Let's see how I can put this into words...
Being in the process of looking for new employment, I came across an ad that looked like a wonderful place to work! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED?! Whoa, seemed too good to be true...
... and it was.
I go into the first interview not necessarily knowing what ICE Ohio actually did or what they specialized in, but I was excited to check it out since they informed me that the hiring manager took a look at my resume and seemed impressed!
I walk in the office, which is in the back of a big building. It was slightly hidden as it really couldn't even be seen from the parking lot since there was no name on the outside. It wasn't even listed on the signage that was in front of the entire business, so at first, I thought pulled into the wrong lot. But, I noticed the green awning that the HR Director described to help find the place.
Anyways, I walk into the office... it looked really neat and tidy. To me, it seemed professional. The receptionist was a very attractive young girl who I chatted with for a short amount of time while filling out some paper work.
After some chatter, I was called in by the Assistant Manager, Simi. We had a rather short interview. He talked about what the company does, vaguely, and what it plans to accomplish in the next year or two. I honestly didn't know much of what he was saying but he asked me a couple questions regarding where I work and what I like to do on my free time. The interview was rather short. He also mentioned that he has been doing interviews all during the day, and that him and another hiring manager were going to figure out who was going to be invited for the second round interview.
After the interview ended, I received a call back around 4:30 saying they would like me to come back for a second round interview the next day. I accepted.
I was excited. I was told that the second round interview would be with an Account Manager, and they would go over what they do during a day to day basis. So to my understanding, I would get a more in depth look of what the job actually is about.
I get to the interview, and the lobby has a room full of people. I was a little shocked as to how many people were back for a second interview because I thought I was the only one. I also that this may be a group interview, which I would not really like to do. But, people started getting called 1 by 1. The first two names that they called, they didn't show up. I finally get called and I meet up with, Matt. I believe Matt is the Main manager of the entire branch. In the office, I was introduced to an employee named Jenna. Matt informed me that I would be spending some of the day with Jenna to go over what the job is really about. I was pumped.
We met, started some small talk and we headed outside. I wasn't really sure where we were going but, I followed. We got into her car and we started driving. She started asking me questions about basic marketing strategies such as advertising, commercials, and direct marketing. I personally don't really know too much about it, but she was more than happy to tell me more about. The main point she kept mentioning was 'Direct Marketing'. She added that the client they work for, Direct Energy, was a major client and she expressed about how much she enjoyed working for the company. As she was talking, I was honestly zoning out because there was way too much information that was being told to me when I had really no clue about what was going on.
This is when I realized that the job isn't for me...
She mentioned that 'Direct Marketing' is much more effective because you are more personal and you can end the sale with a smile. She also mentioned that going to people's residence was the best way to put a face on the brand that they are marketing for.
... this instantly drew me away from this whole job opportunity.
Although, I didn't show I was no longer interested at all, I let her continue her speech and interview process. We ended up driving more, with no idea where I am, then we end up at a Starbucks. We ordered coffee and sat down and she pulled out a list of questions that she asked me. I found it quite odd that we would go to a Starbucks to conduct an interview when we could have simply done this in the office, but whatever, I wasn't going to go for this anyway.
She mentioned that the hours were 12-830pm M-F and 10-3 on Saturdays. That also instantly drew me away from this job and the fact that it was mainly commission based.
I have done a LOT of research about companies like this, and from my understanding, this is a MLM (Multi Level Marketing) scheme.
I knew what was going on by now, I just didn't show it. I just fed her BS as she fed me BS.
After the interview was over at the Starbucks, we drove back to the office where I met with Simi once again. We went over some quick questions and I mentioned to him that the hours wouldn't work out since I still attend school during the evening. He told me that he would contact me later on in the evening if they were interested in hiring me.
I never got the call, and even if I did, I would decline.
I'll give them credit though...
*They truly made a DOOR-TO-DOOR sales job sound really professional* -- I mean, just take a look at their website. It looks like they made it off of a Wix layout and the company description really tells you nothing about what they do. All they did was use a bunch of big words to make them sounds really legit.
Disappointing.
I'm pretty positive the other 'companies' that do this are;
CORE Executives, Shur Consulting Group, Venator Inc, Paramour Industries. and etc.
Mumbo Jumbo
Alabama,#2General Comment
Thu, September 25, 2014
First off - Any intelligent person should realize the type of indiviuals falling for this scheme by simply reading your update. Your grammar is horrendous. Your spelling is atrocious. And you can't even use the correct form of "you're". You've (lesson for you) provided one paystub of which you receive 52 every year you work this "job". So sense you were the BEST for one week, why not show us 26 in a row, so we can take the average of your career choice?
Secondly - define a pyramid scheme, if this isn't one...A person of your intelligence most likely will struggle with this task, or spit out the few lines they have told you in the first place about Multi-Level-Marketing....
Lastly - Please exlpain why companies like this are frequently changing names? Why is it that Shaine Thurman, Matt's original "Business Owner", has also gone through countless name changes? If you business was credible, then why change?
At this point you're probably fuming....However, take a deep breath....You have options here. you can continue down this path and become a person who talks about "how much money i make" or "how awesome this job is" or even continue to justify why this job isn't for everyone becuase they don't put in the hard work to "pay now play later"....OR you can get out now, salvage the small amount of dignity you have left and realize now that THOUSANDS of reports on this website alone speak the truth about "Multi-Level-Marketing" is no different than a pyrmaid scheme.
The Choice is yours and yours alone. I hope, for your soul, you do some self reflection and think about what you are doing...
oxman
Sandusky,#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, February 08, 2014
FIRST I WANNA SAY I THINK I KNOW YOU YOU ARE SAYING HARD WORK PAYS OFF AND I MISS TALKING WITH YOU. BUT FOR YOU PEOPLE THAT SAY IT CNT BE DONE THIS WAS MY FIRST SALES JOB EVER! YET I WAS TOP REP IN THE COUNTRY MY FIRST WEEK. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYONE MAKE A $975 CHECK AT THE AGE 20 WITH NO EXPIERENCE, THEY PROVIDE TRAINING, THEY PAY YOU FOR IT! THE SENIORS ARE THERE TO HELP OTHERS GROW. AND THATS WHY I HAVE TO SAY THIS.
I worked in Matts office. he is a amazing guy and does everything he can to make sure his people are taken care of. he has promoted out 2 offices, about to promote out another and has a 2nd gen office with another about to come out of it. this is a amazing oppurtinuty. if you dont think you can make 900 a week give me your email i have a paystub for $1056.00 for one week, you know we do what others wont to later on do what others can't. i am now a owner with IMMERGE who is a partner with Cydcor. we are a ICL (INDEPENDANT CORPERATE LICENSEE). yes you do make over $100,000 as a rookie owner. big deal you pay for things your going to anyways. this is why we get paid so much because people arent willing to do what we do. o by the way, imagine being a owner at 22 years old of a marketing and sales office that represents a FORTUNE 100 company.
Anonymous
Ohio,#4UPDATE Employee
Tue, January 28, 2014
Pros - I have been with the company for just under a year now. I started in an entry level position and within just a few weeks was promoted. Since then, I've had the opportunity to travel to Long Beach, Scottsdale, Chicago, San Antonio, and Pittsburgh. To grow, network, and of course have some fun. I get to work with great people daily who are all striving to achieve their goals as well. It has been really rewarding to see how much I've grown professionally and personally in such a short amount of time. Here.
My favorite thing about working at ICE Ohio have been:
- Getting to travel to difference cities for leadership conferences
- Developing great relationships with my fellow coworkers, most of which I look more at as friends now.
- Fun, interactive team environment and company culture
- Getting to control how quickly I advance based on my performance
In order to grow within any company, it is a requirement to have integrity and work hard. So many people are afraid of working hard to achieve his or her goals. This is why not everyone is doctors or lawyers, because it is not easy to do. Same with our business, it is not easy to be a business owner, but if we are willing to work hard; there is no doubt in my mind that becoming extremely successful in this business is tangible.
Cons- The only drawback for me is that I work longer hours than most typical jobs, but know that my professional advancement is dependent on me since this is a performace based environment - not seniority based. For me that is a breath of fresh air since I used to work in the restaurant and retail industries - now I am able to control my own promotions.
Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company
Dustin
Elyria,#5UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, December 17, 2013
I agree with the post 100%, but I for one was not given the impression of pyramid until I took the job. I had the interview with Simi first, then Jenna the next day, and then ended with Matt. Except me and Jenna went to Pete's Coffee.
Well, allow me to begin. This company operates a lot more cunningly than the standard pyramid scheme company. Unlike many other pyramids they won't force you to pay a fee to the company, but realize you will be spending a lot (gas, time, integrity, and stability).
In my interview they told me that in less than a year I would be making over $100,000 a year as a manager if I was able to work with them. They said I would run my own company, and the company would watch me grow, and coach me along the way. I was told I would spend half my day in the office, and the other half meeting face to face with our customers. I was also told the minimum base pay would be 500 a week. Well, on my first day I was told 300 a week, and come to find out the "face to face" was nothing more than door to door cold sales for 8 hours a day (Mon - Fri), and on Saturday as well. I represented Direct Energy in Cleveland Ohio area, and when talking to customers I was encouraged to tell white lies to the customer to build "Jones Effect" which essentially equates to you lying, and saying you talked to other neighbors, and a bunch of them are now with Direct Energy. The key thing here is that we said that to the first person we spoke to. You then go out for 6 days and you have to sell 100$ a day worth of commission sales a day for 4 days in that six day period before you can be "promoted."
After 2 weeks you become a trainer, but you make the same money you made before. This is where the pyramid comes into play. They want you to hire people to be in your "team", and when you are in the team your teams sales effect your pay when you hit the illustrious "assistant manager" position. Cydcor (the parent company of ICE Ohio, Inc. is notorious for the pyramid scheme (LOOK IT UP ONLINE). I assume this is the reason Cydcor wants the "owners" to call the company something different than Cydcor. If you look up ICE Ohio, Inc. you can clearly see this is not some major corporation, because it is not. They operate for Cydcor.
The manager/owner/president Matt is not the friendliest person I ever met as well. When he asked what I did that weekend I told him I spent the time with my kids, because they can be fun, and a handful. His response was "I can imagine, I just got a dog (he mentioned the breed, but I forgot the breed he mentioned) myself." Yes, you read right he compared two children to his one dog. I then informed him that my daughter had a doctor appointment for immunizations, and he gave me an attitude about it. He says to change the appointment, or at least try to, and then said (in a snarky tone) "Doctors do know that people work."
If you have no problem working 50+hours a week going door to door, for an amount that isn't worth it. I know what you are thinking (especially if you interviewed with them), "they said that you can expect to make like up to 900 a week with them for commission only. Now, lets get realistic about this shall we. This is not what is likely to happen. We spent hours going to over 70 houses (In the dead of winter in under 20 degree weather, and snow) and only got 2 people to change their electric, and gas to direct energy, and that is 84 dollars of commission the whole day. That may sound good, but when you add up wear and tear on the car, gas (you drive around to knock on doors, and it can be 45 minutes away), food, clothing to get prepared for the elements, and so forth it isn't much worth it. Also, you can't go on to manager position at all until you have 5 people willing to relocate with you. Now take a look to other reviews of Cydcor companies complaints, and realize that you don't get to choose where you relocate to (regardless of what they tell you). As they say "If it sounds too good to be true...It probably is."