Universal Protection - Los Angeles Unprofessional Company you should avoid Los Angeles, California

I have been in the private security industry for 17 years all of which I have had high level positions in security management. I recently found myself unemployed and decided to apply for a position as "Security Director" advertised out of the Los Angeles office. I have done security director positions many times for other companies and I knew this position would be simple for me.

I completed the online application which is cumbersome. I had also completed their "online assessment" during a previous application. BTW, the online assessment is by far the most stupid thing I've ever seen. OK, if you're screening for position that pay more but in general you're hiring mostly entry level people at $8-10 an hour.

A few days after I submitted my online application I received an email for an interview. It came from a clerk in their office and only said I could come in at my convenience between 8:00-4:30 M-F. It contained the office address but no phone number to call back.

I responded to the email to confirm because I wanted more instructions (what's the best time, where is parking etc.). I received no response. Since I had another interview a few miles away I chose to go to this one a couple hours before the other and kill two birds with one stone.

Keep in mind the office is in downtown Los Angeles in the financial district. If haven't been there before or haven't been there in a long time it's one of the hardest places to navigate and find parking. Most streets are one way and there are a ton of people all over the place. Upon arriving I didn't immediately notice a parking lot for the company so I pulled over and called them. They told me they do not have parking for guest. I asked what they suggested and the woman told me to park 2 blocks away and I'd have to pay $5-6 with no validations.

I already sensed this wasn't going to be good because professional companies always validate for candidates THEY ask to come in or they at least tell you the situation beforehand. So against my better judgment I paid $6 to park 2 blocks away.

When I entered the building I met the receptionist who gave me a lame entry level form and asked me to write down my observations in their lobby like I was some kind of entry level kid. I asked, "Are you sure? I'm here to interview for the director position". To which she said everyone has to do it. Very unprofessional to be asking management candidates to fill out entry level forms.

Again, against my better judgment, I completed the form and returned it to her. She pecked at her computer for a moment and said, "It appears you took our online assessment in 2010. I need you to take it again before anyone can talk to you". With a firm smile I said, "I took the assessment online and if I remember correctly, when I finished, it said I wouldn't have to take it again. As she looked at me dumbfounded I asked how long it would take to do it again and she said it's 150 (+/-) questions. With that I said no thank you I am no  longer interested in anything to do with Universal Protection and left.

My point in this gripe is, if you're going to call yourself a professional security service company act like one. Give candidates good instructions and communication. Let them know exactly how to get there and where to park. If you don't validate, say so. Don't make management candidates fill out lame entry level forms that waste their time. This is how you treat professionals and they in turn might have good things to say about their experience. I have absolutely no interest in ever working for this company and based on other reviews I would say my experience is not unique.