I am a recent college graduate looking for my first job in business administration. Careerbuilder.com posted a a job headline titled, "5 immediate entry level openings" for a Hollywood, FL. Based company that went by the name of Global, Inc. I applied.
On the same day I saw another job posting: "fresh start! New career for 2012! *stability and growth*" This was also for a firm in Hollywood, FL. Only this company was called Ultra Associates. I applied to this as well.
The next morning I was shocked to find that Global, Inc. Had sent me an e-mail as early as 8:00 AM about setting up an interview. Before I got around to responding to the e-mail, the first 954 phone number was called me at 9:30 AM.
A man named Brian from Global Inc. Was calling to set up an interview with me. His first question was, "are you looking for full-time or part-time". I responded with full-time and he said "Good, because we only employ full-time"...?
He went on to tell me that Global, Inc. Does a lot of marketing and advertising for sports in the FL. Area, specifically the Marlins and the Heat. And that they also do work with local spas and restaurants (Wendys being one of them).
He also told me that there were five entry-level openings that I would be considered for (2 of them being an accounts manager and event coordinator).
After I expressed my interest in the company, we set up an interview for Monday morning. I was asked to pick a time between the hours of 9 AM - 6 PM (The e-mail he later sent me indicated that their hours of operation were only until 4PM M-F).
Before hanging up, he asked me to bring in a hard copy of my resume and to wear professional business attire. He stated, "leave your flip flops and bathing suit at home". I took it as a joke since we are in South Florida.
After hanging up, I received a confirmation e-mail from him explaining what time my interview was scheduled for, the company address, phone number where he could be reached in case I had any questions and directions on how to get to the location.
After thinking I had a great job opportunity lined up, I received another e-mail from a different company stating that they attempted to contact me and wanted to know if I was still interested in a job with them. I was confused because my phone had not rung. When I opened the e-mail it was for a company called Ultra Associates, but the phone number and address was the exact same as the first company.
Strange?
I did some of my own research and found a 2010 complaint on the first company that I had set up an interview with. The writer stated that this company stays they do a lot of work with Florida sports, but they are in fact a door-to-door service.
After reading that I wondered to myself why Global, Inc. Did not have a website. I also went back and reread the 2 e-mails that they had sent me and I noticed that they did not sound very formal. I also noticed that the grammar was a little incorrect.
This is when I realized that this was a scam. I do not plan on going to my interview on Monday morning.
In addition to all of this, I called both phone numbers from a blocked number at 4:35 PM to see what their voice messaging would sound like. Global, Inc. Stated in their e-mail that their hours of operation were M-F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Interestingly enough, when I called at 4:35 PM on a Friday afternoon, I was greeted with "Good Afternoon, this is Donna". When I called the second number just minutes after, same woman, same line.
I urge anyone looking for a job in marketing or advertising be careful when applying to companies that have offices located at 4651 Sheridan St. Suite 301 Hollywood, Florida. I am glad that I caught on to their scam before I wasted my time going in for an interview.
Do not trust the people who say they work for Global, Inc. Or Ultra Associates. It's all a scam.
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