Pros
- It's a job - that pays above minimum wage. Will you be able to move out of mom's basement? No. - Co-workers are hit/miss. Some are naturally motivated, while others you wonder how they function in society. - If you are placed at a "good" site, then it makes your life easier. On a "good" site, the employer is usually nice, maybe even happy on most days, and will actually speak to you. - You do get vacation time, and it's cumulative over the number of years you stay here. This is FAR better than most security companies who treat employees like chattel, at Apollo you can earn up 3 weeks in 5 years (4 at 10), try getting that at ANY other non-government contractor security company. - Schedules are set for full-timers, no mixing of days and hours (not so for "floaters"). - If you're doing this kind of work, at least you're employed, many others are not. Either that, or your career derailed/outsourced, and you have no other options. - Easiest job you will ever be paid for (outside of connected government cronies). They do not do parking lots, mostly corporate accounts only - huge plus. Although there might be a detail to cover, and sometimes you may get paid extra.
Cons
- Again, it's a job, but it's a security job that even the funniest parody's are true for those you work with. - Benefits: Really bad outside of vacation. Health insurance is super expensive (thank Congress), and the 401k IS NOT matched at any level. There is no short/long term disability, no sick days, no personal days, typical of security companies. - If you are placed at a "bad" site, your life will be miserable. The people you work for may be mean (maybe their life sucks too), and will not hesitate to take their anger out on you, possibly remove you. - Your fellow employees that don't care may cost you your job. Sometimes your co-workers are REALLY bad, and it will show when contract negotiations come up, the company loses the site and you're out of a job. Nice. - For career opportunities, this is the end of the road, although most are in denial. There is simply no place else to go, as going to McDonald's is the only thing keeping you from contemplating suicide. There is simply no growth here, it is a career DEAD END. - Even though pay is higher than other companies, it's still keeps you destitute. Depending on your family size and work status, you may even qualify for government benefits. At some point, you need to realize you will NEVER get a raise if you meet the mythical salary cap here - and that bar is low. Dreams of making more here should be dashed if you're reading this review, this is the end of the line in terms of earnings potential. At least at a McDonald's you have a slight chance of owning your own franchise, not here. - The longer you stay here, the less chances of ever getting whatever career you had. Any HR rep will see this on a resume and immediately pigeon hole it (I would). Unless you do something way out of the norm in this job, for the client, which is extremely rare, once again, this is a DEAD END. Finally, remember this well: THERE IS NO JOB SECURITY, IN SECURITY. This job is completely reliant on Apollo's relationship with clients and the performance of its people, and of course, the balance sheet bottom line.