My search for a job
after graduation has been quite...interesting. When I first got emailed
for a job interview, I was super excited. It was a job within the public
relations field, entry level, and the ad said they were looking for recent
grads. I thought it was the perfect opportunity. At least, until I got there.
I drove 3 hours to get
to the company. It was in a city right outside of Atlanta, and as I drove into
the parking lot everything seemed so great, and I tried to imagine myself
working there. That completely changed once I found the offices. When I walked
in, with portfolio in hand, I was given a chart from the receptionist, and was
told to write out my resume. I sat down on a couch in the waiting area with 3-4
other girls, and realized it was actually two companies sharing one part of the
building. A tall man came out, and called someone, and they went to right side
of the offices. After a few minutes they came back out shook hands, and the
same man then went to the left side. Soon my name was called. I said,
"Hello", then shook his hand. After we sat within an office, he told
me about the company and asked me a few questions about the chart I filled out.
After 5 minutes, it was over. He didn't even look at my portfolio. He wasn't unkind per
say, but I found out I had been lied to.
The post about the job
was about public relations (writing, publications, social media), and said that
training was provided. At the interview I found out it was really Sales. They
hired recent graduates so they could sell products like cable tv packages
within a "vendor location" aka Sam's Club. You had to drive all
over Atlanta to sell products, and only get paid minimum wage. Possibly commission
as well. If that's what they were hiring for, why not just say that in the job
description? Why be so deceptive? I had driven 3 hours for a five minute
interview, and it was for a position I didn't even apply to. I left the place
with such a bad vibe. I learned my lesson though. I avoided every similar job
description after that. I felt so scammed. As I drove the 3 hours back home, I
told myself I would never do it again.
Well, that was my first
experience with interviews outside of college. My next one ended up with me in
the ER!
Well until next time,
Lisa
P.S. Beware of companies that sound similar to “Looking for entry-level xxxx, to fill blah blah. Recent graduates apply, No experience necessary, will train. Looking to fill (insert bulleted list of claimed positions).
