Misinformation Central, Boring, Drawn Out, Long.
Starting off by saying this isn’t a review based on the job, as I didn’t get hired there, this is solely based on the lacklustre and long, drawn out interview process I experienced, which probably speaks volumes about how the company is run in itself.
I was very enthusiastic at first. The company brought me in for an “interview” which is really just them getting to know you and the first stage. If they like you after your first brief meeting they’ll invite you back for a second “interview”, this is where it all went bad for me and I started understanding this company for what it likely truly is. The second stage “interview” I went to I was expecting a day of just being taught about the company and their values and then to be interviewed normally at the end as they did state the process would be from 11:30am to around 8pm. Oh, How wrong I was.
I arrived at the hotel they scheduled to meet at, then was told I would be accompanying one of their employees and viewing what they do. Fair enough, but then they made me pay my OWN bus fare to the location and follow a man around all day who was doing door to door sales, in the snow to make it worse. I was never told to bring any sort of bus fare, nor that I would be walking around outdoors all day, stood by embarrassingly clueless as what to do other than having a notepad and pen to “take notes” of what the man was doing as he knocked on every door in the area asking people if they want to switch utility supplier. Bare in mind, they have several roles in the business and this wasn’t even one I was interested in remotely. The worst part is, he was nice, cosy and warm in a scarf and gloves ready for the elements, while I was freezing to death in a suit (thin one) which I was TOLD to wear as dress code, thinking I would be indoors all day at some sort of seminar, ending with a one to one interview. It was a nightmare from this point, but I just kept smiling as I knew I was being judged on character.
The man also made me take notes on their hierarchy ladder. At this point I was convinced that this company works similarly to a pyramid scheme, and only paid based on commission and how hard you work. They have “stage 1” sales and marketing; progressing to “stage 2” - leadership, where you get to do your job and teach people stage 1 at the same time (this is the stage the man I was following around was at), after you complete a checklist of requirements and tasks for “stage 1”; then “stage 3” - assistant manager, you get to lead a team of 30 here (30 people who are doing exactly what you’d have just progressed from), and ultimately ending up a “stage 4” - manager. Whether I progressed or not basically depended on the sales man you’re following around’s opinion of you, who reports to his Assistant Manager or Manager. If you have an “attitude”, you’re essentially finished and wasted your time, but wouldn’t most people after getting messed about with misinformation? It’s basically a judgement of your character, or a more in depth version of the first “interview”.
Then they told me to go back to the hotel by MYSELF and get there before 7, as the man I was following round was going to be door knocking until 8 completing what was apparently his shift. I never went back, luckily I had a day rider, I took the bus back to my car instead SOAKING wet through from the snow, hands numb from having to write pointless notes all day, and notepad dripping in ink from the precipitation, went straight home. (By the way, there’s a 3rd interview stage after this 2nd one!). The only thing I took from the day really was some useful sales tips, and some advice on how to have a “good/positive attitude”.
Totally disorganised, and didn’t even have the decency to tell me to wear something suitable for being outdoors all day in winter weather (I was wearing a Business Smart suit, very thin one at that). Would not recommend. If you’re looking for an independent job where you can progress quickly, but based on commission and pretty much based on the luck of finding someone to actually find the time to open their door and speak to you, go for it. I’d personally be disgusted in myself knowing I’m ordering someone else “under” me to go through this even if I got to manager stage in this business (if you can call it a business). This is my experience with them, just warning you because I’ve been completely put off to say the least. You’d need to actually experience this to believe it, actually in awe!!!