Context: I am job hunting in the non profit world. I received and invitation to interview for a marketing company that works with non profits to fundraise (food banks, breast cancer research, etc.).
The first interview was via Zoom, and it was a group interview. I have never had a group interview and it was weird. It was with the CEO and she kept saying how “lucky” we were to be chosen to interview out of 400+ applicants. Weird flex but ok?
I got a call less than 5 hours later letting me know I had been selected for the 2nd round in-person interview for 8am Monday. The person who called me (HR) *also* said “Congratulations for the chance to move on to the next round! We receive hundreds of applicants.” Now this is a red flag that feels MLM-y.
the 2nd interview went like this: Walk into an office building and head up to their office at 8am. Top 40 dance pop is blasting from speakers in the “lobby” of the office. I already hate it. Some senior level person brings me into an office and explains to me that the team is all about “hustle culture” and goes over the hours- 6am to 6:45pm 5 days a week, including Saturday, with Sunday off and one floating day per week. She also pulls out a powerpoint to show me the pay structure which came in the shape of an upside down triangle. Now I'm sure this is like an MLM. It became clear that the job title/description I'd applied to was not correct, and that everyone started at the bottom, which is literal canvassing outside of walmart. Then you become an “associate” and lead 3 people, then you become “management”, then “senior level management”. The only level with a salary is Senior level at $75k – $100k. The rest of the levels are paid somewhere between $400-$1000 a week, based on the level you are on.
And again, I was congratulated for making it so far among 400+ applicants.
I GTFO and emailed them letting them know I an withdrawing my application and basically said it was because of the compensation expectations with my experience and education.
Was this an MLM? Is this what marketing firms are like? Clearly not for me.