Is this employer being unreasonable?

[marthamatilda]

Hello, first post!

I've just graduated and am a few weeks into the job search, working with a recruiter who has been arranging my interviews etc, as well as applying for some independently.

I had an interview on Friday for a company who want to bring me back in on Monday for a final stage interview. However, they want me to start full time the following day. At the moment, they aren't offering any flexibility on the start date. I liked the company, they seemed like genuinely nice people and the work should be interesting, but I'm really not sure about this for a number of reasons. I also have other final stage interviews I'm due to attend that week, for jobs that I would prefer, which I would really like to know the outcome for before I make a decision. The work is commission based and the money that they are claiming that I could make is significantly more (around £20k) more than other places, which makes me really sceptical. I'm also not sure why they haven't already filled the position if they wanted someone to start on Tuesday!

That being said, I obviously wouldn't want to turn down a potentially good opportunity, and I know how difficult the job market is at the moment. This is also my first 'proper' job so I'm not really sure if this is standard practice or not.

This was not well written at all but any insight would be very helpful! Thanks!

Have you said you will be available on Tuesday?

Either they put it forward and you say, no I'm, out thr country, not available, or you said yes I'm available. Which is it.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect anyone to start a job the day after it's offered to them. You'd barely have time to fill in all the paperwork, read the contract, accept and sign it.

I'd be a bit wary of an employee like this, it's not really getting off on the right foot. Would you actually be getting a salary?

I have to ask - why have you posted in the gardening topic? You might find you don't get very many replies

This is posted in Gardening you might want to move it.
As for being reasonable, yes it is and a lot of people would be happy to start work immediately. It may not be reasonable for your circumstances however.

Sorry yes I put it in by mistake. I would be getting a salary which is the going rate for the industry but they're claiming I could make significantly more commission on top. I haven't said directly to them whether or not I would be available, I've just spoken the recruiter and have said I'm not entirely happy with it.

Have they given a reason?

Most employers would expect new starters to take time to sort our accommodation/childcare/notice from existing employer etc.

Have they already checked your references?

I think the commission thing also sounds a bit dodgy.

Trust your instincts.

(and did you mean to post in 'gardening'?)

Yes, they're taking on around 20 grads and want to start them all at once. They haven't checked my references, qualifications or anything! As I say, this is my first job so I have no idea what is standard practice or not, but I'm sceptical.

and no but i can't work out how to move it!

asked for it to be moved!

We're just moving this out of gardening and over to AIBU at the OP's request.

They’ll quite likely be a high turnover operation, OP. If they had a legitimate need for good quality graduates and the ability to retain their people, they wouldn’t be pressurising you like this. Unless you are desperate, avoid like the plague.

Herculepoirot2 is right. Have you googled them? It can be very illuminating? I'm the opposite end of my career to you so I've been around the block a few times and I would be very sceptical.

Is this a well known company? If it's a competitive graduate scheme then they can afford to work to their schedule. That said, they'd definitely check references before starting employment. There's a few red flags about what you've said so i'd be cautious.

Thank you. I have done, they work with some very high profile clients and their founders are very experienced, so I don't think they're a scam. However, I think you're right about the high turnover, and the industry is renowned for it anyway.

not well known at all, they're a start up.

Is it sales or recruitment?

Most people would need to time to give notice/find accommodation. It's normal to be offered a job a month or 2 before starting.

yes, sales

The whole thing sounds to me like a gigantic scam. Are you sure about their claims about their clients? And have they offered any actual proof of the ability to earn commission?

I'd be wary of this. Normally if the second interview went well, a company would offer you the job to start at a mutually convenient time. The fact that they're trying to get you to agree a start date before the second interview sounds dodgy to me.
In your shoes, I'd be tempted to tell them thanks but no thanks and hope one of the other prospective jobs works out.

Cross post. I wouldn't go near a sales job at a start up company!

Huge red flags here, OP, I hope you're seeing them.

Agree about seeing the red flags. Trust your instincts.

I don’t think it sounds like a scam as such, but certainly somewhere with a high turnover that doesn’t place much value on retention. There’s a company like that round here - every time we recruit at least half the applicants will have worked for them, rarely for more than a few months. Tough environment with a lack of support and progression, and a conveyor belt of new recruits.

I'm guessing telesales? Cold call?

I'd avoid it like the plague as well. If you're working on commission and don't meet targets they'd happily show you the door.

Unlikely to be a scam, just a place where they don’t really care whether you start or not, because they aren’t planning to invest in you.

Have you any sales experience? Are you sure there’s a proper base salary? It’s not a weird thing where you are actually put on a “training programme” first, for which you have to pay, and the “real” job never materialises or you never somehow pass the training?