submitted my resume to Groom & Associates on two occasions after reviewing some job descriptions that fit my experience perfectly. I followed up with phone messages and emails to the recruiters but NEVER received a call back - or even any confirmation that my resume had been received.

My spouse has left 3 messages with them now that he is seeking employment and has gone through the same unfortunate experience.

We are both highly qualified professionals but cannot say the same about this recruitment company. The results we received from other agencies puts Groom & Associates to shame.

The director working at this company (daughter of president), has no management skills. A very cold person who demands results through intimidation.

She shows no sense of compassion or empathy with her employees. Groom & Associates has had turnover non stop for the past 3-4 years. How do you expect to find people work, if you can't manage your own staff? If you bring her business she will LOVE you, if not, she will literally ridicule and harass you.

This is not acceptable.

{{Redacted}} Very thankful to have left this company. Good Luck!

I tried two years ago and went through the online assessments, at the last question the website dropped. Tried again, same thing.

I went for an 'interview' and not only did they not followup on it, I called to ask and she said something that didn't make sense. My impression was they were trying to pad the files with new recruits resumes with fake jobs. I tried again over the last month and found out the recruiter from two years ago (surprise, surprise) wasn't there anymore. I logged onto 'my jobs' and positions I applied for are still showing in process.

Not only that, they never asked me to do any assessment testing. I agree with other comments. I am not here to slander a company but it's the job seeker that has to do all the work. They seem to want things to just fall in their lap without any effort.

Definitely a bad experience x two. I would not waste my time with this company.

I went for an interview at the downtown Montreal office. The receptionist asked me to fill out two (2) forms that would basically grant Groom and Associates the right to check, WHENEVER THEY WANT, all my history (i.e.: Credit history, background, etc).

I refused to sign that at that time and explained to the receptionist that, if and when I get a job with them, I'll sign the necessary forms (if, indeed they are essential for the job I was applying for). She replied that it was ok and basically understood that, by law, I have the right to keep my private life, private. She then simply asked me if I wished to sit on one of the chairs while I waited for the recruiter.

I had an appointment with Meagan Drake. In all my life, I have NEVER seen such of an unprofessional recruiter!

First, she was dressed with a pair of lavender jeans and a white tank-top (like the ones men wear under their dress shirts) through which everybody could see her bra. Since the back of her white tank-top didn't have two (2) straps but just a wide curvy one at the back, we could all see her bra straps, too). She was also wearing running shoes and her disheveled hair was placed in some sort of makeshift bun at the upper back of her head.

She asked to the receptionist for the two (2) forms I was "supposed" to fill out and then came to see me. She said that I had to fill them out. I explained to her the same thing I explained the receptionist (i.e.: That I never sign such papers unless necessary if and when I get a job that requires that type of information). She proceeded to tell me that they needed those form sign to put in their system and not to worry because THE JOB I WAS APPLYING FOR DIDN'T REQUIRE ANY OF THOSE INFORMATION!!! I then said to her that, therefore, there's no need for me to sign those forms! She then said to me that EVERYBODY sign those forms. I looked at here and I felt like saying "I'm sure of that! And if everybody jumps off a bridge, are you going to do that, too!?" Seriously, how many other inane comments like this does a recruiter have up her sleeve and pretends it's a solid argument to make her case with?

She insisted that I signed them and I explained to them that those forms were giving them the right to check my private life whenever they wanted to and that I was not agreeing to that. She then told me not to worry because they don't check unless needed and when it's needed, they do inform the candidate about it. The thing is, that's what she says! it doesn't mean that they do respect people's privacy! What guaranty do I have that, one day, they won't be curious and want to have that info!? Signing those papers, is like giving them a key to your house and they'll go to your house to snoop around whenever they want without you knowing a thing about it. Besides, signing those papers doesn't even guaranty you a job with them! So you're basically giving them a key to your house without any collateral from their part!

When I finished explaining this to her, she then said to me that she was sorry but that if I didn't sign those forms she couldn't see me for an interview.

I couldn't stop thinking how *** that 20-something girl is! That type of behavior opened the agency up for being sued for going a multitude of laws!!!

This was the FIRST time ever I had heard a recruiter tell me that I wouldn't be seen in an interview if I didn't sign such forms. I stopped signing those forms a very long time ago and there's nothing in the world that can make me sign them if I don't want to. My private life is private!

And then I thought about the fact that this girl didn't care about the candidates that went to see her. It took me an hour and a half to get to their office and another hour an a half to get back. So, 3 hours total and here's what happened next.

The girl gave me an interview that didn't even last 5 minutes!

She started by saying that in the 2 years that she had worked there, I was the first one to refuse to sign those forms. Well, looks like I'm the first one to actually read those forms and also the first one who's informed about what it means to sign them and what kind of info they can gather with those! It also looks like they're used to have candidates that obey like sheeple. I guess that recruiter is not used to seeing people that can actually think for themselves!

Then the girl proceeded to show me, by asking incredibly inane questions, how unprofessional she is by making sure I knew she hadn't even read my resume at all.

Let's just say that I did not get the job, for which I was over qualified, just because she didn't appreciate the fact that I stood up for my rights to keep my private life private!

It always surprises me how foolishly proud and ignorant some recruiters are! By behaving this way, they refuse great candidates just because their own ego took a toll!!!

How sad and unprofessional!

I'll NEVER again apply for jobs with Groom and Associates!

This employment agency provides the most horrible and unprofessional service imaginable. The recruiters all seem completely lost and confused every time you speak with them.

They NEVER do what they say, for example, they NEVER follow-up with potential candidates. They contact you or you contact them about a job posting that you know you are completely qualified for, they tell you they are sending your resume to the employer, and then you never hear back from them. They do not reply to your e-mails or phone calls.

If they do, they are always extremely rude. STAY AWAY from this agency, do not bother wasting your precious time with them.