Re: interviews and ethics

["Jo Francis Byrd" <jbyrd -at- byrdwrites -dot- com>]

Must be one of the hiring techniques these people use.

Years ago, in the midst of a career change, I called a firm for an
information interview. Well, I sounded like a go-getter, he wanted to really
talk with me. I went, prepared for some sort of interview, only to get
pressured to participate in a pyramid scheme to sell water filters. You
know, you recruit people who recruit people who recruit people...

When I started calculating who got how much of the total cost of the things,
I figured these $100+ systems cost pennies to make. Not that I was ever
tempted to participate in the scheme. I was livid at the deceptive means of
getting me there.

Unfortunately, this being many years ago when I was a day or so younger, my
good manners prevented me from telling the jerk off and leaving. Now, of
course I'd be out the door in a heartbeat.

Jo Byrd


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Smith, Martin" <Martin -dot- Smith -at- mdx -dot- com>
Subject: RE: interviews and ethics

Goober Writer asked "...Have you ever been to a job interview only to find
out later that the company flat out lied to you?..."

Yes. Years ago when I was living in Los Angeles I applied for a technical
writing position advertised in the newspaper. Soon thereafter I received a
call from the company and scheduled an interview.

When I showed up at the address they had given me and opened the door I
found myself in a large room in an unfinished office building. About 50
other people were standing around. Then someone addressed the crowd and
began a presentation for a water purification system that attaches between
the water main and a person's house. The whole thing turned out to be a
scam. They were recruiting people to sell these water purifiers door to
door.

Needless to say, I left.