Getting a Job

[kennethnakasone]

So, I interviewed for a job earlier today, and the whole process raised a few flags for me. Maybe I'm being paranoid (well, not maybe. I am being paranoid). Could I get some advice?

 

Long Story:

First of all, I live in California.

 

I found a listing on Craigslist for an "entry-level position in customer support", and set up an interview, which was just a few hours ago. At this point, I didn't know the name of the business, or what the job actually entailed, so shame on me. When I went in for the interview, I learned that the company is a distributor for a certain brand of Made-In-the-US vacuum cleaners. I can see how it could be spun as "Customer Support"...? Well not really.

 

I was late for the interview (by about 2 minutes, but late it late), yet the man interviewing me didn't seem to think much of it. I also locked up after a few questions, and he seemed to be okay with it. I appreciated his leniency, but since i was told to dress professionally, this isn't right is it? Also, I was surprised that he was the one to mention salary. I had the impression that it was one of those things that you don't touch on during the first interview (or not deeply, anyway). I was told I would be called back later in the day to ask a few more questions.

 

While I was waiting for the phone call at home, I came across a few things:

- The incorporation date of this company (the distributor) was in April of last year. They've been in business for just over a year(...but a business has got to start somewhere right?).

- On Ripoff Report, there's a comment from September of this year, which mentions a position and application process that almost perfectly match mine. This comment was not updated with any good/bad news so....(well it IS Ripoff Report) I'm skeptical.

- The manufacturer of the vacuum cleaners seems to purely use distributors, rather than directly selling their products themselves. While most of the time, the distributors use commission-based pay, this job opening specifically mentions a base pay (which I clarified during the follow up call. Also, there are no quotas. Anything I missed, or am I going to be working for free?).

 

So, just about an hour ago I got off the phone with the person who interviewed me and was told there would be an orientation tomorrow, at which I could ask more questions and see if I fit the position. Again, despite mentioning that there would be questions during the follow-up call, he never did ask any. Red flag.

 

In spite of all of this, there are plenty of comments on other websites calling this (well these kinds of businesses) as legitimate, and that the people calling it a scam are being ridiculous (which in all honesty, they are). The products themselves are very well praised, and most of the negative feedback from this system is directed at the distributors. 

 

Either way, I'm currently googling ways to decline the job after the orientation. Y'know, just in-case.

 

tl;dr:

I went to a job interview, came home and did some background research (since the advertisement didn't have the name of the business or anything), got unsettled by all of the scam warnings online, calmed down, got unsettled again, and wandered here for some advice.

 

As you can probably tell, I'm not very familiar with these kinds of things (my first job was during High School through parental-connections, so I didn't do an interview or anything. Just job training). Should I take the job? If I'm going to the orientation, I've pretty much got the job anyway.

 

[thekeemo]

ive read too many customer support horror stories o continue going on with this

[kennethnakasone]

This seems like a lot of hassle for an entry level job in customer service. Maybe you should just move on?

 

I assumed that these kinds of things involved a lot of follow-ups, but is this abnormal? As I mentioned, my only other job experience involved me skipping the whole interview process, so all I remember was training for the job for about 2 weeks.

 

I'm definitely leaning towards declining after tomorrow's orientation...but what if I'm just paranoid and it's legit!? 2k a month base-pay!? Plus, I believe the labor board can issue fines if I'm not paid (looking further into this right now).

 

ive read too many customer support horror stories o continue going on with this

 

This is the exact same way I reacted after the follow up call (and why I ended up coming here. lol). Sorry for putting you through this (-__-;;

[kennethnakasone]

Well, it depends on your resume and the job you're applying for. From the sounds of the job you're going for, it sounds abnormal to me anyways.

 

I see....I feel better knowing that my paranoia isn't completely unwarranted, so thank you.

[Poohy14]

 

tl;dr:

I went to a job interview, came home and did some background research (since the advertisement didn't have the name of the business or anything), got unsettled by all of the scam warnings online, calmed down, got unsettled again, and wandered here for some advice.

 

 

Didn't read the full story but this little part but maybe it could be a scam to do identity theft. That happened a few time in my area for people and gave them their Social Security number and they never heard anything back from them. I would do research to see if they actually have a business licence or not.

[kennethnakasone]

Didn't read the full story but this little part but maybe it could be a scam to do identity theft. That happened a few time in my area for people and gave them their Social Security number and they never heard anything back from them. I would do research to see if they actually have a business licence or not.

 

Thankfully, I never carry my SSN (well I suppose that's a bad habit, but if you're correct it might've saved me this time). I did hand them a resume with all the typical stuff like name and address though.

 

I was able to find a File Number and Registered Agent, and the manufacturer lists them as an authorized distributor, but I couldn't find anything regarding a license. I'll make sure to keep an eye out for one at tomorrow's orientation as well.

[Poohy14]

Thankfully, I never carry my SSN (well I suppose that's a bad habit, but if you're correct it might've saved me this time). I did hand them a resume with all the typical stuff like name and address though.

 

I was able to find a File Number and Registered Agent, and the manufacturer lists them as an authorized distributor, but I couldn't find anything regarding a license. I'll make sure to keep an eye out for one at tomorrow's orientation as well.

 

I never have my SSN written down, I have it memorized. I know most places have a business licence at the door so you can see it, not sure if its a law or not but my dad has his at the door at the work shop and other businesses I have seen it as well. 

[kennethnakasone]

I never have my SSN written down, I have it memorized. I know most places have a business licence at the door so you can see it, not sure if its a law or not but my dad has his at the door at the work shop and other businesses I have seen it as well. 

 

Wow...I don't think I could remember it even if my life depended on it. 

 

I'll keep an eye out for the license then.

[Leonard]

 

So, I interviewed for a job earlier today, and the whole process raised a few flags for me. Maybe I'm being paranoid (well, not maybe. I am being paranoid). Could I get some advice?

 

Long Story:

First of all, I live in California.

 

I found a listing on Craigslist for an "entry-level position in customer support", and set up an interview, which was just a few hours ago. At this point, I didn't know the name of the business, or what the job actually entailed, so shame on me. When I went in for the interview, I learned that the company is a distributor for a certain brand of Made-In-the-US vacuum cleaners. I can see how it could be spun as "Customer Support"...? Well not really.

 

I was late for the interview (by about 2 minutes, but late it late), yet the man interviewing me didn't seem to think much of it. I also locked up after a few questions, and he seemed to be okay with it. I appreciated his leniency, but since i was told to dress professionally, this isn't right is it? Also, I was surprised that he was the one to mention salary. I had the impression that it was one of those things that you don't touch on during the first interview (or not deeply, anyway). I was told I would be called back later in the day to ask a few more questions.

 

While I was waiting for the phone call at home, I came across a few things:

- The incorporation date of this company (the distributor) was in April of last year. They've been in business for just over a year(...but a business has got to start somewhere right?).

- On Ripoff Report, there's a comment from September of this year, which mentions a position and application process that almost perfectly match mine. This comment was not updated with any good/bad news so....(well it IS Ripoff Report) I'm skeptical.

- The manufacturer of the vacuum cleaners seems to purely use distributors, rather than directly selling their products themselves. While most of the time, the distributors use commission-based pay, this job opening specifically mentions a base pay (which I clarified during the follow up call. Also, there are no quotas. Anything I missed, or am I going to be working for free?).

 

So, just about an hour ago I got off the phone with the person who interviewed me and was told there would be an orientation tomorrow, at which I could ask more questions and see if I fit the position. Again, despite mentioning that there would be questions during the follow-up call, he never did ask any. Red flag.

 

In spite of all of this, there are plenty of comments on other websites calling this (well these kinds of businesses) as legitimate, and that the people calling it a scam are being ridiculous (which in all honesty, they are). The products themselves are very well praised, and most of the negative feedback from this system is directed at the distributors. 

 

Either way, I'm currently googling ways to decline the job after the orientation. Y'know, just in-case.

 

tl;dr:

I went to a job interview, came home and did some background research (since the advertisement didn't have the name of the business or anything), got unsettled by all of the scam warnings online, calmed down, got unsettled again, and wandered here for some advice.

 

As you can probably tell, I'm not very familiar with these kinds of things (my first job was during High School through parental-connections, so I didn't do an interview or anything. Just job training). Should I take the job? If I'm going to the orientation, I've pretty much got the job anyway.

 

I wouldn't have even gone to the interview unless i was in SpecOPS and the CIA came to draft. There has got to be a job at your local grocers why would you go to this. 

[kennethnakasone]

I wouldn't have even gone to the interview unless i was in SpecOPS and the CIA came to draft. There has got to be a job at your local grocers why would you go to this.

Is interviewing in general not a normal thing?

I first considered local places (and this vacuum cleaner sales thing isn't that far away), but I don't have any food-handling licenses (only a basic 1-semester course on Culinary Arts) which I presume would be necessary. Restaurants have that previous experience barrier and....well you get it. This position didn't have an experience requirement so I got drawn to it rather easily.

I'm planning to go around again later this month; hoping that places like Target will start hiring because of end-of-the-year holidays.

[Leonard]

Is interviewing in general not a normal thing?

I first considered local places (and this vacuum cleaner sales thing isn't that far away), but I don't have any food-handling licenses (only a basic 1-semester course on Culinary Arts) which I presume would be necessary. Restaurants have that previous experience barrier and....well you get it. This position didn't have an experience requirement so I got drawn to it rather easily.

I'm planning to go around again later this month; hoping that places like Target will start hiring because of end-of-the-year holidays.

An interview is a general thing but the way they want to conduct the interview is asking for too much IMO. The only things they didn't want is you blood type, the circumference of your butt hole, and if you circumscribed or not and they won't give any information....to hell with them....that can't be good. Is what i meant.