Like many other college graduates seeking employment in 2002, I had become very frustrated with my search. Then, one day, I receive a voice-mail from the Human Resources department for American Income, stating that they want to set up an interview for me immediately. Great! I thought, the search may be coming to an end!
I attended the interview and was told that the hiring process there required at least three interviews, and that if I was deemed eligible for the position, I would be invited back for another interview. Of course, I was invited back.
I arrived the next day, only to find that about 25 other people were also there. I was greatly discouraged by this, but bought into the pitch of making a lot of money.
Long story short, I accepted the position and began the next week. I was told that I would recieve training for my licensure. I received no training. I was told that I had to order the book and then study on my own over the next week before the exam.
After passing the exam, I began my "sales training". Up until this point, I was under the impression that I was being hired for a management position. I only discovered a couple weeks later, by accident, that no one was considered a manager-in-training as the job posting indicated, but simply contracted agents!
I was also told that my management career would be accelerated if I participated in booking interviews. This process involved calling anyone with a resume on an internet job site to offer them this "exciting opportunity". It is, as one person on this site alluded to, all scripted. We were told to lie to them when they asked questions about the position, particularly with respect to compensation (there are no salary positions available, as is stated in the script). "Anything to get them in the door" Of course, my management career never accelerated. It is based purely on performance.
The hours are indeed long. I worked about 80 hours a week, and traveled almost 200 miles a day. I was never compensated for these expenses and other expenses, including briefcase, gas, food, or even licensure. I was told during the interview that I would be given a health insurance "allowance", but I was never offered such a benefit.
The method of selling insurance there is also deceptive. Perhaps the worst part of it is the fact that we were required to call current policy holders to try and set up appointments to "go over their policy with them". Many times, their clients would be called 2-3 times a week!
I left the position on a Friday, so as to insure that I would at least receive my last paycheck for a pitiful $300, which is a far cry from the $800-$1200 that they say you can make a week in your first month. My total income while working there for two months was $1,000! Pathetic.
During my last two weeks, I avoided booking interviews by disconnecting the phone I was using, and even hiding in the copy room. I hated doing it. I hated lying to people. During my last week, I went through the motions, almost avoiding making a sale, so that I knew I wasn't leaving money on the table for them to take. As I said, I left on a Friday, so that I could ensure that I would receive my weak paycheck.
I urge anyone considering employment with this company to look elsewhere. I apologize to all of the people that I did book on interviews (10-15 I think). I apologize to all of the policy holders I hassled.
I am not revealing which state I live in or agency I worked for, because of an agreement I signed not to discourage prospective employees from joining. However, the story is the same across the country I am sure. I encourage anyone who has been ripped off by AIL to step out and report it!
Joel
Middletown, Other