When I saw the ad from Strategic Marketing Group on careerbuilder.com, I thought it was a perfect opportunity for a seasoned marketing professional. After all, they wanted a manger. So I made the nearly 2-hour round trip drive to their Greensboro office.
Upon entering the company offices, I immediately became suspicious as there were two other people waiting for the same interview. Rap music was blaring in the background. Then the receptionist gave me a form to fill out and it had True Solutions, Inc. At the top - not the Strategic Marketing Group name. I approached her to ascertain if I had the correct place. She said the companies were the same. So off I went to complete this "employment" form that was - at best - laughable.
The first lady went in and was out in 5 minutes - another red flag popped up. The second lady went in and was out in 10 minutes. She laughed as she walked by me and said good luck. Big time red flag is waving and jumping up and down with "Sucker" playing in the background.
Then it was my turn. Phil Trueblood was the interviewer and he gave me this song and dance about ATT, Cingular, and Bell South being their clients. He even went so far as to tell me that his company had increased ATT's revenue last years by $95Million. Impressive, huh? He laid it on thick and then told me he would be contacting qualified applicants for the second phase of the interview that same evening.
I did not receive a call and am now grateful after finding the postings here. They had my resume and knew that I was a professional earning in excess of $60K per year. So why did they contact me? Why did they waste my valuable time? Why put me through the stressful interview process when they knew they would never follow through? Couldn't they have at least been punctual and interviewed me at the appointed time?
I now have serious doubts that this company has performed for ATT the way they are representing. And does ATT really want their name associated with a company that is deceptive - at best? Better question, does either of these clients really want to do business with them?
And what should one think about a company this is producing $95Million for a client in a year and yet uses a Yahoo email address?
It is sad that people like this are allowed to misrepresent "employment" opportunties and deceive the public. My best advice, RUN - do not walk when you hear the names Strategic Marketing Group and True Solutions, Inc.
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