This is a warning to all local job seekers. There is a company which uses the title of "Management Trainee: Advertising and Branding" with the address of 117, Jalan ss25/2, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor (opposite Kelana Jaya LRT station) to recruit new members. They advertise on newspapers and websites (such as Jobsdb, Jobstreet, Jenjobs, Jobberries, Bestjobs etc.) targeting fresh grads (A sweet girl I met was only 18 years old. I also heard the receptionist receiving phone calls from a 19 year old enquiring for a position.). They do not disclose the name of the company on the advertisements.
In truth, this company is called Global Impact Enterprise Sdn Bhd. They are not genuinely looking for Management Trainees or Interns. I quote from a blog I found here:
"[This is not] ... [an] event[s] ... company... [T]hey [will] ask you to ... [attend a] "one-day-training" ... [and undergo a] second interview. Their products ... depend on which branch ... [they are located]. But their working ... [method is the] same... [They] SELL THEIR PRODUCT[S] ... "FACE TO FACE" ... [TO] CUSTOMER[S] IN ... [PUBLIC] PLACES LIKE MAMAK[S], RESTAURANT[S], and EVEN GO ... [FROM] SHOP ... [TO] SHOP ... IN A SPECIFIC AREA ... [You are required] to record ... [the number of people you] have ... interviewed ... Their [daily] target ... [is] approximately 100-150 [people]..."
I remember very well that I receive an email invitation for an interview within an hour after I applied for the position in Jobsbd. The lady's name was "Mel Lim" (same person who interviewed me). I personally went for a first interview with this company. I had a dodgy feeling about it because they did not disclose the name of the company in Jobsdb (Now I know to avoid listings without the name of the company). However, I went for it anyway to check it out for myself. I saw the name of the company, Global Impact Enterprise, printed on the glass walls. The wallpapers were printed with large words "PV". The office didn't not look very convincing.
There was a young malay couple (I assume they are a couple) sitting at the couch filling in a form. The receptionist also gave me the same form, which I stupidly filled in (I should have known better). The 18 year old (so young!) chinese girl I mentioned above, who just graduated from high school, came walking in for an interview too. We struck a conversation and that's when she told me she found the advertisement on the newspaper (also with just the address without the name of the company).
During the interview, she requested for my resume again (I say again because they should already have a copy that I sent when applying for the position). We went on with the usual questions (why am I not applying for a job in the legal field, where did I study, expected salary etc.) and she began to explain what the company is about.
What I was told were these:
- They are a Singapore based company with various branches in Kuala Lumpur (She said Kelana Jaya, Bangsar and Sunway Damansara). Throughout the interview, she did not mention the name of the company.
- They used to advertise and run branding campaigns for various big names such as Nike but they are now focusing on their own products and building their own brand.
- They do not hire other companies to do their branding (She said this so many time I just have to put it here though I have no idea why this is so important to her).
- Some of their products are from Paris.
- Mel is from Singapore and they are looking for people to manage the "operation" (I don't know what this "operation" thing means) so that she can "move forward" (shrug).
- A management trainee will be involved in the organising "roadshows" and events. I will be expected to interact with strangers.
- The management team has about 10 employees but they are seeking to expand their business.
- They have immediate vacancies but "only on one condition" (her words) that is to attend an orientation tomorrow and go for a second interview. She explained that the orientation takes one full day (from 9.15am - 4pm) and it is necessary so that we know what is expected of us. Dress smart casual for the orientation, jeans is fine.
I then came home to check if they have a company website (they don't) and found a blog about the company instead. Of course, I promptly sent an email to Mel cancelling the scheduled "orientation" and second interview.
So folks, that's my side of the story. To those young fresh grads out there, be cautious and all the best!
PS: For more complaints from others, click here.
