After recently moving back to Colorado and placing my resume on Careerbuilder.com and Monster.com I fairly quickly received a response from Endeavor Marketing outlining a possible open position in 'event based' marketing. Being that I was looking for a marketing position I quickly responded with high hopes. Like many people have stated the initial email instructs potential applicants to contact James Taylor, who in fact does not exist. My first interview was semi-typical besides the fact that there were 5-10 other people in the small office all applying for the same position. Anyone who has sat down with Amanda Slate knows that she lays out a pretty nice picture for anyone looking for a decent paying job. At the conclusion of my interview Amanda proceeded to tell me that if they were interested that I would be receiving a all back later that evening but advised me that they were only looking to hire 1-2 people out of the 50 that they had interviewed that week.
I anxiously waited for the phone call that evening and even went out a purchased a new suit to be prepared for the full day interview that was to follow. Sure enough I received a phone call and was scheduled to come in the following day to see what the job was all about.in my mind none of this seemed very sketchy up to this point. As before mentioned by many others me and my future team leader along with a newly hired rookie were assigned to a local store where we spent the entire day attempting to sell books, paints, emergency guides and coffee sets to anyone and everyone who entered and exited the store.
Despite the fact I didn't particulary enjoy this task I was infatuated with the fact that we were doing all of this to help out the DARE America program. At the conclusion of the day we went back to the office where Amanda formally offered me the job. She told me that it would be 5 days a week with an optional Saturday and that the potential to grow in management was great.
I worked for the company for a couple of weeks before I began to realize the truth behind Endeavor. The hours were crazy especially for anyone who desired to have any life outside of work. 8-6 Monday-Friday plus a mandatory Saturday 9-5 for anyone wanting to be promoted. Every Wednesday we were encouraged to stay after work for 'Team Night' and every Thursday for 'Opportunity Meetings'. Unlike those before me I won't say that Endeavor Marketing is necessarily as scam but I will say it is important to know that a job with Endeavor means that you will be persuaded to live to work rather then work to live. There are people in the company who are making decent salaries but thse people have had to sacrfice there life to get there. Is a large salary really worth it if you never have the time to spend it?
Despite the many promises of promotion to leadership I never was granted such a position, there always seemed to be one more thing I needed to do to earn my extra 3% commission. Knowing numerous leaders who have since quit I have found that leadership only requires a larger time committment (as if possible). The average leader is putting in 70 hours a week to receive a less then desired wage. And the terrible turnover rate? Managers would argue that it's because many people can't handle the hard work which accompanies the huge opportunity but I argue it is because of the nearly impossible commitment that they require of their employees.in the end I realized how miserable working for Endeavor made me. I despised working 6 days a week and could never see myself persuading people to do the same as an owner. As sad as it is say Endeavor is guilty of brainwashing many great people into working ridiculous hours selling sub-par products for dying charities. A large number of the employees who I had the opportunity to work with are capable of much better careers.
Please don't fall into the same trap that so many others have. Despite the many golden promises Endeavor offers they are no where near worth what you have to give. I strongly urge you to seach else where for your next career move.
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