Vantaggi
The benefits package was half-decent. Oh, and they also give you free lunch on your first day of orientation. That's about it.
Svantaggi
They say that looks can be deceiving. Well, that's certainly the case with Vertical Screen. When you first arrive at their Warminster location, you can be excused for assuming that you are about to join a company that means business. Electronic locks at the gate, a retina scanner at the entrance, a reception area with modern furniture. "I thought only Fortune 500 companies could afford such luxury!" Turns out all of this is just for show. To give the clients an illusion that this company is something more than what it truly is: a glorified call center. The first week (i.e. the training process) was easily the most enjoyable part of my tenure with the company. Not that it will adequately prepare you for the kind of work you will be expected to carry out on a day to day basis. But at least you're learning information about the company, there are frequent breaks during which you can interact with your colleagues, and if you've covered all the material for the day before the shift is technically over — they can even let you go home early. But sooner or later your training is over and you're pushed out of the nest. Or more accurately: you're thrown to the wolves. They give you a desk which has two computer screens, a phone, extremely limited space for personal belongings and... that's about it. Welcome to your new home. Or should I say 'cell'? Don't expect to receive any kind of warm welcome from your colleagues either. One day you're just placed next to a bunch of strangers, who will remain as such because it is specifically against company policy to socialize at work. That is, unless you're one of the team leads or their friends (read: a brown-noser). The double stands in this place are astounding. You can easily get written up for taking a bathroom break that last longer than two minutes while the supervisor will stop at each other's desk to wax lyrical for minutes on end. Now, are they discussing some important work-related manners that can lead to an increased productivity in the department? Haha, no. Sometimes it's some mundane small-talk. But more often than not it's gossip. Immature, disrespectful high-school level trashtalk. Seriously, I've lost count of how many times two twenty-something year old girls (the most common type of supervisor in the company) would openly ridicule myself and other employees they didn't like while standing only a few feet away from us! Management knows about this. Human Resources knows about this. Hell, I suspect even the owner of the company is well aware of the toxic atmosphere that's festering inside their company. They just don't care. But hey, lots of jobs have unpleasant coworkers and/or managers that you have to deal with on a daily basis. At least the work itself is rewarding, right? Wrong. During the interview, they told me that I would be conducting background investigations on job applicants. Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Like you're some kind detective sifting through a suspect's past to ascertain their culpability. In reality, what you are expected to do over the course of your eight hour plus shift is to search a few databases, make a couple of phone calls, and maybe send a fax/email/letter or two if you're lucky. Rinse, repeat ad nauseam. There is absolutely no room for creativity (or fun) in your job. You just feel like a robot that's expected to execute the same list of commands over and over again. The only way I was able to preserve my sanity amidst the soul-crushing routine and the repulsive colleagues is by listening to music all throughout my shift. Yes, even when performing employment verification over the phone. Because I'd rather have Megahertz blasting in one ear than listen to a bunch of immature 'Big Is Beautiful' girls cackling like hyenas behind your back. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Could a workplace so vile even exist?" I was once just as naive as you. I'd also read all about people's negative experiences with Vertical Screen but decided not to heed their warning because I needed a job. All I can tell you is that when I finally left that wretched place for good — I was walking with a Cheshire Cat grin on my face all the way to my car. It felt good to be finally free.