Career Day!

I very recently, got a new job, yay! My official title is Sales Team Manager and, I manage a group of representatives who work in credit card acquisitions. Hey, it is a step up from telemarketing, in some peoples eyes, but maybe a step down in others. Interesting thought, that I might just ponder more, on an evening where I am not totally exhausted, and maybe a little grumpy. Most of you have never seen this side of me, but I think it could be a rather creative adventure, to say the least. Let’s play!

I am actually enjoying the infield work that I am doing, coaching and training new reps. I love when I can ramble off the pitch, smooth as silk, wrap that customer around my little finger, and have my trainee say to me, afterwards, that I made it look sooo easy! There is a bit of a rush in that for me, I have to say. It is also rewarding when they do it the same way, and it works for them as well. Sales, to me, IS easy. It’s just all about how you talk to people, and respond to their body language and manner. Granted, I will also admit, that it isn’t the job for lots of people, especially if they take the rejections personally!

So, in this new position, I am constantly recruiting and interviewing, to make sure the right people, whom this job IS for, are in place, or closely in the wings to take over for those who, despite my best efforts, can’t do this type of employment, to the requirements of myself, and my client. It’s a tough balance, I am quickly learning. I am not saying I am not up to the challenge, just that it is particularly perplexing one, when I am so new in my role.

To this measure, this morning I had the distinct PLEASURE, shall I say, to set up and work at, a Career Fair, in the city of Edmonton. Wow, was I enlightened, on a couple of issues, very quickly! First and foremost, I should not be surprised by anything I see walk through the door at a job fair, and I need to learn to be much less expressive with my face, and my side comments. I did entertain the table next to me with some of my asides, and I don’t THINK I was too loud, that the applicants heard me. I don’t think. I swear, rolling my eyes, is one day going to get me into trouble, somewhere, somehow.

Take for example, the ENTIRE families, who came with Daddy, to look for a job, many with wee ones in strollers, or on hip, or the single mothers, in the same position. Let me think for just a moment. Hmmmm, you can’t find a babysitter, for an hour while you come job hunting, what exactly does that say to me about how often you are going to have issues with this, if I HIRE you??? As well, if your wife is translating my job description into any other language, than English, I might have trouble getting you to convince anyone to take anything from you, let alone something as valuable as a credit card.

Here’s another important tip, I think. If you are coming to a job fair, hoping to find employment, you don’t necessarily have to be wearing a business suit, but first impressions are priceless, and right or wrong, lasting. Don’t show up in short, ripped denim shorts and babydoll shirts. Jammie pants, also not very suitable for the workplace, in general. Paint covered jeans, yah maybe not. Flip flops, and on the flip SIDE, stilettos, not so much. Your hat on backwards, your pants falling off, and your underwear, not UNDER anywhere, again, not a good look, to a potential employer, who isn’t trying to fill positions, in their rap video, or DJ company. Just sayin’.

I also understand, that the economy has been terrible, and there are a lot of people out of work, or needing to get second jobs to supplement their income, or, in some cases, their old age pensions. I do get this, and I greatly sympathize after being unemployed myself for 18 months. That being said, if you hobble up to my table, with a cane, a hearing aid, and a great attitude, I am afraid, the great attitude might make me really like you, but you can’t physically DO the job I would be hiring you to do. I do not believe in discrimination, in any form, whatsoever, but I am also realistic when it comes to physical limitations, and the ability a person would have to, for lack of a better term, hustle their ass, like it’s on fire!

Then there were, what I am going to affectionately call, the knobs! I can’t seem to come up with a better term for someone, who walks up to a table, hiring sales associates, in retail stores, and better yet, the table next to me where they were hiring for hotel staff, and looks us in the eyes, and suggests that they are only available Monday through Friday, 9-3! Seriously, I want those hours! I will also go further and suggest, What the Beep??? Have they ever SHOPPED? Have they ever STAYED in a hotel?? Retail stores are closed, maybe a couple days a year, and hotels NEVER close! You think you are going to walk into those kind of sweet hours, right off the street? Not in my experience!

And, the guy that made me laugh the hardest, almost as soon as he walked away from the table next to mine, was the young guy who walked over with such purpose, threw out his hand, and asked us, “what do you have to offer me?” Wait now, let’s review for a moment. I admire his level of self-worth, but last time I checked, the person doing the hiring is going to want to know what the applicant has to offer THEM. Correct me if I am wrong on this one, but that seems job interview 101. I could barely contain myself, I found that entire concept so amusing!

OK, so remember when we started this, and I said I was a bit grumpy? I am well over it now that I have poured all this out to you kind folks. I really reigned myself in, so as not to totally offend, or drop any F bombs, like I did when relaying some of these things to a friend close enough to understand my warped sense of humour sometimes. Thanks for listening by the way. I think I am definitely entitled to a little libation of the alcoholic variety, so I am about to go indulge! Cheers! P.S. I am also still hiring, if you live in the Edmonton area, and I am a pretty decent boss! 😉