I was finishing up social work school and looking for avenues other than counseling. I discovered Ropa on Monster.com and was overjoyed: I could be promoting nonprofit organizations, making (supposedly) more money than your average social worker, and generally having fun in a varied environment. I applied, and within 24 hours, got an invitation to interview (as someone else posted).
My trip from Manhattan to Hackensack was incredible. I took the bus for over 2 hours, through Newark into Hackensack, having been told that the office was a hop, skip, and jump away from the bus stop.
I started walking from the bus stop and was told to turn on this particular street, can't remember the name. The office wasn't there, just the social security office. I asked them how to get to this particular address, and they told me it was WWAAAAAAY far away, over a mile up the road. Eeeesh. Having no car, I had no choice but to hike it. I called Ropa's office for directions again, saying that I had just gotten off the bus but didn't see their office. I was told to keep walking 'a few blocks up' and I'd see it.
I walked, walked, walked, through some hick-type bars and bowling alleys, some vacant lots, and finally when I hit a highway bridge I thought I would cry. Here I was, walking from North to South Hackensack, beginning to wonder if this place was legit if they were in such an obscure spot. Figuring that they might be in an office park or something, I kept walking. Walking, walking, to what looked like a warehouse furniture store by a highway. Finally called the office again, and said I had walked where they told me to, and had no clue where I was supposed to be going. She asked if I was by the furniture store, and she said they were RIGHT on the next block.
Right on the next block in another warehouse, a very obscure one, with semi truck trailers outside (what looked like a store warehouse building). On the warehouse was a very obscure sign that said something other than Ropa Promotions, like Blue Valley or something. I was there.
The receptionist inside joked with me and made me feel very welcome. Told me to fill out an application. I told her I just trucked all the way from North Hackensack and could I use a bathroom, and she said yes. I had been told to report to Stephanie, so I asked for her, but was sent to interview with Heather instead. Everyone was happy, joking, friendly. I thought, I SO hope I get this... I'll just bring my car out and drive every day.
Heather asked me why the transition from social work to sales. She loved all my answers, and asked if I was ready for a high-powered sales job. I said yes. Heather told me that she would review my resume again and call me by 6:00 that night if I got a second interview. Told me she had "several resumes to consider" because she'd had other interview that day.
I thanked her, we had a nice chat, and then I trucked it back to North Hackensack. On my truck back, Heather called, in a very exciting voice mail, saying, "I'm calling to CONGRATULATE you, becuase YOU have been selected for a second interview!" I thought, YES. Finally, someone wants me for a job. I called her back.
The second interview was described as an all-day thing. I told her I couldn't make it next week since I was finishing up finals and internship, but coul I come the following week. She told me that the position would most likely be filled by that next week, so if I couldn't come next week, she wished me luck.
As I thought about it on my long trip home, what a waste of 7 hours. 7 hours commuting, talking to a scam, and commuting back. It struck me that she never ONCE touched on salary, probably because there isn't one. I She had also told me that promotion was based on training other people, which sounds pyramid-ish to me.
I live in Hoboken now and while I wouldn't mind commuting to Hackensack, I'd prefer to do it for a job that will actually pay me.
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