I answered an ad in Career builder for 5th Dimension. I received a very nice email back stating that they had the following positions open, and would love to interview me.
Event Marketing Assistant, Manager Assistant, Customer Service, Event Coordinator and Public Relations
I went in for the 1st interview which lasted for all of 10 minutes (after waiting in the lobby for 45 minutes). I was jazzed about the position however. Event coordination is right up my alley, and the fact that they are raising money for charities such as DARE and CPEA, WOW! What more could a girl ask for.
I was called back for a 2nd interview the following day. This would be an on the job training type interview, to see if I was really interested in the position. Cool... I can deal with that, after all it is a cause I really believe in. Well folks, that is the end of the happy story.
I am asked to ride to the "event" with my interviewer and the new hire she was training. On the way there, I begin asking questions about the company. What kind of "event" are we going to. No answer, rather questions. "What is the difference between direct marketing and indirect marketing". I answer, and my answer is met with approval and more information about all the fundraising activities they do, and the partnerships they have with Disney, Warner Bros. Etc.
I'm so excited about their work, and so engaged with talking to my interviewer, I forget to pay attention to where we are going. We get there, and the first thing that happens is I am given a book to review while they "set-up". Oh, by the way, I have learned we will be doing direct marketing outside of a Lucky store in the "Cambrian district".
I step inside the Lucky and sit in the Starbucks area reading the information and taking notes. After all, I have been told to ask lots of questions, and based on the quality of my questions, it will determine whether or not I get the informative lunch interview.
I read the information, which is mostly about how other companies are laying off etc. The information that is included about the parent company "Innovage", makes it quite clear that the goal is for this to become a MLM with many branch companies underneath. Red flag #1.
I finish reading the information and return to the table outside. The nifty little trainer lady tells me to just watch what they are doing. Next thing I know she is quizzing me on the 5 steps she is completing. Ok... I'm watching, I tell her step #1 is to engage. "No, it is to introduce yourself". Duh... Engaging someone basically means that you are getting someones attention by introducing yourself.
Anyway... As the morning drags on, I notice that they are offering the items to people for different prices. I ask about it, and am given the whole story about margins etc... Red Flag #2. Ok, usually you try to get full price, then allow people to bargain with you.
So finally I get to start asking my questions. My question #1 - How much out of what you collect, actually goes back to charity. Answer - 5%. My jaw must have dropped because she didn't miss a beat when telling me how much they raise and that it doesn't matter that they only give back 5% because they still raised $3M dollars. Hmmmm... BIG RED FLAG.
Then a lady comes out of the store and basically rips us a new one and explains about recent scams in the area that are only giving 10% back to the charities. WOW I think to myself, that is double what we are giving back.
I spent about 10 more minutes watching and mulling over all my new facts and told my interviewer this job was not for me. She was cordial, and said that is why they do the interview that way. She told me I now have 3 options. 1. Call a friend to come get me. 2. Take a taxi home at my own expense. 3. Hang out with them for the day and she would give me a ride back to my car.
I said I would find my own way home. My original intention was to simply walk as I had left my cell phone at home and didn't have any phone numbers with me. I walked for about 5 minutes before realizing, I didn't know where the hell I was or how to get home. I walked to a corner to find street signs, found a phone a called my friend.
My poor friend probably thought I had been raped or something as all that came out was "Will you please come and get me I am stranded. I don't have my phone or my car, this is where I am, I'll explain when you get here".
Luckily she got there fairly quickly and I soon recovered from my stranding.
NEVER EVER let your interviewer take you in their car to some unknown destination. If the won't allow you to follow them, run on home and thank your lucky stars.
5% back to the charity is not nearly enough in my book and it is my sincere hope that someone will look into this SCAM of a company.
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