I searched Los Angeles Craigslist for an HR position and found “benefits specialist” but the company name was not included (red flag #1). I was at the time working a door to door, MLM scheme sales job and I was looking to get back into a normal professional work setting.
I applied and received an email response a couple days later asking if I was available for an in person interview. I set up an interview for the following week.
When I arrived at the location my GPS sent me, I wasn’t sure if I was at the right building because there wasn’t a sign or anything. (Red flag #2) The email stated to just go up to the 2nd floor and enter one of the suites.
Red Flag #3!!! Ok, now this next part was the precise moment I knew I would not be accepting employment (I also knew at this moment I would be offered a job-more on that later.) When I opened the door to the suite I entered a room that was packed full of people filling out applications. I’m talking 30 chairs lining the walls of a square room and 28 seats were taken. I knew this was a room full of potential down line “employees.” I didn’t want to just turn around and walk out, so I checked in, sat down, filled out and app, and waited. 5 minutes later my name is called and I walk with some guy in a suit into an “office” (generic desk, chair, a computer, no papers, no pens, nothing.) This guy, who was really nice actually, asked me two questions, what are your hobbies? And Why are you seeking employment? I answered, and he said “Everything checks out! Let’s move you up to the 2nd interview...down the hall..in another room packed full of people. Red flag #4.
Red flag #5. The 2nd interview was a presentation from one of the managers with the company. The presentation went over the job summary; setting up meetings with Union employees and try to sell them insurance. Commission only. You must provide your own equipment (computer) and you would only be in the office for “morning meetings.” You make most of your money from acquiring team members to work below you on your team. The “harder your work, the faster you can get “promoted” and then you’ll have real “opportunity” for wealth. It was, just as I thought, a multi level marketing/pyramid scheme.
The reason that there were so many people interviewing and filling out applications is because these MLM companies don’t survive on anything but recruiting. EVERYONE gets interviewed and hired. The small % of people at the top make money, and nobody in the down line makes money. The job title was irrelevant. There were probably multiple ads with different titles all ending up in the same room applying for commission only sales job.
I remember thinking, “how do companies like this keep getting away with it?!?!”
I received a call that night from the lady giving the presentation. I did, as expected, “impressed at the interview” and was offered the job. I never responded.