I'd been unemployed for about 3 weeks when I got a phone call from New Line after they had reviewed my resume that I'd submitted online. What had caught my eye about the ad was not only were they looking for entry level people, but also managers - and I have several years of departmental management. They touted the fact that they were representing many brand names, Disney, Nickelodeon, etc... Sounded cool.
I set up an interview with them for the following day, but had a bad feeling about it, was running late, and called them to cancel. But, no! They "really want to meet" me. And they were kind enough to set me up a new time for the interview... That was nice... But odd.
When I got to their office, I walked in and saw two other ladies in the lobby, filling out applications. Music blaring very loudly. But there were signs on the wall depicting various brand names: NBA, NFL, Nascar... I felt a little better with the name brands, for some reason... Until three more ladies came in for applications. That's when I realized I was in the middle of a cattle call.
A very young, attractive and nicely dressed lady took a few people to the back, one by one, and one by one they all exited with blank expressions. I knew what I was in for. I've been in these kind of places before. So... I decided to have a little fun with it.
When it came my turn for an interview, this gal (I'll call her "Autumn") took me back to an office where she sat behind a huge desk that looked like her chair had been boosted so she was looking down at me. She began to ask me questions like, What Motivated me? Do I want to make a lot of money? Do I like working with people? All of my answers, I intentionally gave with a very monotone voice, stuttering in some places... Messing up my words. "yeah. I'm a real people person."
She explained to me that their products are displayed at fun places, trade shows, major department stores and they all represent their clients, to which she name dropped a few of the items that I'd mentioned before.
She looked over my resume and said I would be great for the position, but did I realize it would be working from the ground up? (Come ON! I've been working in management for years! Why would I need to start over???) "sure, That would be good. I'm READY for a new career" I said, as I shrugged my shoulders.
And did I also realize that in order to make money, I would have to work hard, which might include nights, and weekends. How did I feel about that?
"That's fine!" I said, "I have too much free time right now anyways". (yeah, with my three kids... I have plenty of free time) She then told me that it took her a full year of working at these trade shows to get where she was. A full year! That's all it took!
Fantastic! I was told then that the next step was for me to come along for a full day to see exactly how the system works. Was I able to meet with someone on site the following day from about 8:00 am to 5:00 pm?
"Why, yess. That would be fine!"
She then asked me..."So... Do you have any questions for me?" Which I did..."So, Autumn... Your products... Would I be standing at a portable table with an ez-up, somewhere outside of a store or something?"
She looked a little dumbfounded but said, "In some cases, yes".
That is when I remembered the time I was stopped outside of a Wal-Mart by a very agressive woman who told me that I could have a free child fingerprint/dna kit, just with a purchase/donation of $39.95 and I'd get a fantastic... Toy or something...
"So... Autumn... What would be on these tables I'd be standing at? What product would I be pushing?" Her answer was "Child Fingerprinting Kits".
I'd been a little subdued and monotone up to that point, at which I immediately SLAMMED my hand down on her desk - startling the heck out of her - and loudly exclaimed "OH my GOD! I know EXACTLY who you people are!!! Wow!!!"
She then told me that she had quite a few people that we're interviewing, but they were going to make a decision and let people know that afternoon. I was told that I needed to be by a phone between 3 and 5 so I could get a phone call letting me know if I'd gotten the position. Was I excited about it?
"OH why YES!" I said QUITE sarcastically... I know she could see through it. I shook her hand real hard and walked out of the office... Making sure to give a cross eyed expression for all of the other applicants to see. One girl looked at me with an expression that said, "Ohhh noooo..."
But guess what... I GOT A CALL! Woohoo! The message on my voice mail said, "Hi, this is 'so-n-so' from New Line Promotions, I need you to call us immediately, we have some GREAT NEWS for you!!!"
Yeah... No... I didn't call.
Long and short of it is, if you respond to this ad, these people will totally waste your time, try to pump you up, not tell you a THING about the product (I guess unless you ask the way I did) and then get you out there to sell it for a full day.
Do you REALLY want to stand in front of a Wal-Mart yelling at people (like I was yelled at that one time) "Ma'am! Ma'am! Do you have children? Can I talk to you?"
And for a full year?
Since I responded and was interviewed, I have noticed their ads in more places, and each one is worded a little differently, but it's all the same place.
I wish I could work my way up to Autumn's position, dress nice and try to lure in suckers... Nah... Nevermind.
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