Having just received my degree in business management I was job searching for a great company I can begin my career. With ads listed as 'Entry Level Management Training' and 'Sports Marketing' I thought I would apply and see what would happen. What a mistake.
First off, they post ads on Careerbuilder, Craigslist, Monster, Hotjobs, as well as additional advertising mediums in order to recruit young, entry-level individuals into what they call 'sports advertising, ' 'marketing, ' and the all encompassing 'mtp or management training program.' They most often post a salary which is a lie b/c it's all commission based.
Once you get into the door for your first interview, their pitch about unlimited earning potential and the possibility of acquiring a top-level management position may be very appealing. Once you get into the second interview, the worst thing you will ever do in your life, you will experience the day to day grind that these hard working individuals undergo. You will literally walk door to door or solicit businesses with a 2-for-1 coupon book. They claim to represent sports teams, but ask them what sports team they represent in Oregon and then try calling to verify, you won't get too far.
At the end of the day, your pay as an 'account manager' is residual cash based on the number of coupon books aka 'VIP Cards' you sell for that day... This is the unlimited income, so walk fast. From the moment you become an account manager, you will have to start 'building your team' in order to have subordinates under you who will work for you in your office.
For several months, you will be interviewing others just like you who are looking for their future career and your goal will be to influence them into joining your company and be a part of your team.
Then, once you have built your solid team of at least 5 people who are also recruiting and interviewing others to join through the formal interview process, your company or 'leader' will have you and your team shipped out to a third rate washed out city in the U.S. Where you will be expected to cover all your relocation and business related expenses dealing with opening a new business.
They should just call this what this is, which is a sales driven, commission based venture, not a professional marketing and advertising company that paints a pretty picture. It is not as glamorous as it may appear in the advertisement due to the fact that you will never meet with any of the corporate clientele they claim to have, except for the local pizza chain manager to find out about their delivery zones so you know where to walk.
Nothing wrong with this opportunity if in the end your goal is to manage a group of door -to-door sales people and fool them into staying long enough to get yourself into management to open you own brand spanking 'New Deal.' 1 out of 100 will open a 'New Deal.' 1 out of 2 'New Deals' end up making an insufficient amout of income to cover their business related expenses and to pay themselves.
These new business managers/owners discover themselves sacrificing their own salaries in order to keep their business afloat. This sacrifice is observed in many ways, including maintaining a low standard of living by renting an apartment with the same group of people they work with. Many sacrifice personal time with their friends and family members in order to focus on their business, but mainly because they work Mon.-Sat. 7am-9pm.
For the account managers who work out in the 'field' going door to door, there is an additional practice called 'extra mileing' on Sun.in order to meet the ever so demanding weekly sales goals.
If you ever find yourself in a bind and need cash now, put on that snappy suit, look for their 'sports and marketing' advertisements for entry level workers, and call them immediately to set up an interview for the very same day. Don't forget to 'wear comfortable shoes' as they would say and good luck!
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