Getting in...

Do you work at Countrywide Financial? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

Does anyone have a contact in the HR dept?

Countrywide is the scummiest company I could ever image.
They treat the employees even worse than there customers.
Whenever you get promoted you get a 2% raise that comes about a year after the promotion.

I have heard Countrywide is a tough company to work for and they have a lot of turnover. I had a phone interview with a top Exec. and he reiterated that you have to be really on the ball to work there. I have an in person interview coming up soon. Guess I'll see how that goes!

I have to agree with Tampa...Cwide is not a fun place to work. I am a current employee looking for other opportunities now. They have too many layers of management which dilutes the management talent, which is clearly evident to everyone. Their business plan is hire as many sales people as possible and just hope some survive with the poor comp and support. Their systems are archaic as well. I would look for other options if at all possible...

Have any of you heard much about American Home Mortgage? www.americanhm.com ? If so, curious how they are compared with countrywide?

Host said: Do you work at Countrywide Financial? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?
Any advice for someone trying to get in?

Countrywide is the scummiest company within the mortgage industry. There aim is not to have anyone excel, if you do you are going to get a lot more work and a 1% raise that will come after like a year later.
My advise is to keep as far away from them as possible.

City said: I have heard Countrywide is a tough company to work for and they have a lot of turnover. I had a phone interview with a top Exec. and he reiterated that you have to be really on the ball to work there. I have an in person interview coming up soon. Guess I'll see how that goes!

The turn over is not people being fired or laid off but people leaving.
All the underwriters I know there tell me that they just work there for the experience than they will leave.

Luke in Jacksonville said: I have to agree with Tampa...Cwide is not a fun place to work. I am a current employee looking for other opportunities now. They have too many layers of management which dilutes the management talent, which is clearly evident to everyone. Their business plan is hire as many sales people as possible and just hope some survive with the poor comp and support. Their systems are archaic as well. I would look for other options if at all possible...

Are you based in Tampa?

Do they ever even look at the applications being sent thru their website? I mean,........ I have very good experience and have sent them several but after reading these posts,..... I think I will pass if I did ever get a call. Thanks for your comments....

Countrywide is not a good place to work unless you like to be micro managed by people who were only promoted because they could process more widgets per hour than the others at the time. There is no management development, a severe turnover problem, and even many of the "lifers" are looking elsewhere.

Pissed said: Are you based in Tampa?

No - I am based in Jacksonville and couldn't agree more with everyone's comments...I can't believe they're the #1 lender in the US. They have no training program whatsoever and change processes on the fly without advance notice to employees, etc. It's just a poor environment to be successful

Pissed said: Are you based in Tampa?

I've recently relocated to the Tampa area from Fort Lauderdale (where I worked as an underwriter at ABN AMRO for about 4 years) - Do you have any contact or recommendations of other employers in the area that may be looking? I've been sending out resumes and I know it's a slow time of the year but I want to get back to work ASAP now that all the stuff with the house is finished. Any recommendations or contacts would be greatly appreciated!

Countrywide has a horrible reputation for treating it's employees poorly. They tend to focus on hiring inexperienced personnel and pay them the bare minimum with the promise of bonuses but purposely do not give them the work required to achive a bonus, knowing that they will leave after a year or so. I should know, I was an AVP and a hiring manager and told to do so.

Jobless said: Countrywide has a horrible reputation for treating it's employees poorly. They tend to focus on hiring inexperienced personnel and pay them the bare minimum with the promise of bonuses but purposely do not give them the work required to achive a bonus, knowing that they will leave after a year or so. I should know, I was an AVP and a hiring manager and told to do so.

God your right, I came in as a temp, gave a damn about my job and excelled only to be Pissed on. I am currently weighing my options for REAL employment.

PS JUST A NOTE FOR EVERYONE: EXPERIENCE FROM CHL MEANS CLOSE TO NOTHING!

Has anyone heard anything about Bank of America Loan Center?

Connie said:
I've recently relocated to the Tampa area from Fort Lauderdale (where I worked as an underwriter at ABN AMRO for about 4 years) - Do you have any contact or recommendations of other employers in the area that may be looking? I've been sending out resumes and I know it's a slow time of the year but I want to get back to work ASAP now that all the stuff with the house is finished. Any recommendations or contacts would be greatly appreciated!

Here's a search I did that may help you out for underwriters in Tampa, FL:
www.indeed.com/jobs?q=underwriter&l=Tampa%2C+FL

I would suggest looking at a few things that I think will help you out. First, take a look at the left-hand refinement margin. This will show you the most popular job titles, locations, companies and so on that match your query. It will help you get a feel for what and where the demand is for this type of job. Also, if you find a job listing you like, take a look at the "more actions" link located on the bottom line of each job listing. This is loaded with great background information that you'll find useful on the job listing and the company.

How in the hell can corperate business get away with this. Treating people like that. See why people all over are quiting and getting out of the corperate BS. Most of my friends are working for themself and love it.

I believe the going to sc hool and get a good job and work hard is long gong. Not all companies are but most are and if do get and want advance they get jelouse and want to sabatoge you.

Connie said:
I've recently relocated to the Tampa area from Fort Lauderdale (where I worked as an underwriter at ABN AMRO for about 4 years) - Do you have any contact or recommendations of other employers in the area that may be looking? I've been sending out resumes and I know it's a slow time of the year but I want to get back to work ASAP now that all the stuff with the house is finished. Any recommendations or contacts would be greatly appreciated!

It would be so helpfull if you can tell us what you starting and ending salary
was, and how many years of experience you
had when you got hired.

Jobless said: Countrywide has a horrible reputation for treating it's employees poorly. They tend to focus on hiring inexperienced personnel and pay them the bare minimum with the promise of bonuses but purposely do not give them the work required to achive a bonus, knowing that they will leave after a year or so. I should know, I was an AVP and a hiring manager and told to do so.

What were the base salary and how much bouse did it pay?

Kathy said:
What were the base salary and how much bouse did it pay?

Each position has it's own pay structure. The base has a range basee on level of employment. Management is told to bring you in below what is the lowest level of the range. Pretty nice, huh?
The bonus is set in stone as far as criteria. The kicker is that it is up to management to decide how much bonus is paid out if they decide to give you enough loans to qualify for the bonus. They will blaim it on the market usually if there is not enough work to hand out. So even if you perform at a 100% level. Management can structure the payout to pay you way below what you deserve.

I was just offered a position as sales manager with CHL in AZ. I have not received my official offer letter yet but, any advice on negotiating? I was promised 50 basis pts. as commission and a cut of whatever comission my team makes. Kicker is I only get it if I pulled them in. I'm about to give up a career with Fidelity Title, but...

Dont do it. I work near two of their main offices in Texas and have worked for some of their competitors - who are almost as bad as they are.
Pick a company with a good reputation for looking after their employees. CHL is looking to make as much $$ for the oweners as possible. From what Ive heard They dont give a *** about their employees and just play the numbers game- ie the more people you recruit the more sales you get - when those people get screwed - ship 'em out and ship a new load of 'unknowns' in. GIVE THEM A MISS.

I worked in the Grand Rapids MI office. It was very unorganized, the underwriters, and Account Exec's couldn't wait to get out of the door and run for a new job interview. They do not hire using education as a criteria, I have a Masters and my boss (Branch Manager)had a years worth of accounting courses. I was paid $16.00 per hour to fund loans. The software and loan processing practices are antiquated. I guess its a good step into Mortgages and Loans, but be looking so that when you have 6 mos experience you can go somewhere else. Good Luck!

RUN!! Don't walk...away! I was there for over 13 years and due to office politics and petty jealousy (boss was NOT qualified - got job by WHO she "knew"...) and I was laid off with NO warning or cause.

Well I have worked Countrywide at Plano, TX location as customer service position. Country Wide is one of the worst company to work for in the USA. Every step of the way a total controling and micro Managment... You always a number at country wide. They lie how you could be promoted as well as how your bonus works. At the end they find a way not to pay your bonus. As many employee quite the company at least 200-300, they try to hire and train that many from the street basically. you even hate to see the company name any where Tv ad street sign and on your resume. To fake of a company ripping of the one thinks it is a company. The loan department is ripping of the home owner through out the country. My advise is stay where you are or stay unemployed instead of trying to work for them, It is a military boot comp. It is Bagdad! It is hell! It is Rams field Pentagon or Bush white house. TO much 300 Lbs managment team cannot go hired any where in corporate America, they keep liying to pepole and serve their masters till they retired.

I'm currently in the interview process for a Project Manager job with Countrywide, and it pays very well. I believe that most of the jobs I've seen people discussing here are loan officers, and those that work in their mortgage offices. Any feedback on what it is like to work as a project manager, or some similar job, in their office in Plano?

I worked at Countrywide for 10 months. I have never worked so hard for so little pay. I was making $11.50 an hour as a production assistant. I never had a performance review or a bonus. Although I was promised one. My loan officer I supported was wonderful, but we about starved to death as my husband got laid off during my tenure at CHL.

The branch manager was horrible. She was nosy and had an internal loan officer as her slave. The underwriter did not underwrite if she did not feel like it and she refused to talk to a customer. She would not look a loan file until the day before closing and then tell me I had to notify my customer that we needed updated bank statements, and other docs at the last minute.

I was never trained, no one took the time or cared. There were two sweet loan officers who helped me when they could, but the Branch manager was jealous and said I needed to figure it out on my own.

Countrywide will not be the number 1 home loan company in the near distant future. Angelo Mozilla needs to take his head out of his ass and look around at the huge elephant in the room and take action now, if he wishes to rescue his company.

Laid Off said: I'm currently in the interview process for a Project Manager job with Countrywide, and it pays very well. I believe that most of the jobs I've seen people discussing here are loan officers, and those that work in their mortgage offices. Any feedback on what it is like to work as a project manager, or some similar job, in their office in Plano?

I worked as a database developer/analyst in plano. If you are productive,sincere,sensitive and respect your self you will be treated really bad. You will always be busy with work.
You will not get any promotions, bonuses and training if you are productive. You will be seen and treated as a threat.

In my case, they made many promosises, did not keep any and complained to HR about communication.

Any way, if you are the type who works very little but talks a lot about it and suck up to managers, claim credit for others work, this is a good place for you.

Does anyone have comments for the branches in Houston, TX? If so please comment would like to know if its any different then Tampa

The comments hit pretty close to home. In Countrywide's Defense, It's a Job, you do your time and go home. What else do you want. I have had a number of jobs in my time and I have been here the longest. It is a very fast pace environment. If you don't like your Job, find a new one.

Well all I see is all people want is to be treated with respect and payed fairly on here. I think most people no what it takes in a job.

What is so hard in treating employee's good. I always see country wide hiring and a high turnover. I get feed back from people who been treated horriable.

Maybe your just one of the lucky ones.

Your probly kinda of new I bet.

I interviewed for an SVP position in corporate headquarters. I've never met so many unhappy, overworked, stressed, and unappreciated people in all my life. The EVP of HR had the warmth of toadstool. Everyone complained about rampant turnover and unrealistic expectations from the very top brass. There is no amount of money they could have paid me to work there.

SVPbutnothanks said: I interviewed for an SVP position in corporate headquarters. I've never met so many unhappy, overworked, stressed, and unappreciated people in all my life. The EVP of HR had the warmth of toadstool. Everyone complained about rampant turnover and unrealistic expectations from the very top brass. There is no amount of money they could have paid me to work there.

You have read the company culture during your interview and made a wise decision.

I have given three years to it before I finally gave up. The management I had seen, VPs, SVPs do not respect and reward work or output. They send emails to the entire department(1200) people or so for every single promotion which creates hype and cravings in empoyees. Employees are not focussing on work at hand. They are resorting to negative means to get a promotion or they become too passive and "unproductive".
Half of them will be busy bullying other team members and claiming credit for others work in front of higher managers. The other half (many potentially high contributers) are trying to produce as little as they can. As they do not intend to bully others or they themselves are bullied by others or they already know that the promotions are not based on productivity.

There are very few employees who keep up their productivity level after an year or two.
The most astonishing thing that I can never digest is that the managers (the so called VPs, 1st VPs, SVPs) do not beleive that pay, promotions and productivity should be related. How the hell are they expecting the employees to maintain productivity?

HR sucks. They do not care about employee concerns. I know many good employees who want to leave but are stuck there because thier green cards are under processing.(It takes a long time for the process). They employ many new immigrants. If not, their turn over rates will be much higher.

Does anyone know; howz it working for the QA department at countrywide in texas?

Hi Mark, By the way, did you know April Walker or Jodi Young? They work out of Plano or Fort Worth, their really are TERRIBLE PEOPLE! For you folks who want to get into Countrywide or any of their subsidaries, RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN. Countrywide has made a killing off exploiting, over working, under paying, over promising, their employees, while Countrywide is making HUGE PROFITS. Guess whose paying for it = THE EMPLOYEES. If you want micro management, mandatory weekends, low pay AND docked pay, PIP's = performance imporovement plans, management who has less knowledge or experience than you, well then go ahead an sign up for HELL......WELCOME TO COUNTRYWIDE AKA CHL,CFC, Countrywide Financial, Countrywide Home Loans, Countrywide Insurance Services, Countrywide Bank & Trust. Just remember the devil never tells you his true intentions!

When I was at Countrywide by accident a internal memo was released and the word "Warden" was used in the memo? It got me thinking so I went out on Yahoo and started researching (warden AND "Call Center")to my amazement, I learned that previously Call Centers were staffed by prisoners! Now if you look at how Countrwide manages their people you will see that they are using the same behavior model used for PRISONERS! If any of you want to verify this data simply go to Yahoo and type this exactly or cut and paste:
"call center" AND prisoner OR prison

City said: I have heard Countrywide is a tough company to work for and they have a lot of turnover. I had a phone interview with a top Exec. and he reiterated that you have to be really on the ball to work there. I have an in person interview coming up soon. Guess I'll see how that goes!

I have a phone interview with them today in about a couple of hours. After reading all the reviews on the web i am seriosly getting doubtful if i shud even waste my time and day time minutes on them

aghulamani said:
I have a phone interview with them today in about a couple of hours. After reading all the reviews on the web i am seriosly getting doubtful if i shud even waste my time and day time minutes on them

You can explore and see if you like the people. But remember that,
1) Bonuses for VPs and below are very low almost nothing. They are totally at managers descretion.
2) Do not beleive in any of the promises they may make about future promotions. I have seen amany cases were false promises were made. You cannot question them later.
Most managers there can get away with murder, unfair reviews etc, false promises etc.
3) If you have other options and if you really love your work, meaning enjoy your work, sincere, sensitive and the type who just focuses on work and giving your best, please do not go there. You can always join them and if there is any aspect of it that you do not like immediately start looking. Do not wait for any thing they may promise.

I am of the above type, I worked there for three years.
Thanks for Countrywide I feel miserable now. I had been to many schools, colleges, held jobs at different companies, married a total stranger( which is a norm in my country). Never in my life I was afraid/hesitated to go to a new school or a job. I left countrywide found another job in three weeks, but I started my new job with many fears. But I did try it and slowly my fears are melting away. But I still feel really sad some times as I cannot understand why after three years of work they have put me on a PIP. (The only sins I have committed are, 1) Asking for a promotion (I deserved it based on the output I have given them for three years). 2) Requesting my manager to let me speak in a meeting which was scheduled to gather requirements for my work. (I was supposed to do 100% of that task).

But they had no problem promoting some one else who is far less productive. The only qualification she had - She is a butt kisser.

One more thing I forgot to mention. HR never listens to employees.
For example, in the PIP that was put against me, more than half of the allegations
were false. I could prove that with evidence. I have sent several emails (with evidence)
to the HR lady who was handling my case. Upon requesting a response from the HR lady,
the response I got was,
"Your manager is reviewing those emails and will take action". Believe me I did not hear
any thing from any one. I waited for few days and then resigned.

Both Managers and HR had no sense of right and wrong. Or they know what is right but
have no guilt and shame in taking the wrong path.
(Some type of genetic mutation that results in total lack of guilt and shame
while harassing employees.
)

Wow, the same exact thing happened to me. They are a very poor organization to work for. Little direction and training. Bully bosses with no credentials. I landed a terrific job at another major lender and when I mention where I came from, it seemed that the CHL reputation proceeded itself. Very poor reputation with employee development and retention.

Don't waste your time with this company!

For a 1st VP position, they wanted me to pay for my own Face-to-face interview - I did.

The hierarchy was:

1stVP
Vp
Associate VP
Project Manager
Team Lead
Team Member

Nevertheless, I was expected to know XML code. Excuse me, but I have a VP who has Associate VPs who have Project Managers who have Team Leads who have Team Members who can read XML! If I need to know XML only to verify what my Team member tells me is true, then there is no trust between the Team member and his management and the team member has no business to be working for that management!

Obviously, although I come from a country whose name begins with "I", it was not the right country and I did not believe in the correct God! If you get the drift!

City said: I have heard Countrywide is a tough company to work for and they have a lot of turnover. I had a phone interview with a top Exec. and he reiterated that you have to be really on the ball to work there. I have an in person interview coming up soon. Guess I'll see how that goes!

Hi,
i have a phone interview with Melody Gonzales at Countrywide in LA tmr. It's gonna be in asp.net C#, pretty technical (thats what i was told). Any help that you could provide me? Would appreciate it.
Thanks

As youll have read before- DONT DO IT!
Countrywide are in the opinion of many current and ex employees - amongst THE worst employers in the US today!! I know its motivating to get an interview - and if you dont have a job curently you probably dont have much to lose - but dont leave a job to join them...

After a year of trying to get into Countrywide I finally heard from them however I had already accepted another position with another company.

When I was recently laid off I decided to give Countrywide another try but after all of these comments I've decided to just move on.

FYI... countrywide was recently fined by the dept of banking. The fine was in the millions. Not a good sign.

sounds like a bunch of losers. You make your own destiny. Get off your ******* and stop blaming everyone else for why you suck at your job. Read the book "QBQ".

Oh please get a life--- youre the loser - theres a difference between positive thinking and bull headed stupidity! Take REALITY check - go ahead work for CW - make our day - trash yours - be the victim- you deserve it!!

Dear Loser in Wyncote, PA:
You must be the person that all of these people are complaining about, an overpaid, uneducated bully with a catch all title hoping to make everyone else feel inferior to you. Good Luck with that! Please do keep working for CW, that way we won't have to worry about another imbecile such as yourself working beside us, and we would never apply for a loan with you. Please stay true to you Countrywide roots.

I got contacted recently by Countrywide for a Financial Analyst position in Tampa. Now, after these posts, I'm worried. It's not my only prospect, but the negatives from the ex-employees DO give me pause, because they all pretty much say the same thing. This tells me, as the Italians say, that "A fish rots from the head [first]," meaning it's not just a bad local manager somewhere but a policy from the top echelon.

Losers! said: sounds like a bunch of losers. You make your own destiny. Get off your asses and stop blaming everyone else for why you suck at your job. Read the book "QBQ".

How did you come to the conclusion that people who are complaining here, "suck at their job"?

Do you have any definition for what performing well at a job means?

In my defition, "doing job well" means, "adding value to the project, delivering in least time with the best quality (efficiency, least defects), trying to understand and be sensitive to other team members needs. Keeping your manager updated on what you are doing etc.
"

Doing a job well does NOT mean "sucking up to managers. claiming credit for others ideas or work. Bullying other team memberss, involving in others work, not letting team members do their work, not letting others speak in meetings" etc is not considered as work in my opinion.