Warning About a Job Interview Experience (Kingsdale Mortgage Inc.)
I want to share a concerning experience my friend, whom I’ll call Arthur (for privacy reasons), had while job hunting in Canada as a new immigrant. He previously encountered a company that I found suspicious—Universal Investing & Consulting Inc.—but this particular case raises even more red flags.
Arthur applied for a position at Kingsdale Mortgage Inc. and received a phone call from them. The conversation felt less like an interview and more like a lecture, where they provided some information about the job responsibilities and salary but didn’t ask any questions about him at all.
Fast forward two to three weeks, Arthur was invited for an in-person interview at their office. However, I noticed a discrepancy in the address he was given compared to what I found online. During this interview, things took an odd turn. The interviewer asked Arthur and other applicants to make numerous unsolicited calls to people, seemingly to gather information or promote the company.
What’s more alarming is that the interviewer provided a fake website to support their questionable practices and explicitly instructed Arthur not to leave any evidence of these calls, such as text messages or voicemails. This raised my suspicion that the company might be engaging in pyramid scheme-like activities, as Arthur was being asked to make between 50 to 100 calls using his own phone, with no compensation for his time.
I am convinced this is a scam, but I lack concrete evidence to convince my friend to stop pursuing this job opportunity.
What steps can I take to help Arthur avoid working for this company?
RCadmin
It sounds like you’re genuinely concerned about your friend’s well-being and potential exploitation by this company. Here are some steps you can take to help him:
Share Your Concerns: Have an open and honest conversation with your friend. Clearly explain why you believe Kingsdale Mortgage Inc. might be operating unscrupulously. Share specific details about the interview process that raised red flags for you.
Research Together: Encourage your friend to do some research about the company. Look for reviews, news articles, or any complaints filed against them. Websites like Glassdoor, Indeed, or even social media can offer insights from other employees or job seekers.
Discuss Red Flags: Point out specific aspects of the interview process that are concerning, such as the non-payment for work and the emphasis on making unsolicited calls. Help him understand how these could indicate a pyramid scheme or scam.
Encourage Critical Thinking: Ask your friend to reflect critically on the job offer and the company practices. Encourage him to think about the ethical implications and whether this aligns with his career goals.
Seek External Opinions: Suggest that he talk to someone with more experience in the industry, such as a mentor or career advisor. An external perspective could help validate your concerns.
Suggest Alternatives: Encourage him to keep applying for other jobs and to consider positions that offer fair compensation for work. Remind him that there are many legitimate companies looking for candidates.
Respect His Decision: Ultimately, your friend has the right to make his own choices. If he decides to continue pursuing the opportunity, it’s important to be supportive while expressing your concerns.
By taking these steps, you can provide valuable support to your friend as he navigates this job search while also looking out for his best interests.