I had been with Allied Barton for over three years. And in that time period you would think that I would have been offered a chance to advance to a higher degree of responsibility like account manager. You would think that after three years I would receive a raise or a pat on the back every now and then. Forget about it. If you're not in the account managers' "inner circle" advancement is not in your future. And if you're over 50 years old, regardless of your experience or years with Allied Barton, you're staying put in a dead end job. Kiss up to a connected account manager long enough by doing some dirty work for them like setting up a guard that they want to get rid of by bringing charges of misconduct or complaining in secret that the "target" guard's work is all of a sudden not up to par with Allied Barton standards. (So that they can fire the "target" guard and not have to pay unemployment benefits.) Or if the "inner circle" really likes you they will invite you to their company award ceremonies and award you with achievement plaques that you didn't earn or deserve. Maybe they'll invite you to go with them to the gun range or out to frequent the local pub to lift a couple of 16 ounce curls. Most of the account managers with Allied Barton are between the ages of 30 to 40ish. Sites supervisors can be as young as 20 to 30. My last three site managers were in that age range. Hired off the street with no security guard experience. No life experience to even start to have an idea of what public relations and dealing with the public is all about. And no desire to do the job other than to collect a paycheck. So when you hear the complaint that your supervisor and/or account manager lacks people skills, this is the reason why and is part of the problem. They are ill trained, immature, and inexperienced. Yet Allied Barton promotes these folks over a more qualified candidate.
My first site supervisor only got the job and position because he was related in some way to the property management client. Family, close friend, unknown. And I believe that hiring this individual was a condition that Allied Barton had to hire this individual in order to secure the account. He almost got fired for losing a site employee's FedEx package. He dodged that bullet and then ended up getting an award for most improved guard and had only been in the security field for only THREE MONTHS! He subsequently quit to work for another security company after successfully negotiating a raise for himself and implementing amendments to our existing post orders that even he would not carry out. The next manager was a military vet with a college degree and under 30 years old. Stayed less than six months. Got a job in her related field according to her degree. The last supervisor was in their early 20's. Didn't give a damn about the account other than collecting a paycheck. The Client constantly complained about his poor performance and how he was not doing his job. It fell on deaf ears with the account manager who doesn't answer his phone calls and is only available during business hours. Allied Barton lost the account!
Not once was I asked to take over even though as I was the better candidate. I did get a pat on the back though for holding down the account during the transition period between supervisor #2 and supervisor #3.
Nonetheless folks. If you honestly believe that Allied Barton promotes from within and that you will receive advancement for your growth and achievement with the company, you'll be bitterly disappointed. If you are over 50 years old, their is no advancement, no gratitude. You're a target waiting to be put out into the streets with no safely net, no job, and not eligible for unemployment insurance.
Good luck!
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