Sent in a resume unaware of the common MLM / ISO schemes going around in this industry. Had an interview scheduled, and went. Kind of a dumpy reception area, old couch and some high top tables (???? this isn’t a bar ????), a few people waiting. So that’s odd, usually at a legit job interview there aren’t a bunch of other “candidates” sitting around but ok. I then received an email saying I was one of five to be chosen for a second interview. BS, everyone was back. We walked around outside with 2 current “employees” who basically sold us the job, then went back in. Then I met with a “manager” in the office who made it sound like they were reluctant to give me the job but were giving me a chance. BS; I was overqualified if anything. But now I was curious to see what racket they were running so I decided to come back.
Came in for day one. You’re made to sign tax forms and paperwork, they go over some rules and such, make you do your background check and a bunch of stuff on the Verizon website (or whatever you happen to be selling). The office is just a big room with marker boards and people yelling, practicing their “script” for an hour every morning in suits. I still have the script. It’s a joke, even by basic industry standards.
Then there is a “meeting” where everyone stands around and listens to the head honcho talk about “hard work” and such. Everyone then goes to lunch for like 2 hours, changes until Verizon/etc polos, and goes out to knock on doors. The goal was 80 doors a day. Then you have to come back to the office to drop off the tablet, no matter where you are. Even if you’re near your house and the office is 30 miles away, you have to drive back. Pointless. You’re looking at 10-12 hours a day. Oh, and you’re expected to work Saturdays as well.
And no, your gas, mileage, etc will not be reimbursed. You get commission ONLY, and it’s not that much especially considering the taxes you’ll need to set aside money for. You will be on a 1099 so that’s on you, and you will not receive benefits of any kind. This job is completely the antithesis of a 1099 job, as it requires particular hours etc, but they get away with it. This practice is NOT legal, please be aware. This is only so they can get out of paying taxes, unemployment, healthcare, etc.
If you are a brand development/business development/marketing professional, beware that these companies will spam you with job offers with fancy titles that are BS. Even the “managers” are out there knocking on doors. And they will tell you, you don’t knock on doors — just to get you in the office. This is a lie.
They also pay no attention in “HR”. This all happened back in May. I just received an email this morning (Aug) from them inviting me to interview for another job after I straight up didn’t show up to work ever again, no call no show. No self respecting HR department would make a mistake like that. They literally just want warm bodies.
I saw one kid get hired, and then said he could start like the following week after graduation, and in front of everyone they rescinded his offer on the spot and told him to leave if he couldn’t start the next day. Wildly unprofessional but honestly that kid dodged a bullet.
If you’re cool spending 60+ hours a week knocking on doors like a domestic terrorist, for mediocre commission, no base, no benefits, and no freedom, with the promise of “opening your own office” so you can inflict this on others and still knock on doors yourself, then by all means, they will hire you so long as you can walk, breathe, and talk, and especially if you’re attractive. If you have some self respect or want a job in actual marketing and biz dev, spare yourself because this will not look good on your resume down the line either.