CSI-Chicago Storm Incorporated
I had a lovely experience with the gem of a company
The story goes..
Fresh off a job in a completely different field, I decided to start fresh and try my luck at sales. I'm a college graduate with 5 years experience. My resume isn't going to really going to translate well into the sales field, so I thought I could explain my lack of experience in a well crafted cover letter and any potential interviews.
So, after applying to a few jobs and really no luck, I came across an ad like
this, except it had a specific base amount of 26,000-50,000. I applied because, hey, I like sports and I like people. This ad made the company sound like a perfect place to get my feet wet in the sales business. Wouldn't you know? I got an email about 10 mins later and a number I could call to set up and interview (BECAUSE THEY WERE HIRING IMMEDIATELY). Now, I'm not a stupid person, and I know that's not how the real world works, especially with someone as unqualified as me. Skeptical, I ignored the email. Then the call came. They asked a couple of questions, basically; "are you 18 and do you have a car? Yes?! Well great! Since we are looking to hire immediately, can you come in tomorrow?" I obliged, whether purely speculative or maybe a tad bit desperate, I obliged. So, with a validation email and a request of a resume and a list of three references I was on my way to Oakbrook the next day.
When I first got to the company (a bit hard to find but located in a cluster of nice office buildings) I went inside. A security guard looked at me and then went back to his coffee and paper, and with that I was in an elevator to the fifth floor. I was a bit confused when the elevator doors opened because of both the options, neither was Chicago Storm Inc. So, I guessed and I found my self in the front office of Regis. I asked the secretary and indeed, I was in the right place. My interview was at 1:30 and there were two people in front of me. Was it a group interview? Nope. They just conveniently got to me at around 2:15. So, out comes a guy in his early 20's and ushers me into a room that looks like it was just moved in. He has my resume and references in hand and briefly looks it over.. "Yeah, umm, this looks... a Chemical Engineer? Um, Yeah, this looks great.. So do you play sports?" Surprised, I answered, yes. Then he went into a tangent about sports and how he used to be a minor league ball player. The interview ended on that and with that, apparently, I was the perfect fit and worth of a second interview.
9:00 A.M. came and my second interview, with the same guy no doubt. I was in a cafeteria, the interview detailed all the sports teams and promotions I'd be working with. It also details a misleading salary base and commission. I was told I'd be guaranteed Monday for surviving the week and I'd also apparently be working Saturdays. Still, I was a little excited for the presentation and decided I'd take the job, which was offered on the spot. It's easy to be gullible when you're a tad bit desperate for a career change.
I started the following Monday. I was excited but still skeptical of the company. I researched and found nothing bad, not really anything other than the information that was on their website. I get to work, and I am doing the normal paperwork dance and since I had absolutely no experience is sales, I thought I'd be ushered into training.. Nope. I was ushered into a room full of people. A single room where it looked like this company was based. It had one desk, a dry erase board and that was it. I was welcomed in some sort of pseudo frat house initiation chanting and yelling and then taken to my corner for "training." My training consisted of reciting two lines: "We are with make-up essentials, with some major promotions! We have some gift bags, do you like make-up?" Yes, I WAS SELLING FREAKING MAKE-UP! Not only that but it was all commission based until you were promoted. God only knows how long that would take. Shortly after my lengthy training session, I was paired with a resident hot-shot (he was there 4 months) and off we went with the kits of makeup.
We literally drove an hour away on his gas (the company offered nothing in a way of transportation and expected you to pay for it), which I should have just ditched before, and camped out in a local town. We went door to door of businesses that clearly had enough of solicitors -WITH BLATANT NO SOLICITOR SIGNS! Rejection after rejection I listened to the same tired, annoying, and desperate sales pitch of a product the consumer didn't need and frankly, a product I had no idea about, make-up. I was embarrassed I'd fallen for the scheme and a little sad for my partner, who would be moving soon to make money for his boss, a classic pyramid scheme.
Moral of this story. This company isn't a "SPORTS MARKETING FIRM" they sell make-up. They mislead and do everything to get you in and do little to keep you. I left after a full day, no pay, and never returned. They didn't call, email or anything. I'm guessing this happens a lot. DO NOT EVEN ENTERTAIN THIS COMPANY.