Job openings

May 21, 2006

Folks, you need to think before you send your resumes to blind email

addresses. Lately there have been a bunch of " job offers " asking interested

applicants to send resumes to this email address or that.

As you may or may not know, identity theft is rampant. The information sent

in a resume can give a crook a great start in developing an identity theft

using you as the victim.

Any company that wants to advertise positions available should, at the

minimum, send the following information.

Name of company, business form (sole proprietor, partnership, LLC,

corporation) and ownership

Address of company

Telephone number of company

Name of hiring contact

Salary and benefits offered

Whether or not the company is a Texas licensed EMS provider

Whether or not the company is U. S. owned.

There are many, many EMS firms now, particularly in Dallas and Houston, that

are owned by foreign nationals.

Before sending resume, check with the DSHS to see if it is a licensed EMS

provider and whether or not there are any pending complaints against it.

Check with the Secretary of State to see if it's in good standing, and also

check there for liens against it for unpaid wages.

Compare a company's " advertisement " with those that are put out by reputable

companies such as AMR, R/M, ETMC, Champion, Acadian, and by governmental

entities. Those are models to go by.

Don't ever send a resume to a blind email address.

Gene Gandy, JD, LP

May 21, 2006

You have your ideas, I have mine. I want to know about nationality of

ownership because there are fly-by-night people running lots of EMS transfer

services who won't pay their employees and who fade into the woodwork when

complaints are made. It's hard to trace a guy whose permanent address is in

Nigeria.

I have heard a number of such stories.

I only mentioned identity theft as one problem. There are others. Do you

really want to work for a company that has IRS liens on it? I won't go into

forms of business structures and why they're important to know about. Go

take a freshman business law course if you want to know about them.

Take my advice or leave it. I'm not your lawyer, thank God. But I did

stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Seriously, everybody does what they want to anyway. All I can do is offer

general advice based upon 40 years of experience with scumbag employers.

And there are more of them in EMS than in plumbing, I guarantee you.

I won't send my resume blindly, and I don't recommend that anybody else do

it. But if you do and bad things happen, then go whine to somebody besides me.

Have a nice day.

Gene (not your lawyer) Gandy

> Sorry, Gene, but you are off base with your advice below. There are many

> reasons - legitimate ones - for a company to place a confidential ad. In just

> the EMS field, for instance, there are eight ads in today's Houston

> Chronicle - five of which are placed as " Confidential " ads. That's normal

business

> practice in many fields, and by many companies - small and large.

>

> The list of information that you think should be in an ad looks more

> appropriate in a merger discussion. Business form? Nationality of

ownership?

> What does that have to do with " identity theft " problems? And what does it

> have to do with an employment situation (unless you are planning to run a

> hostile takeover from inside)?

>

> Similarly, a discussion of salary and benefits is more appropriate in an

> interview than in an ad. A person's salary in non-governmental position would

> appear to fall under privacy constraints - in other words, it's none of the

> public's business. It is between employer and employee.

>

> If someone is interested enough in the position to make an original

> contact, then asking for some of that information may be appropriate. Due

> diligence is called for in any employment situation, but there is a limit to

what

> that phrase covers.

>

> Being cautious is one thing; being paranoid is another.

>

> wegandy1938@... wrote:

> Folks, you need to think before you send your resumes to blind email

> addresses. Lately there have been a bunch of " job offers " asking interested

> applicants to send resumes to this email address or that.

>

> As you may or may not know, identity theft is rampant. The information sent

> in a resume can give a crook a great start in developing an identity theft

> using you as the victim.

>

> Any company that wants to advertise positions available should, at the

> minimum, send the following information.

>

> Name of company, business form (sole proprietor, partnership, LLC,

> corporation) and ownership

> Address of company

> Telephone number of company

> Name of hiring contact

> Salary and benefits offered

> Whether or not the company is a Texas licensed EMS provider

> Whether or not the company is U. S. owned.

>

> There are many, many EMS firms now, particularly in Dallas and Houston, that

> are owned by foreign nationals.

>

> Before sending resume, check with the DSHS to see if it is a licensed EMS

> provider and whether or not there are any pending complaints against it.

>

> Check with the Secretary of State to see if it's in good standing, and also

> check there for liens against it for unpaid wages.

>

> Compare a company's " advertisement " with those that are put out by reputable

> companies such as AMR, R/M, ETMC, Champion, Acadian, and by governmental

> entities. Those are models to go by.

>

> Don't ever send a resume to a blind email address.

>

> Gene Gandy, JD, LP

>

May 21, 2006

, you're a wise lady!

Gene

>

> > Sorry, Gene, but you are off base with your advice

> > below.

>

> I disagree.

>

> > There are many reasons - legitimate ones -

> > for a company to place a confidential ad.

>

> Name one that applies to a firm soliciting employees.

>

> > The list of information that you think should be in

> > an ad

>

> I didn't read Gene's message that way. I read it to

> mean anyone applying for the job should request at

> least that level of information.

>

> > Nationality of ownership? What does that have to

> > do with " identity theft " problems?

>

> FBI statistics confirm that Nigeria alone accounts for

> somewhere near 40% of all internet fraud. I would

> think the nationality of the person who has access to

> my personal financial information would be very

> important information.

>

> > Similarly, a discussion of salary and benefits is

> > more appropriate in an interview than in an ad.

>

> Perhaps the specifics, but I would think a salary

> range and general description of benefits would be

> appropriate.

>

> > Due diligence is called for in any employment

> > situation, but there is a limit to what that phrase

> > covers. Being cautious is one thing; being paranoid

> > is another.

>

> because of the current width and breadth of electronic

> fraud, identity theft, and general corruption in

> today's electronic society, I personally think there

> is no limit to the amount of " due diligence " one must

> pursue. If you wish to publish your SSN for all to

> see, be my guest. But I think Mr. Gandy is right on

> the mark.

>

> --

>

> __________________________________________________

>

May 21, 2006

Sorry, Gene, but you are off base with your advice below. There are many

reasons - legitimate ones - for a company to place a confidential ad. In just

the EMS field, for instance, there are eight ads in today's Houston Chronicle -

five of which are placed as " Confidential " ads. That's normal business practice

in many fields, and by many companies - small and large.

The list of information that you think should be in an ad looks more

appropriate in a merger discussion. Business form? Nationality of ownership?

What does that have to do with " identity theft " problems? And what does it

have to do with an employment situation (unless you are planning to run a

hostile takeover from inside)?

Similarly, a discussion of salary and benefits is more appropriate in an

interview than in an ad. A person's salary in non-governmental position would

appear to fall under privacy constraints - in other words, it's none of the

public's business. It is between employer and employee.

If someone is interested enough in the position to make an original contact,

then asking for some of that information may be appropriate. Due diligence is

called for in any employment situation, but there is a limit to what that phrase

covers.

Being cautious is one thing; being paranoid is another.

wegandy1938@... wrote:

Folks, you need to think before you send your resumes to blind email

addresses. Lately there have been a bunch of " job offers " asking interested

applicants to send resumes to this email address or that.

As you may or may not know, identity theft is rampant. The information sent

in a resume can give a crook a great start in developing an identity theft

using you as the victim.

Any company that wants to advertise positions available should, at the

minimum, send the following information.

Name of company, business form (sole proprietor, partnership, LLC,

corporation) and ownership

Address of company

Telephone number of company

Name of hiring contact

Salary and benefits offered

Whether or not the company is a Texas licensed EMS provider

Whether or not the company is U. S. owned.

There are many, many EMS firms now, particularly in Dallas and Houston, that

are owned by foreign nationals.

Before sending resume, check with the DSHS to see if it is a licensed EMS

provider and whether or not there are any pending complaints against it.

Check with the Secretary of State to see if it's in good standing, and also

check there for liens against it for unpaid wages.

Compare a company's " advertisement " with those that are put out by reputable

companies such as AMR, R/M, ETMC, Champion, Acadian, and by governmental

entities. Those are models to go by.

Don't ever send a resume to a blind email address.

Gene Gandy, JD, LP

May 21, 2006

> Sorry, Gene, but you are off base with your advice

> below.

I disagree.

> There are many reasons - legitimate ones -

> for a company to place a confidential ad.

Name one that applies to a firm soliciting employees.

> The list of information that you think should be in

> an ad

I didn't read Gene's message that way. I read it to

mean anyone applying for the job should request at

least that level of information.

> Nationality of ownership? What does that have to

> do with " identity theft " problems?

FBI statistics confirm that Nigeria alone accounts for

somewhere near 40% of all internet fraud. I would

think the nationality of the person who has access to

my personal financial information would be very

important information.

> Similarly, a discussion of salary and benefits is

> more appropriate in an interview than in an ad.

Perhaps the specifics, but I would think a salary

range and general description of benefits would be

appropriate.

> Due diligence is called for in any employment

> situation, but there is a limit to what that phrase

> covers. Being cautious is one thing; being paranoid

> is another.

because of the current width and breadth of electronic

fraud, identity theft, and general corruption in

today's electronic society, I personally think there

is no limit to the amount of " due diligence " one must

pursue. If you wish to publish your SSN for all to

see, be my guest. But I think Mr. Gandy is right on

the mark.

--

__________________________________________________

May 21, 2006

Actually my advice to anyone is look for an employer

with a good reputation of paying its employees.

Thanks to the Texas AG, not paying employees is a form

of fraud and is now being investigated by TDSHS

whenever a complaint is filed. Unfrotunately in our

field too many medics want a piece of the pie and are

opening their own companies with very little money. I

know of one friend who already is on his third company

and he is barely getting by. And unfortunately TDSHS

is not making it any harder for these people to open.

The state ought to look at other states that charge

$5,000-$10,000 as start up fees and then drop to

$500-$1000 to relicense. Maybe they shouldnow require

that these owners be bonded. After 9 years in the

field I will start working for AMR. Here in the

Valley, like in Dallas, Houston, San , there

are just way too many services opening and not enough

oversight by the state, at least that is the problem

for the Valley. One rep for about 40-50 serivces, do

the math. I have seen too many providers running with

no protocol books, expired meds, etc. Unfortunately

it is hard to bite the hand that feeds you. Identity

theft is rampant and is only getting worst. I think

what Gene is stating is something that should be

requested if you continue to choose to work for these

" mom & pop " services. My experience now is that alot

of services want to squeeze the juice out of you like

a lime at a bar, and pay below par. However

unfortunately the gov't is not paying out alot and

they have no choice but to do more with what little

they have. A catch-22.

Salvador Capuchino Jr

EMT-P

> > Sorry, Gene, but you are off base with your

> advice

> > > below.

> >

> > I disagree.

> >

> > > There are many reasons - legitimate ones -

> > > for a company to place a confidential ad.

> >

> > Name one that applies to a firm soliciting

> employees.

> >

> > > The list of information that you think should be

> in

> > > an ad

> >

> > I didn't read Gene's message that way. I read it

> to

> > mean anyone applying for the job should request at

> > least that level of information.

> >

> > > Nationality of ownership? What does that have

> to

> > > do with " identity theft " problems?

> >

> > FBI statistics confirm that Nigeria alone accounts

> for

> > somewhere near 40% of all internet fraud. I would

> > think the nationality of the person who has access

> to

> > my personal financial information would be very

> > important information.

> >

> > > Similarly, a discussion of salary and benefits

> is

> > > more appropriate in an interview than in an ad.

> >

> > Perhaps the specifics, but I would think a salary

> > range and general description of benefits would be

> > appropriate.

> >

> > > Due diligence is called for in any employment

> > > situation, but there is a limit to what that

> phrase

> > > covers. Being cautious is one thing; being

> paranoid

> > > is another.

> >

> > because of the current width and breadth of

> electronic

> > fraud, identity theft, and general corruption in

> > today's electronic society, I personally think

> there

> > is no limit to the amount of " due diligence " one

> must

> > pursue. If you wish to publish your SSN for all to

> > see, be my guest. But I think Mr. Gandy is right

> on

> > the mark.

> >

> > --

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

May 22, 2006

I have to agree here. What is wrong with giving a little info about

the company, certification and job requirements, salary range, and

benifits that the employee can expect? That way a prospective

employee will know if he/she qualifies and would be willing to take

on the job and go through the application process. It would benefit

the employer since they would only get replies from folks that are

really interested and qualified instead of having to send out a ton

of replies asking the same questions. Might take a little more time

in the initial job posting, but it would save a lot of time later on.

Just my opinion for what it's worth.

Joe

> >

> > > Sorry, Gene, but you are off base with your advice

> > > below.

> >

> > I disagree.

> >

> > > There are many reasons - legitimate ones -

> > > for a company to place a confidential ad.

> >

> > Name one that applies to a firm soliciting employees.

> >

> > > The list of information that you think should be in

> > > an ad

> >

> > I didn't read Gene's message that way. I read it to

> > mean anyone applying for the job should request at

> > least that level of information.

> >

> > > Nationality of ownership? What does that have to

> > > do with " identity theft " problems?

> >

> > FBI statistics confirm that Nigeria alone accounts for

> > somewhere near 40% of all internet fraud. I would

> > think the nationality of the person who has access to

> > my personal financial information would be very

> > important information.

> >

> > > Similarly, a discussion of salary and benefits is

> > > more appropriate in an interview than in an ad.

> >

> > Perhaps the specifics, but I would think a salary

> > range and general description of benefits would be

> > appropriate.

> >

> > > Due diligence is called for in any employment

> > > situation, but there is a limit to what that phrase

> > > covers. Being cautious is one thing; being paranoid

> > > is another.

> >

> > because of the current width and breadth of electronic

> > fraud, identity theft, and general corruption in

> > today's electronic society, I personally think there

> > is no limit to the amount of " due diligence " one must

> > pursue. If you wish to publish your SSN for all to

> > see, be my guest. But I think Mr. Gandy is right on

> > the mark.

> >

> > --

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

May 22, 2006

I gotta go with Gene on this one.

What's wrong with knowing a little bit about who you're applying to

BEFORE you actually apply? In this age of " fly-by-night " EMS and ID

theft, it is just plain good sense to be absolutely certain of who

and what you are dealing with.

I've been in this field for nearly 26 years, and I've seen some

pretty low-down, cur-dog ugly, sneak-thief service owners in my

day. I've ALWAYS been careful about where I hang my hat, but in

this age of electronic identity theft, I've really gotten careful.

Case in point: A good friend from High School is a line officer for

the Philadelphia Fire Department. His youngest by is in college

(pre-med), and has been a vollie EMT for the rescue squad where they

live (in the Philly suburbs). He was wanting a part-time job (but

not flipping burgers), and saw an ad for part-time EMT's and sent

his resume to the email address in the ad. He never heard back from

them, but three months later he had bill collectors pounding down

his dorm room door. As was said in a prior post, the whole shooting

match went back to Nigeria or Swaziland or some other such country

untouchable by our legal system. It took him the rest of his first

two semesters to fix the problem.

Case number 2: I myself worked for a service where my paycheck

bounced (actually everybody's check bounced). My boss told us it

was a " clerical error " , and that our next paychecks would be fine.

Two week later, the IRS shut the company down. The bosses weren't

paying ANY of our taxes, and had pocketed our last two paychecks

to " get outta Dodge " before the " Sheriff " came a callin'. We also

found out they hadn't paid our Worker's Comp insurance since day

one, or even our final health insurance premiums. We were burned.

Extra Krispy.

Being careful is NOT being paranoid, not in this day and age. Would

you get on an airplane with no idea of the track record of the

airline? Would you go to a surgeon without checking him out to the

nth degree first? Would you buy a used car without getting a

mechanic to give it the once over? Would you date a woman without a

health card (just kidding).

With some municipal areas having private ambulance services in the

triple-digit range, wouldn't it be a good idea to known what you're

dealing with BEFORE you put all YOUR eggs in THEIR basket?

I think so.

Barry E. McClung, EMT-P

Field Training Officer

MetroCare Services - Austin L.P.

May 22, 2006

Two words.....Chuck Curtis

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