I am a recent college graduate who has been looking for a career in the Marketing Field and put my resume on Career Builders to help with my search. I was Contacted by HR at Red Zone International and was set up with an interview. At the interview in Hawthorne NY, I was told that Red Zone International was a growing corporation and they were looking for individuals that could grow with the company and later become managers. I was told that I would start as an Account Executive. I immediately asked if this was a sales position and was told no. My title would be a Business Consultant Expert and I would be meeting with Clients to help improve their business. Among meeting with clients there would be office duties as well.
I was told that I would receive a weekly pay check and after one month I could actually move up to a Trainer, where I would run workshops and assist with office duties and Internet Marketing on Social Media Sites. I would also be making more money and recieve benefits, after my second interview I was sold. I figured this would be a great start to my career and a chance to move up with what sounded like a great company that was growing and expanding everyday.
I was hired for their Long Island office which was located in Mineolo, my first day on the job I got to the address and suite number I was given, I thought it was a little weird that the company name on the office door was "Long Island Acquistions" and the office looked pretty empty, but they said they had just moved in to this location so I didn't think too much about it.
I was given paper work to fill out and then I was to attend a morning meeting. On the paper work I read something about a shadow period and only being paid based on Commision, I immediately asked the manager what that meant he told me not to worry that they don't do that anymore it was only for when they had first opened the company. I finished the paperwork with an uneasy feeling and went to the meeting. The meeting was not even a meeting it was a pep group or something everyone cheering each other on Clamping and talking about closed accounts and goals for the week. After the meeting I was paired up with a "Team Leader" where she went over sale techniques. At this point I started to realize that this might not be the job I thought it was going to be, but it was the first day I had to give it a shot.
After about 30 minutes over the "Team Leader" prepping me she told me she had some client appointments and that I would comming with her for the day to observe. We then got into her car and drove to an area in Queens on the ride there she handed me a pitch and had me read it to her out loud over and over again, I asked what this had to do with being a business consultant and she told me that that training would come later. She parked the car and we went into a business where she said she had an appointment, she was greated by a friendly face which seemed to remember her. My "Team Leader" was told the manager was not in and that she should come back after lunch. After that we proceeded in and out of random businesses stated th pitch and trying to sell them a credit card processor (I know nothing about credit card processes, but I was told to just recite a bunch of rates that later after doing some research found out many of these businesses wouldn't even qualify for) At lunch all I was thinking about was when this terribly day will be over. Right after lunch (which was a quick 20 minutes) we again pounded the pavement this time with me being forced to pitch a product I knew nothing about.
Needless to say it was a horrible experience that night I went home and did some research on the company. And found out I was not the only one who had that experience. I also found out that "The Shadow Period", was very much still in effect. They also informed me I would not be receiving a paycheck for two weeks and my salary was based on sales commission only.
I am writing this report to all recent grads and first time career "shoppers". I want to warn you that this company is not a marketing firm but a door to door sales operation. The promises of moving up to management are untrue. Their rhetoric is that of a quick promotion, big money potential environment. However, after just one day I found all these interview promises to be false.
Run from Red Zone Intl. They participate in false advertisement. If you need more info you can view their parent company "Cydor". Best of luck.
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