Guys, something on the consultants !!!!
We use a consultant to be doubly sure of our application, I agree. But too much dependence on a consultant is also not good. All consultants are not bad, BTW. There are a few good consultants as well. Also it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that his application is correctly filled. Definitely can't leave it to the consultant. A consultant has nothing to lose except a client and maybe 2-3 more due to negative word of mouth publicity by the applicant who has suffered. But the applicant suffers irrepairable damage at times.
As an applicant, we need to ensure that we know more than what the consultant knows. Pls refer to CIC website..Saying this again and again. We on this forum can also provide help, but self help is the best help and will also help improve knowledge on the subject. After going through the site thoroughly, I would suggest fill the forms without asking the consultants or on this forum. Then take a second opinion from your consultant and a third one from this forum. That's what consultants and this forum is for.
Don't expect consultant to spoon feed you. By doing this, you will risk your own careers and if something goes wrong, you will blame the consultant. Always know more than the consultant so that whenever you feel he is doing something wrong, you can whack his a$$ and ensure right course of action at all times.
Having said this, the consultant may still goof up, (like my consultant gave me wrong courier docket no for Halifax for DAL univ instead of CIO Sydney), but then you can take his case and not get fooled by him, provided you have the requisite knowledge. Treat them the way they are...If they are very knowledgeable, give them the due respect and if they are less knowledgeable, treat them like a learning kid, whacking them when necessary and praising them if they suggest something good. No point in blaming them. You may get them blacklisted, (that needs to be done anyways for bad consultants) but it does not solve your problem, right?
So always ensure to take full responsibility for your applications, with or without a consultant. Its your career at stake, not theirs.