This was three years ago. To this day, I cringe at the thought of going through what was 2 weeks of "training" with this 20-something who himself was not good at selling nor training.
I post this to inform anyone that you might want to go through and see what it's all about. I warn you now, 3 years later, that if it's too good to be true, then it's too good to be true.
It was advertised as a marketing position for a creative individual. I asked if I should bring a portfolio. REceptionist said no. Before my first interview there were two others in the lobby, both with vinyl portfolios (probably containing artwork) on their laps.
I received a voice mail for a "2nd interview" before I got home (within 45 minutes). I went to the 2nd interview and they hired me.
I had to wear a suit and tie. The meeting was as if I was going to go out onto the football field to play. I first heard the term "juice." The chanting and rallying was the first sign, but I had to see it through because they said $600 a week, and even though that was not guaranteed salary, I realized it was sales and I wanted to see what the potential was (I was desperate for work, behind on my mortgage).
I was older, but not by much, yet the majority were early-20s. Anyways, I look young for my age and I guess I probably fit in somewhat but my trainer thought so and we went to the department store so he could return a dress shirt he didn't want.
On day two, we stopped at his apartment so he could grab a jacket. He lived in an apartment with three other DS-Maxx/Cycor, so that whatever rent divided by four — cheap rent, these guys are broke, another sign I should have paid attention to.
On the Friday of that first week, everyone went out and insisted I go. These guys were in there suits with ties loosened in Seattle thinking they're lawyers or Wall Streeters in New York thinking they're all that. A couple of women in the group were cute, especially the receptionist.
I just think these guys were too young and not interested in building a business and more concerned with looking cool and using arrogance to get their way. Sure, sales requires a certain level of ego, but these guys were at the time selling phone service to mom and pop stores, and they were using the same approach as Amway or vitamin sales, so there was no real skill other than arrogance and knocking on as many doors as possible.
So, overall, the ad you may have seen is clever and misleading. I didn't ask questions, I was curious about what was next. Don't waste your time, therefore ask questions at the "interview." Ask more questions at the "2nd interview." They may present you with the W-4 form at which time you're hired. If you see this, you didn't ask enough questions and they aren't telling you something. THey will tell you there's a "meeting" in a few minutes you have to attend. This is where you'll hear: "Juice, juice, juice for you (rah, rah)." You are not getting a nice cozy corporate job with a business card, no desk or cubicle, no company email address, not even a hook for your jacket.
The business model is not fraudulent but it is unrealistic and incompatible with the initial classified ad. If you have the energy, desire, naivete, and blind ambition to sell door to door (nothing totally wrong with personal sales), then you would save travel time and energy going with A*, H*, P* (ROR REDACTED FOR SECURITY PURPOSES), or renting a stall at the market and selling your own product.
In any income revenue stream there will be down times, just look at the weather or the stock markets. So there is a bit of luck if you're in on an upswing, manipulating an upswing by pestering everyday people in the neighborhood.
When the numbers weren't there, the most difficult aspect was walking around with my trainer who seemed down and who in fact was a real drag, but then it's your job to pick yourself up and sell, sell, sell (juice!). We were in suits and looked like Jehovah's witnesses walking the sidewalks, knocking on one door after the other.
There was one day when we were in a neighborhood where I knew people. We went to all the businesses. I was lucky not to run into someone and have to explain the suit where everyone including the lawyers and business people are in casual attire.
Business to business selling? Sounds very business-like.in reality, you'll be selling as a third party to mom and pop, video store, burrito stand, coffee shop, pizza place, gift shop, small shop... The suits are really out of place and out of touch.
The upline people, the ones renting the office space, writing the ads, interviewing, and training are trying to keep revenue going. So while they may have busted their butts at some point or got lucky, they're going to see if they can train and break you one way or the other, and it won't be pleasant at all, especially when they try to get rid of you as fast as possible so they can move on to the next "hires."
V
Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.
Font color="red" sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome!
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