The Downside of Classified Advertisements

I have not found success with the Internet services for finding employment, and am now concentrating on responding to classified advertisements in the local newspapers.

"36K - 50K First Year. No experience needed. Will Train. Wanted: positive, motivated people..." - sounds good, right? I called and inquired about what company it is, they told me a very reputable company's name - a company I am familiar with and one that has been around for over 40 years. I scheduled an interview and was excited about the potential of finally finding a decent paying job.

Upon arrival at the designated destination for the interview, the sign on the door said a completely different name than what I was told over the telephone. I questioned the receptionist as soon as I entered; as I wanted to clarify I was at the correct location. She assured me that I was, and that they are a company that distributes the other company's (that reputable one I heard of) products.

I sat in a waiting room with two other applicants: a woman in jeans, tank top, and flip-flops, a man in jeans, t-shirt, and construction boots. They are dressed very casual in comparison to me in my business suit. I immediately felt uncomfortable.

In the interview, the man told me a little bit about the company. He said that I would qualify to be a manager, with a team of 5 people under me selling products. I asked if it was a salaried position. He answered, "No. Pay is based on performance and commission". I asked how long I had to decide if I wanted to take the position or not and he invited me to a two day training, 6 hours each day, that is scheduled for the following week. At the training, I would learn more about the company, and I can make my decision after. I would not be paid for attending the training. Within the first hour of said training, all money questions would be answered, and I can leave after an hour if I feel the job is not for me.

Would you go to this training? I am so skeptical about the entire thing that I have not made a decision yet.

On to the next classified advertisement: "Career Opportunity 50K Plus First Year", hmmm... I am already suspicious. This advertisement, like the previous one, was seeking positive and motivated people. I am positive and motivated, so, I called the number on the advertisement. I am invited to attend an "Information Seminar" - to learn about the company. I asked for the company's name, and they wouldn't tell me, they simply said that they are affiliated with another company. I asked what the job was, and they told me to come to the one-hour seminar to find out. I asked if it was a commission only job, and they again advised me to come to the one-hour seminar to find out.

Interesting, isn't it?

Have you ever heard of an MLM (multi level marketing) Company? Avon, Pampered Chef, and FreeLife International are all MLMs. Companies that you pay into to be part of, sell their product, get friends and family to sell with you, and the more people under you selling, the more money you make. This is great for salespeople. This is great for people wanting to earn extra income. But it is questionable if it is a way to make a living. Right now, I am in need of the stability of a permanent job, with the security of a paycheck and benefits. The advertisement, and follow-up seminar sounded like an MLM to me. So I assessed, clearly this advertisement wasn't meant for me.

(Author/Content Producer Side Note: I had tried an MLM once before, with very little success. It ended up costing me more to be part of the MLM than any income I gained from doing it.)

The third and final classified advertisement that I inquired about truly interested me. A company advertised that they were seeking 10 people to fill open spaces in 5 different departments. The company's website seemed legitimate. They are a marketing firm, focusing on promotional events that benefit the safety of children. This was definitely a calling for me; I would greatly enjoy working for a company that helps children. I immediately e-mailed my resume and a fantastic cover letter. In less than 24 hours they contacted me for a preliminary interview scheduled for the very next day.

Their office is an hour drive from Ocala. My immediate impression of the actual office was, "dirty, dingy, creepy". The office is a small warehouse looking building, with a disheveled lawn and litter on the sidewalk. Inside the office was just as much unkempt as the outside of the building. As instructed by the receptionist, I filled out an application as I waited in their lobby. Upon being called into a conference room, I met a friendly manager who was to interview me.

He asked what position in particular I was applying for, and I mentioned that "customer service", "public affairs", and "event planning" are of the most interest to me. He suggested that I go for the "Management Training Program" as he felt it would be a perfect fit for me based upon my credentials. I asked him more about being a manager, and all he answered with was, "You would have 5 people under you that you would train, it's a great opportunity, you have the potential of making a six figure income".

Sounded eerily familiar to me. So I pressed on for more information. I asked if it was salaried or an hourly wage or commission. He answered that all of those options were available. I asked about the training that would be offered. He answered that this was merely a preliminary interview, and if I wanted to learn more about the company, that it was a requirement that all employees complete a "day of observation"; this way I could learn the ins-and-outs of the business and decide if this would be a good fit for me. After completing the "day of observation", I would then sit down with him for a second interview, where I would have the opportunity to express where I would like to be in the company, and he can tell me where he foresaw me being best suited in the company.

At first impression, I understood where companies were coming from. Why spend a ton of money training someone if they end up quitting right away? Makes perfect sense, let the applicant see what the job entails, learn all the ins-and-outs, and then be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not they would want to pursue a career with said company.

But honestly, in today's economy, and gas being over $4/gallon, can I really afford to travel one hour each way to attend a 9:30am - 6:30pm "day of observance" with no compensation whatsoever?

I, with very few dollars in my pocket, barely had enough gasoline to go to the interview as it was. I, not impressed with the office, the vagueness of the manager interviewing me, left the building unsure whether or not I would go to the required "day of observance".

I called the office the following day to let them know I thought about it, and to decline attending the "observance". The receptionist on the phone literally just said, "Oh?".

I explained to her that I need a "real" job, one that offered the security and stability of a paycheck, and that everything was way too vague for me to attend their required day without any compensation at all. I explained, probably in too much detail, that I need to know more specifics about pay; whether it's salary or hourly or commission only. And all she responded with was simply, "Oh".

To every one of my comments and questions, she simply responded with "Oh".

At the end of the conversation I thanked her for her time, and she asked, "So... you aren't coming in?"

And, I replied, "No."

To that, she said, "I'll let them know."

Oh.

Okay. Now, I get it. Every one of these classified advertisements that say "potential income" or "opportunity" are not jobs for me.

Here's a fair warning to all you job seekers out there: do not respond to ads with "potential income" or "opportunity" in them unless you are interested in commission only jobs!

Is this all that is available in today's job market? Commission sales?

To: anyone else out there looking for a job - are you running into this? If so, I'd appreciate your comments and thoughts!