Woo hoo! It's the summer, so you can kick back and relax because of the homework-free days,however, some of us may have to proceed to work. Working is a way for some of us college students to pay for our education, future plans, traveling expenses and much more. Furthermore, it can be detrimental to some college students if they don't generate enough money during the summer or even during the school year. Jobs are simply vital to college students depending on varying circumstances. I have encountered many negative reviews online about some of the companies that offered me a job. I want to create awareness to college students to research all companies they wish to apply for or accept a job offer in. If more people researched companies before applying or taking the job offer there would be less businesses taking advantage of young people, whom may be uninformed of a company's unethical ways of compensating and treating employees.
The topic of researching jobs was something I learned when I applied to multiple jobs during this summer. I was in desperate need to find a job, so I could finance my high-maintenance habits and future plans. I rigorously applied for jobs online, and I received multiple job offers as time went along. I will discuss my experiences and express ways to prevent what happened to me to other college students, so less students will not waste their time looking at unethical companies that seem "favorable".
The first negative job offer I encountered seemed like a "promising" job, since I knew it had to deal with politics and it was for a "seemingly" good cause. After researching this company I found out it had a bad working atmosphere, and there was a high turnover rate based on reviews online. On top of finding these bad reviews, I was asked to perform job activities via email that I didn't know I would have to do by job description I originally applied for. I didn't feel comfortable with this requirement along with some others, so I decided to pass this job opportunity. I feel this was a wise decision, and I could have prevented even progressing or entertaining this job offer by researching the company and investigating what the company was looking for.
The second and third job negative job opportunities I confronted was related to being unethical companies. These companies lacked appropriate treatment and compensation to employees. Both companies I researched were described to be "pyramid scheme" companies. The definition of a pyramid scheme style of business is an illegal investment scam based on a hierarchical setup. New recruits make up the base of the pyramid and provide the funding, or so-called returns, the earlier investors/recruits above them receive. A pyramid scheme does not involve the selling of products. Rather, it relies on the constant inflow of money from additional investors that works its way to the top of the pyramid. These companies were luring other young college students like me to be their pawns at generating money for themselves and giving morsels of income to us. I came to the conclusion by researching these two companies that pyramid scheme companies tend to target college students. These companies are preying for young and naïve college students. These companies are hoping for young and fresh newbies to succumb to their high demands and wishes for a short-time period (as most employees leave within a year or even a month from recognizing being used) for the bettering of their own unscrupulous company.
These negative job opportunities expanded my knowledge on unethical businesses being far from uncommon. I urge more college students and even newly graduates to research companies and job positions they are applying for or have been offered a job in. It is essential to look at a company's message, audience, and purpose to find a job that is suitable and ethical. Besides researching a company itself, I would also advise everyone to look at reviews from former employees online. Former employees tend to be the most trustworthy because these previous workers have nothing to lose by adding a review of where they used to work. Reviews online can give insight to how a company's work environment, pay and treatment of employees really are. Try to find the answers to these questions: How well a company pays their employees? What are the working conditions provided? What is the overall quality of happiness of employees while working at this specific company? Does this job position seem comfortable by the requirements? What will I learn from working with this company and job position? Lastly, I am going to reiterate that college students and newly graduates should make sure the job opening or offer is a comfortable occupation.
Don't be a victim of a misleading job offer or an unethical business abusing college students. Research companies online to get an understanding on its purpose, benefits, and message. After researching companies that seem interesting to apply too or accept a job offer in, research previous employees feedback to working at this specific company. Looking at online reviews from previous workers are a great way to detect a company's inner treatment of employees, and if the pay is decent and reliable. An extra step to take will be to look for customer reviews about the company; see if customers enjoy the company. If customers are not happy with the business dealt by the company or if there seems to be no customer reviews about the company investigate whether it is a new business or an ethical company. Don't be discouraged if job offers aren't rolling in; this process takes time (Tip: try to apply in person to companies) and it will eventually pay off if you apply non-stop. If there is a legitimate company found to work for investigate the questions; is this job position comfortable for me? If yes, golden! If not, keep searching. Find a job that will respect boundaries and comfortability. Remember have faith when looking for jobs. Enthusiasm will provide fuel for motivation to continue for job hunting.
