Has or does anyone here work for Enterprise Rent-A-Car?

[bamacrat]

I have been contacted by a recruiter to start interviewing for their manager trainee program. Sounds good and all...until I looked it up online and have seen nothing but people saying to stay away that is is the worst place to work. Apparently it was voted 6th most hated company by its employees. I just want to see what you guys think if anyone has any input it would be greatly appreciated. I've been through some interviews with Regions bank and am waiting to hear back, did the bg check and everything. The recruiter says Ill make more than Regions is offering but Regions gives its employees more of a life. I just want to know.

Im worried and feel like Im going to make a bad decision and hate my life.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. The Prime Directive says cars should never be loaned to developing civilizations.

[Godhumor]

2. My sister worked for Enterprise in the manager trainee program

Extremely long hours, very little pay and no chance of moving up to an actual manager role.

She didn't leave right away, either. She stayed in for a year and a half to give the company a shot at living up to all its great promises. She finally left after being hurt on the job and receiving no company support.

[bamacrat]

3. Thats pretty much what Ive been hearing.

I need a job but would rather keep looking instead of taking a job that is horrible, doesnt allow for a home life and lies to you about your opportunities. Im hoping Regions comes through.

[femmocrat]

4. My son had the same experience.

He actually worked for Enterprise in two states--- terrible place to work, but there isn't much to offer young college grads here.

There is even a website that is devoted to people telling their horror stories about employment there.

[krispos42]

9. I had an ex-girlfriend that worked for them and she had the exact same experience

She moved on to being a recruiter for a local college and she was much happier for it.

[tabbycat31]

5. I had an interview from hell with them

I was also contacted by a recruiter, and the recruiter was a complete sweetheart but the interviewer was a total bitch. She gave me the vibe that they only wanted Ivy League graduates and I was not good enough for then. I wound up walking out of the interview.

[cloudbase]

6. Somewhere out there

is a website that has all the stories about Enterprise, most of the postings from current or former employees. I don't remember the URL, but most of the postings were real horror stories.

ETA: http://www.failingenterprise.com

[bamacrat]

7. Yeah I found that site. But I need something.

Guess I'll interview and see I can always turn them down. Why must recruiters lie.

[tabbycat31]

19. your interview might not be worth your time

mine with them was not. If I had lied to them and told them I partied my way through Harvard instead of (God forbid) working my way through college, I probably would have gotten the job.

[LibDemAlways]

8. Years ago my brother signed up for a rent a car management trainee

program. I'm not sure if it was Enterprise, but he walked out the first day after the head of the program asked the group of trainees, "Do you all have your college diplomas?" When they nodded, he said, "Good. You can use them to wipe off the windows of the rentals." He thought he was being cute. My brother figured otherwise.

[hayu_lol]

10. Had experience with them only as a customer...

on frequent occasions when I needed a rental and found the staffs to be pleasant to do business with. They knew their stuff and were always very efficient. Bought one of their rentals and was amazed at the quality of the vehicle and how quickly the sale went through. This doesn't tell the whole story, but is from the outside looking in.

For someone with ambition, there are jobs further up the ladder.

Jobs/companies today are vastly different than they were a few years ago. Might be worth while to give the place a try.

[Kali]

21. same here

usually pretty good from this side of the counter, plus they let their vehicles go to Mexico unlike Alamo or Hertz :mad:

[KG]

11. 'manager trainee' = 60 weeks and 40 hr pay at alot of places.

it's why i went back to school and got some technical training.

[Dogtown]

12. Bad job with no future.

If you need a pay check really badly, take it, but there's no future there.

[hamsterjill]

13. Bad experience here, too

I have a sibling that worked for them. She was treated like dirt from day one. Expected to dress like a professional, yet also expected to clean out the filthy cars when they were returned, and continue to look professional throughout the day.

The managers also cajoled and intimidated their employees. She didn't stay long, but it was long enough for all of the family to decide we won't do business with that company.

My advice to you is to keep looking.

[bamacrat]

15. Thanks for your response.

I have heard nothing good from people who have worked for them. I am in talks with Regions but they are dragging their feet but seem to really want me. I would much rather work there, federal holidays and bank hours and all. Enterprise says they pay more but the quality of life thing is big for me.

[hamsterjill]

18. Wishing you the best of luck with Regions!

n/t

[never cry wolf]

14. I worked with them

I was working for a small architectural firm and in charge of their Enterprise account. I must have completed construction documents for 25 or 30 store in my year there. They are extremely cheap, even to their own detriment. They would lease the most god-awful properties that would cost more to renovate and bring up to code than if they spent a little more in rent for a clean space. They always wanted to cheat the codes if it saved them money.

Most rental car companies get the bulk of their business from out of towners, business or tourist. Enterprise has a presence at airports as well but a huge amount of their business comes locally, especially lower income areas where people can't afford to own a car but may need one occasionally.

Not unsurprisingly, they are a republican leaning corporation. While I was there our office was invited to their golf outing. It was to benefit the state senate republican leader. Illinois taxes car sales so Enterprise would buy out of state. The dems in the legislature devised a bill to tax these out of state imports to protect in state dealers as well as generate funds. This dude killed the bill and they were paying him back.

I dealt mainly with the real estate dept. and a number of regional managers. There were 6 regional managers for the greater Chicago area and half of them were dumber than a box of rocks.

[Arugula Latte]

16. Don't they basically hire Young Earnest Hardcore Christian types?

Or maybe that was more the case ten years ago or so.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

17. You won't hate your life very long...

because you won't be working there very long. They blow through low-level managers like you wouldn't believe.

In this economy, a job is a job. If you don't have a better offer, take it.

[Tafiti]

20. Yup, right here.

Worked there for about a year and a half in Indiana. I can answer any questions you have, via PM if you prefer.