Early this year I was laid off my position as a Web Designer along with several others in the company I worked for. As with hundreds of other companies; they were feeling the pinch of the economic downfall and was faced to restructure their business.

This was a very sad time in my life since this company had to be one of the best places I have ever worked for. They offered everything any good designer would like out of a company. They offered me many challenges, encouraged continuing education, excellent staff, and really was one of the most positive experiences I have ever had since working as a designer.

So the good thing is… I now know these places exist!
The bad part is… These places are few and far between.

Since being laid off I have gone to more than my fair share of interviews and really felt compelled to touch on some of my experiences. Even though this may or perhaps may not hurt my chances at future employment; I hope that potential employers will take my opinion with a grain of salt and understand that I am not referring to all companies with this article, but simply referencing my opinions of what I have experienced to date.

THE CON ARTISTS and their SKETCHY BUSINESS PRACTICES

Never… ever… in my wildest dreams have met so many sketchy people out there until I began looking for a job. I am sure there are many in all walks of life but I am saddened by the fact of how many people and companies I’ve encountered who are trying to scam the unemployed.

Most of us are living on extremely tight incomes as it is… so here is a story of one of my experiences that happened in early September.

As I am looking for a job I came across a posting that seemed quite promising. The position was for a Web Designer and this company was located directly downtown Toronto. I fit the profile they were looking for so I applied for the job.

The next day I received a call for an interview which naturally I was quite excited about. I quickly prepared for my interview and hurried downtown as quick as I could. Since I lived in the far east end (almost near Scarborough) it took about an hour to get there.

When I arrived the first red flag was when I noticed the company I was being interviewed by was located no where on the business directory. Seemed a bit strange for a company that told me they were in the Toronto area for almost 10 years.

When I approached the unit number there was another name on the door so I reluctantly walked in. It turned out the company interviewing me was renting an office out of another company’s space (second red flag).

To make a long story short it turned out that this company hasn’t been in Toronto for 10 years.  They posed as a company looking to hire, but in reality was a recruitment agency from way up North.

The position they were offering turned out to be only available to people who were willing to pay $75 dollars to have a video of them taken and placed on their website. Apparently the companies that approach them who are looking to hire, only want to see video interviews. If you didn’t agree to the video taping the man preyed on your fears trying to make you feel that you would be making the biggest mistake imaginable if you didn’t pursue this ‘opportunity’.

Thankfully I listened to my gut and refused to give into his speech. It is amazing how quickly people turn on you when you’re not buying into their scams. I felt so cheated of my time and energy.

I decided to call and report this company to Consumer Affairs when I returned home. It turned out that this company has had many recent calls from people just like me.

Funny thing is that this was not the only experience I had this beautiful summer. I was interviewed by a company looking to hire a web designer only to confess to me during the interview that they are having financial troubles and may or may not be able to pay me on a regular basis and if I was okay with that… hmmm… no I was not okay with that.

Sometimes I sit there and really want to shake my head trying desperately looking for that hidden camera that has to be hiding there in the room somewhere. Could these people honestly be serious???

Another company looking to hire posted ‘salary based on experience’ and when you arrive you find out that the position is only for minimum wage and/or a dollar or two above it. In my personal and professional opinion, I never worked my rear off for 2 years in college for a minimum wage position. It is honestly an insult to the profession, and an insult to the educational system. How can anyone honestly look someone straight in the face and state that the salary they are offering is ‘minimum wage’ for a post secondary position.

THE CALL BACK and the DANGLERS

One of my biggest pet peeves are companies that say “I will call you back either way to let you know”… and never do!

Personally I like to know either way. There is comfort in knowing where you stand within a company. I have a lot of respect for companies which honor their promises. We live in a day and age where email is easily accessible, and a quick note to say “Thanks but we have found someone else” really goes a long way with me.

Recently I had an interview for a position at the University of Toronto. I was really excited and prepared a whole week for the interview. Good for them, but unfortunate for me, they found someone before they were able to interview the next days candidates.

This company had enough consideration for all the people waiting, to fill them in on the situation and let them know that the next days interview was being canceled. Yes I was disappointed, but I was pleased that they had enough courtesy to send an email in advance which demonstrated to me that they valued our time and didn’t want to waste it. I admire people and companies who honor this simple act of respect towards another.

Another one of my pet peeves… I guess my second one would be the job danglers. These are the companies that tell you they are very interested and dangle the jobs over you for months at a time. They continually send you emails asking if you are still in the market and interested in the job. Of course you tell them yes if you are still looking… and then you never hear back from them. Tell me what I am missing???

One of the worst encounters I have experienced is with a company (which will again remain unnamed) near Yonge & Eglington. Seemed like very bright people who at first seemed very interested in hiring me. They called me to perform a design test which they loved, then asked me my availability etc… then told me they would discuss it and get back to me within the week. Over a week goes by and no word so I call them back.

They told me they haven’t made a decision but told me that I was in the running and they had one more interview. A few days later they sent me a text message telling me they found someone else but that they really appreciated me coming out. I thanked them for letting me know and that if in the future they are looking for someone else I would be interested in discussing a role with their company.

About three months later they contacted me once more and asked me if I was interested in a position. I told them I was since I wasn’t having much luck with finding legitimate companies who wanted to hire me. He asked me in for an interview so his mind could get refreshed.

All went well and we again discussed the hiring specifics. He stated to me how his other employee didn’t work out and why he quit etc. etc. and I believed him… at first!

He stated that he would call me back in two days to fill me in on the details of being hired.  Two days turned into 1 week when I finally called to ask them about the position. They again told me that they have been very busy and haven’t made a decision yet but will get back to me by the end of the week.

Again another week passed, then another, so I gave up and felt that this was not a company I wanted to work for. I didn’t appreciate being dragged along like a stuffed toy.

Several weeks go by when they decided they wanted to hire me, but wanted to change all of the promises they made to me, and wanted to know if I would agree to a new set of conditions. I decided that I wasn’t going to play these games any more and told them straight out that I am not looking for a job by job position. I am looking for full time. I made it very clear early on that this was the only position I am seeking because I have a family. I was highly agitated by this and really felt like they didn’t know what they wanted.

JOB INTERVIEWS – My experiences summed up!

- I was left sitting in an office for over an hour and was forgotten about.

- I was left sitting in an office for over an hour (again) waiting for an interview with a guy who wasn’t even there and no one knew in his office he was sick. I finally got up and left.

- I was asked to come in for an interview which I later found out was for a position that no longer existed, he just wanted to make sure he had a back up designer ready in case the one they hired didn’t work out.

- I went on an interview with a company that asked me more personal questions than I care to discuss which was extremely embarrassing.

… and the list goes on!

Now I am not saying that all of my interviews have been this unsuccessful, but in all my years living on this planet… never have I ever experienced such hogwash!

I recently moved back to Toronto just under two years ago thinking that this would be the city of opportunity.  I also grew up here so that sense of familiarity was keen to me as I took this leap of faith.

Currently I am finding it very difficult to find that right fit… especially in an economy that seems to want only to hire designers at bottom basement prices.

So my final thought is this…

What is your company’s self image worth?

The market as with everything else will turn, and the message these people are sending to potential employees have a direct reflection on the companies they are representing.

No one I know wants to work for a company that is unreliable, indecisive, or inconsiderate. People may accept it at first to obtain experience or as a temporary solution, but I guarantee they will be looking for employment elsewhere.

Myself I am looking for that special employer who values their employees, encourages their ideas, strive to become successful, values hard workers, who carries high working ethics, has goals and current achievements.

In return… you will get an employee like me who is dedicated to personal and professional growth, hard working, goal oriented, honest, reliable, creative and so much more!

Only those companies need apply!