Lessons Learned While Job Hunting

I wanted to point out that even though many of us are looking for work, it doesn't mean we have to be desperate. Like all of you, I am networking, using social media, and applying to jobs I see on job boards and LinkedIn. About a week ago, there was a job with a company called The Veltrim Group for a Senior Petroleum Engineer. They offered to let you apply online here or send in a resume to an e-mail. I sent one in on e-mail. About 3 days later, I received a call from a California number asking if I wanted to do a phone interview. Of course I said yes.

The next day I did a 30 minute interview with a gentleman who did not have English as a first language. It was tough to understand him at times, but we muddled through. According to him, he came away very impressed and was going to recommend me for the job. He mentioned that there was a 6 month class in London to learn all about the company. They are international consultants that work for the big boys (Exxon, Shell, Aramco, etc.). Who wouldn't want to live in London for 6 months while getting paid for it.

About 3 days later, I received an e-mail that said the job was in Houston but international travel would be required. They attached an employment contract. The e-mail had several misspellings and misuses of the English language. The terms were ridiculous to my benefit. Great money, great vacation, 6 months in London, a car. I would be making 40% more than I was making when I was laid off. It is hard to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I started to do my due diligence.

There was no phone number on the website. The phone they called from in California is a cell phone, and it is listed as the main number for their Santa Barbara location. Both addresses didn't check out. The Santa Barbara one was a house that was on zillow. The London location was supposedly in The Shard (huge office building). The floor they listed was occupied by apartments. None of the principals checked out. If you googled The Veltrim Group, the only thing that came up was their website and several job postings. Their CEO appears nowhere. Their HR director is only on LinkedIn. I asked to speak to my supervisor just to see what they would say. They came back with a letter today saying I didn't have a supervisor yet, and they would appoint one in the coming weeks. There was no offer to let me speak to anyone in London. They asked if I was still interested. I told them that I couldn't verify they even existed, so I said no. It was tough letting all that money go. Also the job would have been intense but very interesting. They had a very detailed job description.

I am still not sure what the scam was. Possibly they would have switched the contracts out for something that wouldn't have benefited me once they got my signature. There were no initials on each of the pages, so this could have happened. I just knew I didn't want to take the chance. I have several other things in the pipeline, and there is the PhD thing to fall back on if I don't get the job I want. I have already applied to several schools and at least one has said I will be admitted. I have my choice selected, but it will depend on if I'm admitted there.

I just know I'm not willing to settle for just anything even if it seems like a good thing. I'm glad I did my due diligence. Hard to hold still this time of year while things continue to happen. The holidays may be rough, but if all works out, I will have a job soon.