I’ve got a video interview with a recruiter next week, and yes I’ve read the countless bad reviews regarding Keypoint, even with everything telling me to run, I think I’m still going to try and take the opportunity. I’m a vet and a recent grad so I feel like there’s a good shot I can get the job.
I’ve been working in the firearms industry for the last year and a half and I’m tired of working under a fluorescent lamp that’s powered by my soul. I feel like this would be a good opportunity for me to get some ‘investigative’ experience. Does anyone have any advice on what I can expect during the video interview? Any other insight as to what life would be like working for Keypoint would be greatly appreciated.
Yes, don’t do it and consider the other major contractors instead if you’re really set on getting into this work, otherwise you won’t even have a soul to power any type of lamp.
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Best to leave on your own accord, and then try the new contracts- less stressful from what I heard …
Are you currently working with Keypoint? If you are how is it?
I interviewed with Keypoint about 7 months ago and it wasn’t so bad. It last a half hour and it was a standard interview. There was nothing exceptional about it. I was offered the job but had to turn it down.
Currently with Keypoint now, only been on the job for a few months. To be honest, I’m still undecided as to whether or not it is as bad as the reviews. So far I haven’t felt overworked. I only work 9-5, Mon - Fri and I’m usually able to complete everything I’ve been assigned. I think I’ve only heard from my field manager about 2 or 3 times since I’ve started, she seems pretty good and doesn’t seem to bother anyone unless they aren’t getting their work done on time. As long as you utilize proactive communication I have hadn’t any issues with management.
The training was 2 weeks online from home and then 2 weeks in Loveland, Colorado. They’ll put you up in an extended stay hotel and they also pay a per diem which was 42 dollars a day if I remember correctly. The classroom training isn’t too bad, they throw a lot at you but they also offer study sessions at the hotel meeting room in the evening, and you are authorized overtime for those study sessions. There’s a test the first week of class which doesn’t count against you, it’s more of a progress exam. You’ll be required to pass a “final” exam at the end of the second week in Colorado, if you don’t pass with an 80 or better then you’re pretty much fired. There is a make up test you can take but it depends on what score you got on the final and whether the instructors think you’ve been taking initiative and participating in class.
After colorado was 2 weeks of OJT where some dude showed up to my house every day and rode around with me, he was cool but he wasn’t too fond of the job.
Other then that, it’s not too bad. I haven’t felt like I would have to work off the clock just to stay on top like some reviews on indeed or glassdoor have mentioned. I guess it just depends on your area how much you’ll be assigned. If you have issues because you feel overwhelmed, just reach out to a field manager and tell them so.
And no, I’m not some corporate lackey trying to praise keypoint. When I applied for this job i read every review and did as much research as I could, all the while asking myself why I was going into this if everything seemed so bad. I’m a military vet and a recent college grad but this is my first “real” job so I definitely plan on using the experience as a stepping stone. So far it pays the bills and I like not being tied to one spot all day. The flexible schedule is nice because I can fit in my personal errands between meetings. Sometimes I work a few extra hours throughout the week and that let’s me take most of Friday off, so that’s nice.
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Hey, someone’s gotta close out these cases.
Pretty much. I think I applied with Keypoint around May, interviewed in June, was offered the position and I accepted it. Filled out e-QIP around that time and didn’t hear anything until late July in which an NBIB investigator contacted me and did my ESI around that time-frame. I didn’t hear anything back until about the first week of October when Keypoint sent me an e-mail saying I was good to go. Started training in November
I’ve only been on my own for a month. I’ve gotten lucky and haven’t had any crazy issue laden cases, so I haven’t had many issues being on my own. The investigator help team they have is usually pretty quick to answer and help out with any questions if I’m not sure what to do about something. At this point, I’ve only had a couple of reopens which happened just in the last week but I’m expecting to get bombed by them any day now.
You are able to take off almost every Friday? Really? How are you able to do that?
I didn’t say I took almost every Friday off. I said I can work a little extra throughout the week to take most of Friday off. Meaning I might work 10 hours on Wednesday and Thursday so I can knock off early on Friday.
You said you worked 9 to 5 Mon-Thurs. and took most Friday’s off. Didn’t seem like the hours added up for a 40 hour work week.
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You work in the Midwest or something?
Once again I did say I took most Fridays off. I said I take most OF Friday off. I typically try to stick to a 9-5 work week but if I feel like having an early day on Friday it’s nice having the option to work longer on other days so I don’t have to work a full day Friday and start my weekend early.
Additionally, I never said I worked Mon -Thurs either. My original post says Mon - Fri. I bet you would make a great reviewer.
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Sounds like you are doing well with Keypoint. I enjoyed working for Keypoint when I had my first manager - she listened and managed her team well. Unfortunately, because of Keypoint’s rapid increase after the USIS implosion, my area was switched to a new manager - no field experience, minimal review experience, and was in over her head as a manager.
Nice lady, not a good manager. In one year, she ran 6 experienced investigators to OPM and KGS competitors - the last holdout jumped to one of the new contractor after I left.
Like any company - a good manager/leader helps. A not good/inexperience manager will cause their team members to be great employees for someone else.
- There are good field managers in Keypoint - because I know a few personally. I myself, took a huge paycut to work for OPM - the paycut was worth it to me.
So far I’m not complaining. I’ve worked way crappier jobs for way less pay. Like I said in my original post, this is my first “real” job, especially one where I get to wear a suit. So far I’m not worried about the year I’m obligated to give them as things seem manageable for now and I still have a lot to learn. I’ve gotten to meet quite a few interesting people so far. One day I’ll be interviewing some high level executive and the next it’ll be some 18 or 19 year old going into the military. I’ve also been making friends with some of the HR personnel at the high end tech and aerospace companies in my area since I’m grabbing records from them all the time, so if nothing else the job is good for networking.