Do not believe it when this company calls you in for an interview. Do not go. Do not waste your time and energy.
I applied through careerbuilder to a marketing company called Silvalining Marketing Concepts. I was excited when I got an email within 24 hours asking me to come in for a preliminary interview. It read as follows:
Congratulations!
After reviewing your resume, we were impressed with your background and have selected you as a candidate for a preliminary interview. At this stage of the interview process, we would like to have you meet face to face with someone from our management team to explain more about our company and the positions currently available. Silvalining Marketing Concepts, Inc. And Associates, with over 18 years experience, located in Savannah, is Georgia's Leader in Event Promotions.
Our 100% promotion from within philosophy offers diverse career opportunities and growth potential. We are searching for the right candidates to fill positions in our management-training program, customer service, reception and administrative assistance. Hands on training will include event promotions, public relations, customer-service and management skills. We are seeking hard-working individuals who enjoy dealing with people and are looking for a rewarding career opportunity.
We are currently hiring in our Savannah, Georgia location. Please contact me at (912) 233-8406 or 8405 to set up a preliminary interview.
Thank you,
Jamie Young
Human Resource Department
Silvalining Marketing Concepts, Inc
So, I went in for the interview. My first tip should have been that there was no sign on the building. Just a logo on the door. How does a marketing company get away with not marketing their own business? Then, I got a 5 minute interview with the receptionist. Of course, I didn't know she was just a receptionist, I thought she was just helping answer phones. And the phones were ringing off the hook with people constantly calling to schedule interviews. At the conclusion of that interview, I was thrilled to receive the news that I should come in for a second interview the very next day.
The second interview was an "out in the field" experience. So, I came in the next morning to find three other girls in the waiting room all in the same boat I was. Hmmm, I thought this was for just one job. However, I convinced myself that there was probably more than one position open considering all the ads I found on craigslist, careerbuiler, monster, and even myspace. We waited in the lobby for them to be done with their morning meeting. It sounded like a pep rally in there. People were hooting and hollering, screaming JUICE! Very weird.
We were split up into two teams and sent to a Wal-Mart half an hour away to sell toys for the D.A.R.E. Program. I knew that DARE was a major client of theirs after reading their website. Ok, no surprise. I'm raising money for D.A.R.E., but then the "leader" (Blanca) I was with sat me and the other girl down to talk business. She was so enthusiastic and excited to tell us about the "opportunity" this company can offer. She was very specific to say that this is not a job, it is an opportunity. Then she gave us notes to write down for the quiz that we had to take when we got back to the office. They were as follows:
Entry Level Marketing (2-4 weeks)
10% of business
out of field
learning
working on ins and outs
Leadership (10-12 weeks)
Build a team
Trainer
Teacher
Learning
Taking out Days of O's (Observation)
Assistant Manager (3-5 Months)
Trainer
Teacher
Leader
Learner
70% in office
30% in field
Manager
Campaign
Banking
Payroll
Merchandise
Events
5 Steps to a Successful Conversation
Introduction
Short Story
Presentation
Close
Rehash
Impulse Factors
-a system proven to build impulse
Laws of Averages
-a system proven to find buyers
Main Forms of Marketing
Television
Radio
Billboards
Then we were informed that after the manager position, this company will allow you to set up your own franchise of the business selling whatever you'd like, wherever you'd like. Hawaii, Tokyo, Italy... At absolutely no start up cost to you. Then you'd be raking in the money. It would only take one year in this company to be able to have your own business. Too good to be true.
Blanca and I got our lunch together and she told me that she really is going to push for me and the other girl to be on her team. She said she could tell a good person when she sees one. This was rather odd to me because the other girl we were with was very nice, but not really participating in selling and only had her high school degree. I have my Master's in Communication and was really getting into selling these toys for DARE. I thought if she was as choosy and intuitive as she claims, she surely wouldn't take this girl.
After standing outside of Wal-Mart pushing these damn toys on people all day, we went back to the office. After the "quiz" Blanca told us that we would have our final interview with the owner, Robin, tonight. Blanca gave me all kinds of pointers when we went over my quiz outside. She told me to ask her about the history of the company, emphasize that I'm interested in the "opportunity" they offer and to smile.
So, I sat down with Robin. She didn't ask me anything about me degrees, being a T.A. For Public Speaking, or an assistant coach for my college debate team. These are all things I would think would be of interest to someone that runs a marketing company.instead she drew me a diagram (pyramid shaped of course) of how I can move up in the company and have my own business in one year. Not to mention the 75,000-200,000 I would potentially be earning. Oh yes, and the cock and bull story she fed me about how the company started. It went something like this:
In the early 1980's, 2 Jewish black Canadian men were going from sales job to sales job and finally decided to go to a manufacturer and cut out the middle man by selling these products on their own. I believe it was pots and pans they started selling door to door from a van. When they were so successful, they went to big corporations like Disney and tried to convince them they could sell their products better and faster with their method. After several tries with the big companies, they finally folded and let the men sell their products. With the success they found, now they have international branches of direct marketing companies with all different kinds of products. Viola, SilvaLining Marketing was born.
After only a little research, it is obvious this is the biggest load of crap.
Anyhow, they offered me a job and I took it. Yeay! Not so much. After talking a bit with my friends, I realized how stupid I sounded explaining how this great new job was going to take me into my career and earn me oogles of cash within one year. So, I started doing some research. I found they are not a BBB registered company and that they actually started in not 2001 (as claimed on the website) or early 1980's. Additionally, I found to company names for the same office address, SilvaLining and North Wind Promotions. Then I found this website and it confirmed all of my suspicions. Thank God I only wasted one day with these people. I just hope all of this information will allow anyone else thinking about interviewing or working for these people realize that this is a waste of your time, energy, and money. Beware!
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