I had just graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Management. I was reading the Chicago Tribune Classifieds and came across an ad for "Management Positions." The ad said no experience needed. So I went down for an "interview."
I interviewed with a guy named Artesio. I did find it strange that I was not the only person being interviewed, but a young woman as well. Also, the application he gave me to fill out was very vague.
During the interview I was asked some typical interview questions. But one question he asked was, "Do you have any girlfriends or boyfriends?" OK, I am straight and single but what kind of question is that!? Very unprofessional.
Artesio told me I would get a call later that day to come back for a second interview. When I was called, I was told to go to Elmhurst. This "second interview" consisted of about 40 people.
The regional managers Rob and Rikki, gave us a three hour lecture about the company's history, but gave us no real job description. All they said was that we would be selling designer fragrances; Business-to-business, lot, or individual.
Rob told us over and over that the training would involve "eating shit!" We were told that the first few weeks would involve marketing, after that Training and Evaluation, next Management, and last Administration. We were also told that we would make $200 - $300 per week during training. He also told us that we would make an average of $50,000 to $70,000 in the first year of running an office After this long lecture, almost everyone was offered a "job."
When I went into the Aurora office on Monday for "orientation, " there were about 11 other people there. We were just told more of the same BS. We did learn a little about the product but they never told us it was imitation cologne and perfume.
We were told how much to charge, to sell them as designer fragrances and at the end they proposed a "friendly competition." This was to sell to our familiy and friends.
We were told that the person who sold the most would be given $750. Second and third most sales were offered $250, and it went down to $100 to the person who came in last. That night, I busted by a* and sold 9 bottles, only to go back the next day and get nothing.
Artesio told me that it was great that I sold the most and I would get an "automatic promotion" but in order to get the cash reward, the group of 11 (which was now a group of 5) had to sell 174 bottles. That's 13 bottles per person and an unreachable goal! He then told me that the person who sold the most within the next two days would get to pick from a cash prize box.
Although I was pissed, I stuck it out for the rest of that day. After 3 hours of more of the same BS lecture, I was ready for field training. I went with a "manager trainee" whom I ended up having to drive to Naperville.
We ended up trying to sell cologne to people in parking lots outside of stores as well as going into stores trying to sell to employees.
Even when there was a "No Solicitation" sign I was told to pitch people inside anyway.
After spending the rest of day outside in the cold degrading myself, I went back to the office got my product to deliver to my 9 customers and never went back again.
That night my sister found this site and told me about it. When I learned that you pay for everything once you get an office.
It seems to me that Scentura/Suburban Design/whatever their name is that month is right on the borderline of criminal. Why can't the government step in? They should at least be straightforward and tell you what the job entails, but they threatened us with termination for asking any questions.
As I continue my job search, I have come across other deceptive employment ads placed by this company and laughed my ass off.
Noah
Dekalb, Illinois
U.S.A.
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