I applied using a CV on totaljobs on a Sunday evening at around 10pm. I then received an email the next day at midday saying I had been successful, and that I would receive a call to schedule an interview for the Thursday an 2:00pm. This seemed a little quick considering it was supposedly for a management development scheme. They had talked about being a start-up, and so I thought that maybe that was the reason for the quick turn-around. I obviously researched the company a bit more, looking at he social media links I had been sent in the email. They had less followers than me! While it was active everyday posting links, the lack of involvement and active participation with people on the social media seemed a bit of of a red flag, but the impeccable website seemed more professional. The Facebook wasn't much better, with 125 likes, but no more than a single like on any post. There were Facebook reviews, but they seem fishy, possibly shills.
I went in for the initial interview yesterday, managed to find the building, climbed up the stairs and opened the double doors to find two women positioned at their desks. What alarmed me was that the office building was shared with Alpha Gamma Marketing, which I had previously searched about online, and had found out to be a door-to-door company masquerading as a marketing firm. I noticed that the room was quite shabby, poorly decorated. There was also dance music being played through a speaker there.
I promptly arrived at 1:45, and waited around half an hour before going into the office for the interview. It was quite rushed, informal. I expected a lot more. I wasn't asked for references, qualifications, or any of the sort. you'd expect a little more professionalism from a first meeting looking at their impressive, well formatted website online. He asked me what I did in my spare time, and what interested me about the role. He then drew me diagrams of what the company expects to achieve, the training process and how I was expected to be trained to a managerial role in about 8-10 months, which seems a little short. He also discussed a management role without actually knowing what role I had applied for, which leads me to believe that it's the same pitch he gives to everyone there.
I was sure to ask him about what the basic sales process was, and to make sure it wasn't a door-to-door firm like AGM, and he assured me they weren't affiliated. He drew more diagrams, talking about how they did event marketing, going through to events, pitching up a stall, and selling the clients products. I went along with him, thinking it seemed okay. There weren't any other questions, and it all seemed too easy. He then invited for another interview tomorrow, lasting the full day. This again sent alarm bells ringing, as I had read about the scamming, full day interview nature of the Alpha Gamma interviews. I agreed to attend, but am rethinking my decision. II fear it's a commission only role trying to talk to people in the middle of the street and not a legitimate vacancy looking for people to progress to management roles. This type of thing would definitely not be in my wheelhouse, and almost makes it seem like a pyramid scheme, with the mention of self-employed roles for the ambitious.
