High Expectations, Low Compensation
Pros
It started out well, promises galore. Was told that I could live on property with no knock to pay if I chose to, it was not mandatory to live on property but it was a perk. Was promised a decent salary at the management position. Benefits are offered to all full time employees after a probationary period.
Cons
There was an upper management switch about halfway through employment with this company. After the switch a lot changed. The option of living on property was rescinded, but all current employees living on property were allowed to keep their perk allowing for a huge discrepancy in compensation among employees. (Housing and bills, such as electric, water, trash, and internet, can account for as little as 12000 dollars a year.) They expect professional business attire while employees are expected to clean out units, do landscaping, clean out rental trucks, and act as a maintenance person while attempting to rent units. They also have a certain "look" they want their employees to have. They are not going to hire you if you do not fit their "image". Don't expect to be hired if you are overweight, or have any features that aren't "pretty". Benefits are a joke. Expect to spend a lot of money for the least amount they can offer. They do not offer an option for dependents that does not cost a fortune (no company share offer). Be prepared to be paid the lowest amount possible, without a raise. "It is only storage"-even though you wear many different hats and are responsible for every aspect of your property. There are no bonus programs and even though you rent trucks (like Penske, Uhaul, or Budget) and the company gets a commission off your rentals, you see nothing for your efforts. If you are looking to be an "office assistant" or "assistant property manager" expect to only have a part time job. Also expect to be treated as disposable labor. If the company runs a contest that will pay out money, don't expect to see a dime if your property/area wins. Even though you helped win, only property managers will reap the reward. They recently cut all assistants hours to under the minimum 30 hours a week required for benefits. Also don't expect this to be a career, the most you will probably ever see promotion-wise will be to a salaried property manager position and that is not worth the effort. All managers that are on salary are not allowed to take lunch away from the property. They provide refrigerators and microwaves so you can keep the office open at all times. But if you do not have your assistant around because you don't have enough hours to give, you must juggle keeping your property maintained and the office open. Heaven forbid you get a "secret shopper" during one of these times. You could lose your job for the office being closed when the "shopper" shows up. They want a PGA golf course look on a shoe string budget, be prepared to plant your own landscaping and keep everything watered, green and growing with no irrigation systems even when you are in a drought stricken area. You are expected to maintain an "I can eat off the floor", dust free clean property. (You work somewhere that has big garages for people to put their junk in.<baffled>) Corporate visits are frequent and don't expect them to talk to you about any issues or concerns they have. They will tell you to your face that everything looks great, then go to your area manager and tell them all the problems they have with you/ your property. This company is all about lining upper management's pockets. You are nothing more than a number to them.