When I was working as an intern the company was into a group called PSI Seminars.
They are also into Tony Robbins.
When I didn’t finish PSI Basic everything changed. I had no future there.
How can I explain to a future potential employer that my last employer was in a cult without looking unprofessional?
I highly think they are going to throw me under the bus if used as a reference.
I am going to go against the grain of conventional advice and say you should just outline it like you did here. I have been in the position of hiring people before. I much prefer to know the real reason why someone left a company. Granted, if someone says “my boss was an asshole”, I would probably just see that as likely making excuses. But, if someone says “I left because I was subjected to verbal and emotional harassment by my boss, and if you want me to provide specific examples I can do so”, that’s actually information I would prefer to know. I think your situation falls into that later example for sure.
The idea that you should never speak ill of a former employer regardless of the circumstances IMO is bad advice.
In general it really does depend on the interviewer. I was honest and open about how my new manager at my last job fucked over the team and myself, with specific details, and it led to good conversations during the interview process for the place I’m at now.
Yes, I think my advice applies more to an interview than something you would put down on paper on a questionnaire.
That is refreshing to hear. Thanks.
I think a lot of companies operate on similar principles to a cult. When it benefits them, they say they are like a family. When it doesn’t, know you can be replaced in an instant. People who don’t have a life outside of work, or they do but it involves people from work almost exclusively. And companies that have cult-like ideas or ideals. Even some aspects of professionalism (such as dress code or uniforms) are cult-like in nature. The military sees value in dehumanising people, by making them simple cogs in the machine, and private industry likes to emulate this.
The question is, can you leave? A true cult won’t let you. That’s the difference with a lot of companies. If you get out, you are basically out. They may not re-hire you, but they shouldn’t interfere with your life beyond that point. Cults absolutely will.
They are part of an LGAT which is cult like. I left already without finishing the internship.
I started reading wikipedia articles to figure out what all that is, and I still don’t get it lol. Honestly, I’d try not to get too into the weeds - it might derail the interview into trying to explain all this.
A reference is usually just to confirm the dates you worked there. They can’t badmouth you.
They can’t badmouth you.
the law isn’t some binding geass cast on us all at birth forcing compliance in all acts
Step 1: probe what they think of Tony Robbins
Had a similar situation happen at one of my old workplaces. Super culty. You’ll survive.
In addition to what others said (namely, that companies tend not to give “references” anymore, but instead give “verification”, which is where they confirm the dates of employment), if you need references, I recommend getting coworkers who liked you to write a letter of recommendation and send it directly to you for you to include with your job applications.
You can whip up a “letter of recommendation” template to send to your work friends, then just ask them not to include a date on their letter. I’ve been reusing some old letters of recommendation for years and future employers seem to appreciate that I include them in my app.
Did you attend any. meetings? What makes them worse than standard fare?
I’m not negating you, the website just doesn’t shed much light on what makes them different.
I attempted to attend PSI Basic which is on the weekend. Three 10 hour days. On the second day I was feeling really fatigued so I just went home and slept nine hours. Two days later I came down with a cold or flu. I think they wanted me to persevere and will my mind to continue on.
Sounds like you dodged a bullet. Sorry you have to deal with that and the aftereffects.
