The Top Gun Executive Group Top Echelon Network of recruiters A job search firm that doesn't live up to its description or its title using the funnel effect. The only funnel effect is for your retained monies to be sent into their pockets never to be returned. Houston , Texas

They finally caught up to him. Assets frozen and business shut down. 

Top Gun Headhunter is for all intents and observations: a fraud!

I paid them several thousand dollars for a service that resulted in one dubious interview, and no further results at all!  I possess a doctorate in a practical field and 20 years of VVIP level business experience.  I have used non-paying services that have produced much more satisfying, real results.

Again: stay away!!!

As suggested in the #2 response, I went to the Houston BBB, and found that 2 years & 5 months later, the information was little different.  Here is the web link for those that are interested: http://www.bbb.org/houston/Business-Reviews/executive-search-consultants/the-top-gun-executive-group-in-houston-tx-22009166/Complaints#breakdown.  It says that 6 complaints were recieved over the last 3 years.  2 in 2009, 2 in 2010, 0 in 2011, and 2 in 2012.  It also says the Rating is now a "B".  Of the 6 complaints 2 were resolved (JAN10 & JUL09), 2 were unresolved despite BBB efforts because the customers were just not satisfied (MAR10 & DEC09), and 2  this year that are unresolved (JAN12 & MAR12).  BBB Overview: "BBB files indicate that in past years a small number of complaints were lodged against the company but do not indicate a pattern.  The majority of complaints came from client candidates that had not located a new position.  They were requesting a refund of their non-refundable retainer they paid to FUND the companys service.  The consumer complaints alleged that The Top Gun Executive Group charged the retainer but did not perform". 

The economy is bad right now and finding a job is nearly impossible for anyone, and if you are over fifty it is especially tough. If you are over fifty and have recently lost your job you know what I mean. But you can't give up, but you will definitely have to work hard and open your mind to new possibilities in a changing world. Consider it a Midlife career change.

I'm sure that everyone at one time or the other has dreamed about their ideal job. I know I have. The definition of an ideal job is certainly different from one person to the other. Some folks like to interact with other people all day, or maybe you want to be contributing to society and those less fortunate, while others might want to be their own boss. What is stopping you and me?

There are always excuses that stop us from doing what we want to do.

I am too old to start anything new. While it is true that it might be a little more difficult to follow your dreams when you are older, it still shouldn't stop you. Late bloomers make the news all the time for
doing things that are usually considered reserved for older folks. You could be one of those late bloomers. There are too many things at risk to make a leap into something completely different. Well, you don't have to quit your job today and start looking for your dream job tomorrow. That would be risky. Take your time, do your research and then see if you do your dream job part time. There is no risk in that. I have to pay the bills. This is one of the risks that you don't want to take. What if I don't like my dream job? That certainly is a possibility but you have to be willing to take that chance. You don't want to go through your whole life wondering if you should have tried to do something different. Will I have my family's support? You need to discuss it with them and tell them how important it is to you. I bet they wouldn't have any objections.

If you are unemployed and over fifty, or even unemployed and over any age that people consider old, you may think that your age is a downside to your employment search. With age discrimination alive and well and continued myths of older workers still thriving, it is hard to believe that you can make your age an asset.

Experience comes with age, not only in knowing the details of a job but older workers also have life experience, or things that you learn as you grow older. The accumulation of knowledge of a lifetime can be a benefit to any job. Stability can be an important attribute of any employee of any age. Stability is often associated with older workers One common myth about older workers is the unwillingness to learn new things. Point out the fact that over the years you have continually
learned new skills without objection. Maturity in handling problems and handling difficult people can definitely be an asset.

You would think that going back to school is always the thing to do and most of time it is. Problems occur when folks, older folks especially, jump into going back to school without giving it any fore thought. Are you going back to get a degree in the hottest industry or maybe you are  looking to see where it would take the least amount of time and money to get the skills you need. Both are bad reasons if they are the only reason that you arre going back to school. Remember that some of the hottest fields today might not be the best field in the future, and whatif you don't enjoy that particular type of work. Take time to make yourdecisions, don't jump into anything without a lot of research.

I hope that helps in your search, goodluck!

Anonymous because its better to stay anonymous.

I am not sure what you are expecting in the job market today. I have been trying to find a job for a long time myself and trust me its not that easy. In the past 3 years I have worked with atleast 7 agencies and no one has been able to find me something and I paid them all. I was mad at first too but I quickly realized that the most people do better in the labor market by finding openings that are designated as private, positions that are becoming available, or positions that could be created. These types of opportunities can be found using a strategy that combines networking, consulting, industry / professional associations, research firms and the Internet. The rewards are great for the hunter who can find job openings these private because you virtually eliminate competition and learn to interact with most makers. Very often, you contributed to the writing of your new job description and you have much more leverage when negotiating a compensation package.

For most job seekers, ads seem to represent the largest source of employment opportunities available. The reality is quite different. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that only a very small percentage (10 percent) of positions of managers and professionals are filled with advertisements in newspapers and other publications or the Internet. Why? Newspaper advertising is extremely expensive. An ad medium in most local newspapers costs hundreds of dollars. A similar advert in the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal would cost thousands! Most employers prefer to avoid these fees. Given the turnover in most companies, the cost of advertising for every available opening would be prohibitive. Why respond to ads the most unproductive for job seekers?
Essentially, this is a numbers game. In many cases, ads will generate hundreds of responses, but all but one candidate will be rejected. If there is one candidate who has a basis of experience directly transferable more than you, he / she will win.

Over twenty million Americans will try to find a new job or change jobs, industry or career over the next year. Many others try to start or buy a business. They will do in the labor market more competitive in this century. The layoffs in many major industries coupled with higher numbers of post-university and college educated professionals entering the labor market have significantly increased the level of effort required to make a career transition.

Here are some tips for your resume to find you better job.

As a job seeker, your resume is always your sales pitch, highlighting the skills, experience, skills and passion to your potential employer. Seizing the opportunity to stand out from the competition, especially in the middle of making a career change is an important decision and one you should not take lightly. You must have plans and objectives, while developing your resume to ensure that you will be able not only to work in your dream job, but you excel. Key areas of each CV can predict whether your resume will be in the hands of a hiring manager. It is imperative to adapt your resume for theposition you want by paying special attention to your style of CV, the goal of career and personal profile. The layout and style of your resume are as important as the information you include describing your experience and qualifications. As you probably know, the styles of resume are the most common time (the listing of your professional expertise in order) and functional (by value your experience in the type of qualifications you have.) This is usually used by these changing careers, and it is important to create a powerful overview of your skills and how they will be transferred to your new career.

Career goals in a functional resume

Career objective is very important to your resume. Your career objective should contain both a long-term and long-term goal. (For example, a short-term goal would be to find a job as junior editor while long-term goal is to advance your skills and develop a comprehensive portfolio in a professional marketing company large.) Including a statement of purpose shows that you have given your professional growth some serious thought and your career objective aligns with your employer

Your goals and career objective resume strategies for your career can lead to employers that are in line with your skills and abilities. Employers are interested in people who are constantly seeking to improve not only themselves, but their professional skills. Thats why you want to keep career development first and foremost in your mind at all times when writing your CV.
Professional profile in a functional resume A professional profile sells your expertise to a potential employer, explaining why you are the best and only candidate for the job. This section explicitly gives you the chance to stand out and give your employer a glimpse of you as a jobseeker and a professional. Do not underestimate the power of good writing and do not make the mistake of including personal information. Only information about your qualifications and information about your affiliations as a professional company.

Your expertise, underlined with both your education, work history andyour skills will give you a good first impression to your employer. Be sure to read the full CV, with a focus in this article, as it appears at the beginning of your resume. Professional instruction effectively allowed the impression to potential employers that you are confident andcredible, which also makes you the challenges ahead.

Remember that career change is a process

Make a real career development career it is an ongoing process because it also includes learning about the job requirements, some additional training, and is still working to make yourself the best you can be in your new career. Because the change industries and technologies change, you can add new classes by taking continuing education credits or attend some seminars in your new career field to show your interest and dedication to the changes you want to do. Acquiring new skills is not working in your favor, and once you land an interview, you will still want to be excited about the proper training for the career you have chosen, leaving your new employer know that you have taken so long and short term goals for your career.

Not good

Please call Mike Kapel, the President of Top Echelon Network. They are located in Canton, OH.  If what your saying is true, the company that you're having trouble with is a member of the Top Echelon Recruiting Network and they will be taken off the network immediately. Mike has built this network from scratch and will not put up with ANY unethical behavior by the membership. Best of luck to you in your job search.

Look at the BBB of Houston web site where many complaints have been filed against this company - 6 in the past year alone, still unresolved.  They have a D- minus rating according to the BBB, but don't take my word look for yourself. 

Mr. Bjorn Johnson on June 1, 2009 signed a six-month agreement with The Top Gun Executive Group (Firm) for assistance in performing his job search.  The agreement ended November 30, 2009, 2 1/2 months ago.  During the duration of the agreement NO objections were raised or dissatisfactions were expressed to management of the Firm.  This non-communication precluded any corrective action, by management relative to his objections now provided 2 1/2 months AFTER agreement closure.

The Firm's records show that the Account Executive in charge of Mr. Johnson's project identified, through research and involvement 31 open positions for which Mr. Johnson was possibly qualified.  His credentials were presented on each and every one he was actually qualified for but did not receive good reception by the respective hiring authorities.  We guarantee to do this but can not guarantee anything we have no control over for instance, an interview or a job offer.  This does not reflect poorly on his abilities, it is just a matter of today's job market where hiring authorities receive 6.4 qualified applicants, on average for any one senior executive position posted.  Competition today is very high.

So, the bottom-line response to Mr. Johnson's complaint is that there will be NO refund of the NON-REFUNDABLE retainer he paid to FUND his six month job search. This was explain in detail before we accepted him into the program and agreed to by Mr. Johnson the day he signed his agreement.

We certainly appreciate Mr. Johnson's frustration and disappointment but in fairness to many other clienteles the Firm cannot take adequate "corrective" action AFTER the fact and without prior understanding of the dissatisfactions he now presents.

We wish Mr. Johnson the best for the future and we are willing to continue to work for him, on a LIMITED basis on into the future as we do with all our clients once their funnel (pipeline) has been build and in place.