I receive a telephone call from one, Ms. Billings, saying that she was getting back to me to schedule me for an interview the following day, i.e. April 11th, 2013 at 10 a.m. and that I should bring along $ 80 as processing fee, just in case I was hired and that my starting salary would be @ 13.75. I grabbed the opportunity, naturally being unemployed for a long time and Thanked the Lord that HE has heard my prayers for employment. But the scenario was different at the security office. I am selected for the corporate security job (as presented to me) and that I need to do a fire guard's training class for which I had to pay $ 249, and the necessity was such because of a dearth of FSD's in the security field. My interviewer (Curtis Michaels) assures me of a full time, @ 13.75. What would a drowning person do? I did exactly the same, got my card charged so I could start work ASAP. Following week I go to LJW for a scheduled 5 hr. class but rather surprisingly the class is over in just about 3 hrs. and nothing of the kind is covered as is required by the Fire Dept. exam. I know this for sure, since I had a Fire Guard License from Metro Tech earlier but which was expired.
Anyhow, I am directed to report back to SEG office at 80 Broad St., on completion of my F.G. training. I think no end of myself since I have been asked to come to SEG office in a business attire and presumably hoping to receive my work schedule. I am directed to one (RJ Tyler) who happens to be a placement coordinator with SEG. Here I began scratching my head since I could now start smelling something fishy. Tyler, after some playing around on his laptop, comes out with a print-out of two (2) different locations, on two (2) different days to go and apply for a job with the H.R. Dept. Uhhh, this is real silly and frustrating I felt and why did I have to come in my best attire just to receive these two worthless pieces of paper.
Before preparing myself now for the next journey to go in for these two locations, I called both of them up for directions to which both said they had no openings and were not receiving any applications and THAT THE STARTING PAY WAS JUST THE MINIMUM, @ 7.50. My frustration and calmness, now full, I immediately emailed and called both Curtis & Tyler mentioning my experiences. Curtis right away denied (absolutely WHITE LIES) that no one mentioned to me that I would be started with @ 13.75.
My question is now whether am I a fool or that stupid that an unemployed man like me would shell out difficult and hard-earned money so easily if there was nothing in the offing. Everyone knows that one does not need a fire guard training or license for a mere security job. One does not need to give out that kind of money like $249.00 for a low paid job for all know this kind of @ 7.50 (lowest paid) jobs are in plenty in the market. Just imagine on an average of $ 249.00 multiplied by, say, 60 (average number of candidates in one particular class) comes to $ 14,940, enough to run a full fledged office including salaries.
My advice: One does not need to pay anything to any legitimate security company offering employment. I feel sorry for all those unsuspecting and innocent ladies & men who have lost their hard-earned money or decided not to take any action to get their money back.