by emily64
Sat Nov 01, 2014 6:20 pm
Wow, okay this one was a difficult one. I've never been employed before so coming across a job that was beneficial to my future career AND one that pays well from my home was an awesome find.. or was it? Seeing as how I’ve never had a job before, I’m a little bit inexperienced to almost anything and everything. I applied for a job listing on internships.com. They messaged me back and said that I needed a gmail account so that I can get on hangouts to get further information.
At first the job listing was “Data entry clerk” for ALLH. Then they changed it to Administrative Support.
It was online and I’m an accounting major and the requirements weren’t that much. I decided to apply for it. Just for kicks.
I added the HR manager and I sent her an IM through hangouts.
First she introduced herself and asked for my full name and present location so that I can be registered.
She went through the company’s history and then told me I had to do an online interview. When asked when she wanted to schedule the interview she said right now. I asked for a rain check and she complied.
The following is our interview:
(Full time/Part time) which do you prefer as we currently have both available?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:03 PM
Part time as I also have school responsibilities but would definitely be able to do both.
Mon, 6:04 PM
Ok, noted.
How long have you been Job hunting?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:05 PM
I've been job hunting for about two weeks.
Mon, 6:06 PM
Ok
Are you currently employed ?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:08 PM
Yes, I teach kids how to take care of and ride horses for an hour or two about every other week.
Mon, 6:09 PM
Ok
Why do you want this job?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:10 PM
The company's and mine's objections are almost identical. Putting others first has always been my number one top priority. You've told me that you, the company, reaches out to others in the pharmaceutical department, giving them the attention they deserve. I would love to be a part of this business as it continues to grow and do great things.
Mon, 6:11 PM
Ok
Are you aware this is strictly an online and work from home job?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:13 PM
Yes I am. This is convenient for me as well, since I am available to use my computer even when I am at school so if something needs to be done I can do it almost immediately.
Mon, 6:14 PM
Ok
How many hours will you be able to devote for the company daily?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:17 PM
I would be able to devote at least 4 hours every day.
Mon, 6:21 PM
Ok, noted.
How would you describe yourself?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:21 PM
I am someone who has a very creative mind. When I come up with plans I make sure that every possible angle and outcome is looked at so that I may choose the best possible way of going about things in that particular situation.
Mon, 6:24 PM
Ok
Give a good example of the way you set goals and get them.
Heather
•
Mon, 6:26 PM
First, I would create and set a goal that is valuable and relevant in my life and or job. I would make sure I would write them down and then write the steps to completing that goal. One by one I would mark off leading me closer to completing it.
Mon, 6:31 PM
OK
What was the last project you headed up, and what was its outcome?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:31 PM
From personal experience, a previous horse trainer gave me one of her kids to teach. She had been riding for about a year but she couldn't do much on her own and came with a lot of bad habits. By the end of her 3rd month riding with me, she was able to do almost everything by herself under my complete instruction and supervision.
Mon, 6:38 PM
OK
Have you worked as an accounting clerk /payroll officer /Customer service or data entry clerk before ?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:40 PM
I have not, no.
Mon, 6:40 PM
Ok
Do you have a printer, scanner, and a copier?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:42 PM
I do. All 3 in working order.
Mon, 6:43 PM
Ok
How much training do you think you need to become a productive employee? (We offer a week training once you have been employed)
Heather
•
Mon, 6:43 PM
A weeks time with a supervisor/trainer would be sufficient. I pick up on things quickly and if I am able to be hands on while training I am able to understand the job easier and quicker that way.
Mon, 6:45 PM
Ok, good.
Give me an example that best describes your organizatonal skills?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:48 PM
For school and teaching horse lessons, I have a journal/planner. Everything that I need to do get's written in it with dates and specific times so that I am able to follow it to a tee.
Mon, 6:50 PM
Ok
How long are you expected to work for us if hired ?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:51 PM
You stated in the job details via internships.com that it would be until 11/03/15. I am perfectly capable of working until that date or even further than that if needed.
Mon, 6:53 PM
Ok
How do you handle work under pressure?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:54 PM
If there is a lot of work that needs to be done, I usually prioritize it. I will take the most important task, finish it, and then move on to the next. If there are smaller tasks that needs to be done I can divide my attention up so that I can get both of those done in the time it would take me to get one done. When I know everything is organized it keeps the stress level down for everyone involved, keeping the atmosphere more relaxed rather than hyped up so that others and myself are able to get the tasks done efficiently.
Mon, 6:59 PM
Good.
What is your greatest strength and weakness?
Heather
•
Mon, 7:08 PM
My greatest strength is that my time management skills are excellent. I'm well organized and efficient. When I set a schedule I'm going to follow it through 100%. My weakness is that I've had difficulty with taking graded tests. I get extremely anxious therefore I don't always exceed in the testing area. However, I have realized that working myself up will not only work against me, but also work against my future. I am now able to relax and focus at the task at hand, trying not to hold myself to an extreme standard for the grade. Resulting in a better effort in turn, an overall improved grade.
Mon, 7:12 PM
OK
What kind of goals would you have in mind if you got this job?
Heather
•
Mon, 7:13 PM
Being able to finish the work in an organized, timely manner and making sure the customers leave satisfied with my support work.
Mon, 7:15 PM
OK
Do you have an idea of how to use ms excel and Do you know your typing speed?
Heather
•
Mon, 7:18 PM
Yes. I'm taking a class on how to use Excel at the moment and currently hold an A in the class. My typing speed is 80 WPM.
Mon, 7:19 PM
Good.
What do you understand by petty cash and what do you understand by privacy and code of conduct?
Heather
•
Mon, 7:19 PM
Petty cash is a small amount of cash on hand that is used for paying small amounts owed. An example would be reimbursing $20 for buying your groceries while they were out shopping. Privacy is the right for an individual to have complete confidentiality from anyone outside of those whole hold and record that particular information. Code of conduct is the set rules for responsibilities and practices of the company and it's employees. I understand that breaching this will result in disciplinary action and should not be taken lightly.
Mon, 7:25 PM
Ok, good.
Give me 3 genuine and specific reasons why you should be hired by the company.
Heather
•
Mon, 7:26 PM
I take pride in my patience. Any kind of repetitive, tedious work I can handle. When I type, I reread everything so that I can maintain full accuracy. As previously stated before, my typing speed is 80 WPM with little to no errors at all. I will be able to get the job done quick and efficiently but most importantly, accurate. Being patient also has a great deal with being able to enter data since sometimes you may have to be more patient with a customer who doesn't understand, or someone else who doesn't know a certain piece of information. Rather than having a short fuse, going about it patiently and calmly will give the customer security and happiness that the job is being taken care of and that there is no need to worry. I am diligent and show care and constant effort in making sure that the job gets done right.
Mon, 7:30 PM
Good.
How would you like to be paid if been offered this position. Via Direct Deposit, Credit card or check, what means of payment would you prefer weekly or Bi weekly?
Heather
•
Mon, 7:32 PM
I would like to be able to be paid via direct deposit weekly.
Mon, 7:36 PM
OK, noted.
Alright, we have come to the end of this interview session.
No red flags while this goes on since there’s no errors at all. And if there is, it’s too a minimal. She also does not ask me for my age (which I have found out that it’s illegal for employers to ask that kind of information). The very next day she congratulated me by telling me I’ve been hired, blah blah. I signed a letter of employment. Then she asked me what bank was and how long I’ve been with them. Today I found out that this is a red flag if they ask your bank. They told me they would send me a check so that I may get the software programs needed for my work. They explained that the reason behind them sending me the check, depositing it into my account, and then getting the programs myself would be much easier and faster than if the company sent all of it to me.
I was thinking okay that makes sense. I got an email from my supervisor and we exchanged a few email’s when he gave me a tracking number for a check.
These are the softwares to be purchased he listed in the email:
SAGE 50 COMPLETE ACCOUNTING,ACCOUNTEDGE,CYMA,QuickBooks Pro ,NetSuite Small Business 9.5 , Bookkeeper 2012,Simply Accounting Pro 2011,BS 1 Accounting software ,myob business essentials software 2011,For Peach Tree premium 2010 US Patent Single Users Pack, simply accounting 2010,Apple Final Cut Express 3.5 HD Upgrade,Norton Ghost 9.0, Standard Upgrade,Peach tree Premium Accounting 2011
When I read all of that I was look God. They are going to kill my computer with all of this. So I decided to do some research and see how big they were, how much they cost, ect. When I came up to myob business essentials software 2011 I came across this forum. Reading many of the postings I realized that this scamming like this was not an uncommon occurrence. I decided to further my investigation by first emailing the company from their official site. I got an “out of office” reply which basically means they have officially received my letter and will be looked at and replied to as soon as possible. I then tracked the IP address from first the HR manager, and found out it came from somewhere in California. I tracked the IP from the training department and it came from the same place. I also checked the tracking number for the check and noticed it came from Maryland. There are no offices for Alliance Healthcare there. I tracked the IP address from the out of office reply from the official site and since it wasn’t from a certain computer there was no IP to be given but comparing the two aside I noticed something.
This is from the Alliance Healthcare site:
Received: from alliance-healthcare.co.uk (mailhost.alliance-healthcare.co.uk. [IP ADDRESS])
This is from both the HR manager:
Received: from smtprelay.b.hostedemail.com (smtprelayer0135.b.hostedemail.com. [xx.xx.xx.135])
This is from the training department:
Received: from smtprelay.b.hostedemail.com (smtprelayer0135.b.hostedemail.com. [xx.xx.xx.50])
Even though the two are different IP addresses, they both came from the same exact originating IP.
When I messaged the HR manager asking about this she said that another office mailed the check out in the US for US trainees to get their money in time for training. When I asked about the same IP addresses she completely side tracked telling me that they need to protect the reputation of this company and that they are in no way shape or form associated with fraud behavior. She basically told me that it was none of my business researching IP addresses and that, and I quote, “Get your mind of that and focus so you can get connected with other trainees on your team”. When I asked again about the IP’s she logged off.
At first the job listing was “Data entry clerk” for ALLH. Then they changed it to Administrative Support.
It was online and I’m an accounting major and the requirements weren’t that much. I decided to apply for it. Just for kicks.
I added the HR manager and I sent her an IM through hangouts.
First she introduced herself and asked for my full name and present location so that I can be registered.
She went through the company’s history and then told me I had to do an online interview. When asked when she wanted to schedule the interview she said right now. I asked for a rain check and she complied.
The following is our interview:
(Full time/Part time) which do you prefer as we currently have both available?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:03 PM
Part time as I also have school responsibilities but would definitely be able to do both.
Mon, 6:04 PM
Ok, noted.
How long have you been Job hunting?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:05 PM
I've been job hunting for about two weeks.
Mon, 6:06 PM
Ok
Are you currently employed ?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:08 PM
Yes, I teach kids how to take care of and ride horses for an hour or two about every other week.
Mon, 6:09 PM
Ok
Why do you want this job?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:10 PM
The company's and mine's objections are almost identical. Putting others first has always been my number one top priority. You've told me that you, the company, reaches out to others in the pharmaceutical department, giving them the attention they deserve. I would love to be a part of this business as it continues to grow and do great things.
Mon, 6:11 PM
Ok
Are you aware this is strictly an online and work from home job?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:13 PM
Yes I am. This is convenient for me as well, since I am available to use my computer even when I am at school so if something needs to be done I can do it almost immediately.
Mon, 6:14 PM
Ok
How many hours will you be able to devote for the company daily?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:17 PM
I would be able to devote at least 4 hours every day.
Mon, 6:21 PM
Ok, noted.
How would you describe yourself?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:21 PM
I am someone who has a very creative mind. When I come up with plans I make sure that every possible angle and outcome is looked at so that I may choose the best possible way of going about things in that particular situation.
Mon, 6:24 PM
Ok
Give a good example of the way you set goals and get them.
Heather
•
Mon, 6:26 PM
First, I would create and set a goal that is valuable and relevant in my life and or job. I would make sure I would write them down and then write the steps to completing that goal. One by one I would mark off leading me closer to completing it.
Mon, 6:31 PM
OK
What was the last project you headed up, and what was its outcome?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:31 PM
From personal experience, a previous horse trainer gave me one of her kids to teach. She had been riding for about a year but she couldn't do much on her own and came with a lot of bad habits. By the end of her 3rd month riding with me, she was able to do almost everything by herself under my complete instruction and supervision.
Mon, 6:38 PM
OK
Have you worked as an accounting clerk /payroll officer /Customer service or data entry clerk before ?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:40 PM
I have not, no.
Mon, 6:40 PM
Ok
Do you have a printer, scanner, and a copier?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:42 PM
I do. All 3 in working order.
Mon, 6:43 PM
Ok
How much training do you think you need to become a productive employee? (We offer a week training once you have been employed)
Heather
•
Mon, 6:43 PM
A weeks time with a supervisor/trainer would be sufficient. I pick up on things quickly and if I am able to be hands on while training I am able to understand the job easier and quicker that way.
Mon, 6:45 PM
Ok, good.
Give me an example that best describes your organizatonal skills?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:48 PM
For school and teaching horse lessons, I have a journal/planner. Everything that I need to do get's written in it with dates and specific times so that I am able to follow it to a tee.
Mon, 6:50 PM
Ok
How long are you expected to work for us if hired ?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:51 PM
You stated in the job details via internships.com that it would be until 11/03/15. I am perfectly capable of working until that date or even further than that if needed.
Mon, 6:53 PM
Ok
How do you handle work under pressure?
Heather
•
Mon, 6:54 PM
If there is a lot of work that needs to be done, I usually prioritize it. I will take the most important task, finish it, and then move on to the next. If there are smaller tasks that needs to be done I can divide my attention up so that I can get both of those done in the time it would take me to get one done. When I know everything is organized it keeps the stress level down for everyone involved, keeping the atmosphere more relaxed rather than hyped up so that others and myself are able to get the tasks done efficiently.
Mon, 6:59 PM
Good.
What is your greatest strength and weakness?
Heather
•
Mon, 7:08 PM
My greatest strength is that my time management skills are excellent. I'm well organized and efficient. When I set a schedule I'm going to follow it through 100%. My weakness is that I've had difficulty with taking graded tests. I get extremely anxious therefore I don't always exceed in the testing area. However, I have realized that working myself up will not only work against me, but also work against my future. I am now able to relax and focus at the task at hand, trying not to hold myself to an extreme standard for the grade. Resulting in a better effort in turn, an overall improved grade.
Mon, 7:12 PM
OK
What kind of goals would you have in mind if you got this job?
Heather
•
Mon, 7:13 PM
Being able to finish the work in an organized, timely manner and making sure the customers leave satisfied with my support work.
Mon, 7:15 PM
OK
Do you have an idea of how to use ms excel and Do you know your typing speed?
Heather
•
Mon, 7:18 PM
Yes. I'm taking a class on how to use Excel at the moment and currently hold an A in the class. My typing speed is 80 WPM.
Mon, 7:19 PM
Good.
What do you understand by petty cash and what do you understand by privacy and code of conduct?
Heather
•
Mon, 7:19 PM
Petty cash is a small amount of cash on hand that is used for paying small amounts owed. An example would be reimbursing $20 for buying your groceries while they were out shopping. Privacy is the right for an individual to have complete confidentiality from anyone outside of those whole hold and record that particular information. Code of conduct is the set rules for responsibilities and practices of the company and it's employees. I understand that breaching this will result in disciplinary action and should not be taken lightly.
Mon, 7:25 PM
Ok, good.
Give me 3 genuine and specific reasons why you should be hired by the company.
Heather
•
Mon, 7:26 PM
I take pride in my patience. Any kind of repetitive, tedious work I can handle. When I type, I reread everything so that I can maintain full accuracy. As previously stated before, my typing speed is 80 WPM with little to no errors at all. I will be able to get the job done quick and efficiently but most importantly, accurate. Being patient also has a great deal with being able to enter data since sometimes you may have to be more patient with a customer who doesn't understand, or someone else who doesn't know a certain piece of information. Rather than having a short fuse, going about it patiently and calmly will give the customer security and happiness that the job is being taken care of and that there is no need to worry. I am diligent and show care and constant effort in making sure that the job gets done right.
Mon, 7:30 PM
Good.
How would you like to be paid if been offered this position. Via Direct Deposit, Credit card or check, what means of payment would you prefer weekly or Bi weekly?
Heather
•
Mon, 7:32 PM
I would like to be able to be paid via direct deposit weekly.
Mon, 7:36 PM
OK, noted.
Alright, we have come to the end of this interview session.
No red flags while this goes on since there’s no errors at all. And if there is, it’s too a minimal. She also does not ask me for my age (which I have found out that it’s illegal for employers to ask that kind of information). The very next day she congratulated me by telling me I’ve been hired, blah blah. I signed a letter of employment. Then she asked me what bank was and how long I’ve been with them. Today I found out that this is a red flag if they ask your bank. They told me they would send me a check so that I may get the software programs needed for my work. They explained that the reason behind them sending me the check, depositing it into my account, and then getting the programs myself would be much easier and faster than if the company sent all of it to me.
I was thinking okay that makes sense. I got an email from my supervisor and we exchanged a few email’s when he gave me a tracking number for a check.
These are the softwares to be purchased he listed in the email:
SAGE 50 COMPLETE ACCOUNTING,ACCOUNTEDGE,CYMA,QuickBooks Pro ,NetSuite Small Business 9.5 , Bookkeeper 2012,Simply Accounting Pro 2011,BS 1 Accounting software ,myob business essentials software 2011,For Peach Tree premium 2010 US Patent Single Users Pack, simply accounting 2010,Apple Final Cut Express 3.5 HD Upgrade,Norton Ghost 9.0, Standard Upgrade,Peach tree Premium Accounting 2011
When I read all of that I was look God. They are going to kill my computer with all of this. So I decided to do some research and see how big they were, how much they cost, ect. When I came up to myob business essentials software 2011 I came across this forum. Reading many of the postings I realized that this scamming like this was not an uncommon occurrence. I decided to further my investigation by first emailing the company from their official site. I got an “out of office” reply which basically means they have officially received my letter and will be looked at and replied to as soon as possible. I then tracked the IP address from first the HR manager, and found out it came from somewhere in California. I tracked the IP from the training department and it came from the same place. I also checked the tracking number for the check and noticed it came from Maryland. There are no offices for Alliance Healthcare there. I tracked the IP address from the out of office reply from the official site and since it wasn’t from a certain computer there was no IP to be given but comparing the two aside I noticed something.
This is from the Alliance Healthcare site:
Received: from alliance-healthcare.co.uk (mailhost.alliance-healthcare.co.uk. [IP ADDRESS])
This is from both the HR manager:
Received: from smtprelay.b.hostedemail.com (smtprelayer0135.b.hostedemail.com. [xx.xx.xx.135])
This is from the training department:
Received: from smtprelay.b.hostedemail.com (smtprelayer0135.b.hostedemail.com. [xx.xx.xx.50])
Even though the two are different IP addresses, they both came from the same exact originating IP.
When I messaged the HR manager asking about this she said that another office mailed the check out in the US for US trainees to get their money in time for training. When I asked about the same IP addresses she completely side tracked telling me that they need to protect the reputation of this company and that they are in no way shape or form associated with fraud behavior. She basically told me that it was none of my business researching IP addresses and that, and I quote, “Get your mind of that and focus so you can get connected with other trainees on your team”. When I asked again about the IP’s she logged off.
