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!

Someone's left them in the lurch. Usually the person who left, started & didn't work out & they're scrambling to fill the gap. I contracted for years, often did immediate start & was unfazed by mess left behind. Meant I never had gaps between contracts. It's not for the faint hearted tho. One job took 6months to sort the ups my predecessor made budgetwise.

The fact they are taking on 20 grads and want in immediate start in sales is a huge red flag. Honestly be careful

dentist appointment for filling ….you forgot about that!

It’s not necessarily a scam, just somewhere rather brutal and target driven. You’ll be dropped immediately if you don’t perform. But I know people who took these jobs after university, realised they were good at sales and moved on to bigger and better things.

Sounds very similar to 'job' DS was offered straight after uni. They started groups of graduates every couple of weeks, 'mentored' them together, offered huge commission and rewards but all based on recruiting others. This wasn't revealed beforehand. Pressured to sign various contracts without being given time to read them. Encouraged to socialise together. I can see some of this might be considered 'team-building' but was too far and rang alarm bells all round. We looked up the company name on Glass Door (reviews of past employees), also the director names on companies register and any other companies they had. Our concerns were confirmed and after a couple of sleepless nights, DS resigned within the week.

They too had 'founders' who had done very well and a list of blue chip companies and charities as clients. But the work was essentially pyramid sales or chugging, all dressed up as smart suits and hard work bringing results. They are very persuasive and good at selling you the dream and making you feel you will miss out if you pass up on the offer.

Maybe yours is more genuine, but a good employer would give you decision making time..so you join them for the right readons snd are more likely to stay.

Definitely look this outfit up on Glass Door.

Op, have a look at the company on Green Door, they do company reviews.

But I have been in sales for years and agree with pp's - they just want bums on seats. Don't do it at the expense of attending other interviews.

(And don't forget they will all be salespeople so will be trying to "sell" you into the job - be strong!)

Glass Door not Green Door!!

thanks everyone, sounds like I'm not being unreasonable. I'll still go to the interview and see what they have to say, even if I ultimately turn the job down.

If it's a start up, how have they had time to develop relationships with "very high profile clients"? What exactly is it that their founders are very experienced in? And can they evidence a likelihood of the "extra £20k" or is it just a figure plucked from the air?

Sorry, but as with so much relating to sales it sounds to me like a load of flannel - hot air based on nothing much at all and red flags all over the place. Definitely one I'd give a very wide berth