Anyway, I tracked down a phone # from their website, http://www.bsrmarketinginc.com, which is very thin on details (and has recently been updated with the incongruous reference to company “NPE” which the “president” insisted must be a typo). After leaving a vmail for Jamie (whose vmail message sounded like the voice of the woman who’d answered the phone), I received a return message at ~5:30 pm from Sarah, saying she’d be available ’til 8 pm. Not that many hiring managers are willing to be available that late in the day – especially in this job market.

Anyway, a few traded messages later – to what appears to be a cell phone in the Reno, NV area – as well as a return email to “Jamie” to see about expediting a phone conversation after several days of missed connections, I finally spoke with Sarah. She’s been working with the company in HR for about a year, but couldn’t tell me anything about company details, like how long they’ve been in business. Also, as the HR person, she did not have a copy of my resume and neither did the “president” “Lou” (Lourdes Sotelo according to Caller ID), with whom I had scheduled a phone interview, so I have to wonder who actually received that. She sounded like she’s in her early 20’s, and if she’s president of a legitimate company, good for her. When I asked about the charity and nonprofit clients mentioned in the email I’d received from “Jamie” as well as being on the co. website, Lou said they are now focusing on high-end jewelry, Swarovski crystals, cosmetics including “Victoria Jackson”, fashion, skin care, etc. In searching for her name and city, I came across this MLM newsletter (https://distrib.foreverliving (dot) com/cms/downloads/Dec08_Eng.pdf), which mentions someone by the same name on p. 25 and seems to mesh with the product line she’d described to me. (There are a lot of people with this name, so maybe it’s not the same person, but Sarah definitely answered NO when I asked her if this were a MLM [multi-level marketing aka pyramid scheme] co.) I was part of an MLM at one time, and this whole experience feels just the same. Lots of buck-passing and few consistent answers. Since I’d found very similar online job postings across the country, I even asked Sarah whether there were a parent co, and she says they are independent – another hallmark of a multi-level structure.

Both Sarah in Reno and Lou in the San Diego area (or at least her phone # has a 619 area code) described the “three part” interview process others have mentioned in connection with BSR and other companies, saying the next 2 parts would be offered to the “top 5″ candidates at one of their sales events over the weekend. Oh, and then she offered me her email address – hotmail, not corporate. This experience raises more questions and red flags than it answers – especially after reading others’ posts. Let the potential employee beware – and good luck in your search for work.

Also, look out for the name Doug Asher, who seems to be the man in charge of all this out here.

In regards to my last post, 91, PacWestern/World Solutions’ Craigslist ad also posted a compensation of 35-40k. Definitely not happening. And even if it does, it won’t come until you reach a management position. But who does that? Who posts what your salary MIGHT be if you work for them 8 months down the road?

In response to posts 55 and 88… I interviewed recently with a “High Performance Marketing” and was shocked to read this thread and discover the number and address for this 5th Dimension place is EXACTLY THE SAME as this High Performance Marketing (and BSR as noted in 88).

I actually did a first day at a new place here in San Jose called PacWestern (World Solutions). They offered me a position but I am growing very wary of them. After my “training day,” I’ve discovered their hierarchy system is laid out the same as High Performance. The numbers are literally identical:

2-4 weeks entry level
$300-$500 per week doing field work

6-8 months leadership/team leader
$500-$800 per week
assembling a team and continuing to also do field work

2-3 weeks assistant manager
salaried and doing primarily office work

I find it very interesting this pyramid style of advancement is identical for two completely unrelated companies.

Thank you.

Thank you.

BSR Marketing
2998 Scott Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054

Recruitment e-mail:

I’d like to thank you for your general interest in our company. After reviewing the resumes, we feel as if yours exemplifies many of the qualifications that we are looking for in our team. We would like to meet with you within the next few days to begin the formal interview process. Prior to an initial interview we recommend browsing our websites to find additional information concerning our company’s innovative marketing concepts.

BSR Marketing, Inc. creates exciting promotional events for various non-profit and charity clients. You can review our site to learn more about our clients, services, and careers at http://www.bsrmarketinginc.com.

Below, you will find our contact information please give us a call @ 408-727-1110 in order to schedule a definite time to meet with you and discuss the opportunities that are available at our firm. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
Jamie Hughes

BSR Marketing, Inc.

Ph: 408-727-1110

—

Cheers

5% is actually a good percentage for a company to give to a charity. The company I most recently worked for cut their matching funds donation to their charity. I guess it wasn’t in the budget anymore?

How is someone too young to be a president of a company? We hear about Napster and Facebook being created by college students. Aren’t they their own presidents? Just a thought.

And, to the last poster. Did you seriously just get real upset because someone said a person was out on holiday? Isn’t it the holiday season? Don’t employees take off two or so weeks for Christmas vacation sometimes? I had to laugh at that one.

And kudos to those who put their names.

I have a BA from one of the best universities in the country – no way am I putting up with this shit. I’d rather wait tables or serve burgers than do this. (luckily though, I already have a decent job, so I won’t need to do that just yet)

I’d like to thank you for your recent application online and for your
interest in a career with our company! I’d like to let you know that I
recently received your resume that you submitted to our open positions and I
passed it along to my management team. After carefully reviewing it, they’d
like to invite you in to meet with our hiring manager for a one-one-one
interview, so Congrats! We are really excited about expanding into a new
location and expanding our client portfolio. So right now we’re focused on
building the team of people who will gain the opportunity to help us
represent these new campaigns. I know they’re looking to fill positions as
soon as possible, so as soon as you receive this email, please contact me
directly at (847) 285 – 5224 in order to schedule your interview. You’ll be
meeting with our manager here in our Schaumburg location, so please make
note of the address I have listed below. I would also really recommend you
read more about our company on our website at: http://www.idpromotions.com to find
detailed information of our campaigns and clients we work with and also so
that you may be more prepared to meet with our management team. Thank you
once again and I look forward to meeting you soon!

Sincerely,

Shannon Davis
HR Department
I.D. Promotions, Inc.
1125 Tower Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Ph: 847-285-5224
http://www.idpromotions.com

i called them, this morning, asked them for “Shannon Davis” when i was told by a girl name michelle that she was ” out of town for the holiday” the holiday was last fuckin week!!!! i call BULL SHIT! so anyways talking to this “michelle” she said i was “Way qualified for this position” cuz of my BA. They wanted me to come in tomorrow morning at 11 for an interview. After reading all this i know its a scam for sure. this company needs to be brought down! i feel bad for all you ppl who when to this company for and interview and had to endure all their bullshit! I thank you all who post everything saying this was a scam! i didnt bust my ass for 4 years to get fucked by this company!

They even have the same f***ing stock photos!

“Paradigm Events, Inc. is a privately owned promotional marketing firm located in San Leandro, CA. Sean Garner founded the company in response to a demand by local area consumers and businesses for a more effective, personal, and results-driven sales approach…”

http://www.idpromotionz.com/

I watched exactly what all of you have: “charity programs” & wavering customer product prices working (supposedly) hand-in-hand. I drove 25 miles to get to P.E., just to then find out that where I’m going to shaddow, was 10 minutes TOPS from my HOUSE!!!!! So, I’m driving my own car, and if you’ll do the math with me: 25 miles to P.E., 25 miles to drive to the “event”, 25 miles to P.E. for my 3rd “interview” & 25 miles back home, with the congrats to me that I have the F-ING job! *sigh* That was 100 miles today & just so you know, that’s 1/4 tank on my car!! Not like I’m getting paid yet or ever being reimbursed! This BLOWS! I could almost cry.

I’m job-shopping (as I’ve been doing for some time now) while enduring this nightmarish crap. Believe it or not, I’m ACTUALLY going in to my first day of “work” tomorrow….trust me, I wouldn’t if I didn’t need the $$$ so badly.

While you’re laughing at me for doing this, I hope you’ll also wish me luck. I’ll post back on here again when I finally LEAVE this joke-of-a-company (hopefully soon). And each & every one of you will say, “Told You So!”…. (I’m toughening up my skin since I know it’s coming)