I'd like some feedback on a job opportunity that has approached me

[frash.exe]

Oh god sales sucks

Be careful when looking. If they're so quick to get you on board, they're probably recruiting you, not that they thought you were the best candidate out of a group of people they interviewed.

[bleys]

Long story short, I browse craigslist a lot and I like to motivate myself to apply to at least a few jobs a day if the job is suitable for my situation. I'm employed right now but what I do isn't exactly my career, and I work weekends which is very inconvenient.

 

So basically I responded to an ad a few days ago for a sales position with Verizon FiOS, the guy got back to me immediately and I interviewed for the position today. He explained that basically I would be going around to areas trying to offer upgrades or packages to people, and then would be compensated for each sale I made. Pretty straight forward.

 

The hours are 2pm-8pm which are actually very convenient for me, and this guy wants his employees to make about 6-10 a week. The money is great, and he even showed me a few checks from the past week in which these guys were making anywhere from 1,000-6,000 a week. Everything seems legit so I think I'm going to try and pursue this position.

 

I just wanted to see what any of you thought about these sort of jobs, or if anyone has experience doing this kind of work. I know we have a few salesmen working with some bigger projects on here, just would like some advice/feedback before I make the decision.

 

yeah, you're basically canvassing door to door.  I've had a few people stroll by my place who do this for ATT U-Verse, and it's all the same.  I did something similar with Direct TV back in the day. 

 

Chances are you will not be working directly with Verizon.  I would guess this company is just a marketing arm earning bonuses off of new contracts.  This basically cuts down on Verizon's overhead.  It was a pretty successful marketing strategy for Direct TV.

 

I would expect those checks from "employees" came from field trainers or managers who were earning overrides off their people's work.  Nothing wrong with that, but just know where that money is actually coming from.  

 

These types of jobs aren't all that bad.  If I were in college, I'd take earning $10/hr and heavy bonus structure over working Chickfila or Kohls at $7.25 any day..  Or if they were to lay out a "manager in training" plan out for you (which I'm sure they already do, this should already be a part of the business plan and bonus structure) and you thought this was a decent option compared to the rest, then you could make it work long term.

 

$100k salary positions aren't posted on CL like people mentioned.  Except when you have hiiigh turnover and are constantly bringing in fresh blood to see who sticks.  Then again, Charlotte CL has started charging $25 per job posting so that changes things a bit, as they have with most of the bigger cities..

 

but yeah, you won't be earning anything close to that at an "entry level" position..  I've seen the bonus structure in place to know it's possible, but I can't speak for that particular company for Verizon..

 

Today's economy is opening up all kinds of new and interesting avenues that do not fit into yesteryear's paradigm..  A lot of examples I see today are for the better.  Obviously there are bad examples in anything...

 

for example, Uber..  next big thing for people like me that don't want to pay $40 cab rides..  and I can use paypal to keep my poo on the D-L...  go sign up so I get more free rides around town and earn $20 off yourself..  uber.com/invite/v3auz  

[frash.exe]

I usually set bear traps for door to door salesmen. No offense to anybody who is one, but I've heard the horror stories with people switching energy companies and getting slammed with ridiculous rates.

[4Corners]

Yo BWOOD - it sounds like a scam. Honestly, it sounds like the whole Capstone Consultants racket that goes on in Charlotte. Heard a few horror stories about them from my friends. 

[4Corners]

yeah, you're basically canvassing door to door.  I've had a few people stroll by my place who do this for ATT U-Verse, and it's all the same.  I did something similar with Direct TV back in the day. 

 

Chances are you will not be working directly with Verizon.  I would guess this company is just a marketing arm earning bonuses off of new contracts.  This basically cuts down on Verizon's overhead.  It was a pretty successful marketing strategy for Direct TV.

 

I would expect those checks from "employees" came from field trainers or managers who were earning overrides off their people's work.  Nothing wrong with that, but just know where that money is actually coming from.  

 

These types of jobs aren't all that bad.  If I were in college, I'd take earning $10/hr and heavy bonus structure over working Chickfila or Kohls at $7.25 any day..  Or if they were to lay out a "manager in training" plan out for you (which I'm sure they already do, this should already be a part of the business plan and bonus structure) and you thought this was a decent option compared to the rest, then you could make it work long term.

 

$100k salary positions aren't posted on CL like people mentioned.  Except when you have hiiigh turnover and are constantly bringing in fresh blood to see who sticks.  Then again, Charlotte CL has started charging $25 per job posting so that changes things a bit, as they have with most of the bigger cities..

 

but yeah, you won't be earning anything close to that at an "entry level" position..  I've seen the bonus structure in place to know it's possible, but I can't speak for that particular company for Verizon..

 

Today's economy is opening up all kinds of new and interesting avenues that do not fit into yesteryear's paradigm..  A lot of examples I see today are for the better.  Obviously there are bad examples in anything...

 

for example, Uber..  next big thing for people like me that don't want to pay $40 cab rides..  and I can use paypal to keep my poo on the D-L...  go sign up so I get more free rides around town and earn $20 off yourself..  uber.com/invite/v3auz  

 

Yes. I don't know if you are in the Charlotte area, but it sounds a lot like the Capstone Consultants ads that are plastered all over CraigsList. It's a scam and they are simply taking advantage of a young, jaded workforce fresh out of college that need to start paying back their student debt. 

 

Long story short, this dude I work with is 4-5 years younger than I am and he got suckered in to Capstone from a "sports marketing/sales" ad on Craigslist. They baited him that he would be selling like ticket packages to the Hurricanes/Knights, etc and he got hired on the spot. His first day on the following Monday was canvassing neighborhoods selling DirectTV "sports packages". Commission only. He quit the following day. I think he did mention that there were opportunities to move up to FT + benefits selling stuff, but they were basically middle men and you had to be an absolute shark with high numbers to see any sort of mobility. If you are a natural salesman and can sell ice to an eskimo, you can certainly do better than Capstone. 

[bleys]

Yes. I don't know if you are in the Charlotte area, but it sounds a lot like the Capstone Consultants ads that are plastered all over CraigsList. It's a scam and they are simply taking advantage of a young, jaded workforce fresh out of college that need to start paying back their student debt. 

 

Long story short, this dude I work with is 4-5 years younger than I am and he got suckered in to Capstone from a "sports marketing/sales" ad on Craigslist. They baited him that he would be selling like ticket packages to the Hurricanes/Knights, etc and he got hired on the spot. His first day on the following Monday was canvassing neighborhoods selling DirectTV "sports packages". Commission only. He quit the following day. I think he did mention that there were opportunities to move up to FT + benefits selling stuff, but they were basically middle men and you had to be an absolute shark with high numbers to see any sort of mobility. If you are a natural salesman and can sell ice to an eskimo, you can certainly do better than Capstone. 

 

My experience was back in Raleigh and wasn't door to door, instead selling DTV in Best Buy..  Although they had various door to door gigs too.  

 

 

and I agree..  there are much better sales jobs out there than going this route.  Especially for anyone naturally gifted at sales..

[boo7382]

Hope you like doors being slammed in your face and feeling uncomfortable knocking on people's personal home doors.

 

Why not get a real sales job and have the door of their office slammed in your face or just be told no over the phone? So much better that way ;)

 

I just think there is something EXTREMELY uncomfortable about knocking on people's personal home doors these days.....you never know what's going on in there behind the door and you never know who is knocking on your door- people get very nervous with random people outside

 

 

That "showing checks" tactic is super old. Whoever said they are showing you top producers is right on point, hes probably showing you their longest tenured employee that is #1 in sales numbers, which is probably 1 of 6,000 other people not making any money.

 

I won't knock Craigs List because I found and worked my last job via Craigs List- totally legit company, just very small. 

 

If you want something in sales and you're in Charlotte, and you're not a complete crackhead, I can probably help you depending on your experience. DM me.

[OneBadCat]

Yo BWOOD - it sounds like a scam. Honestly, it sounds like the whole Capstone Consultants racket that goes on in Charlotte. Heard a few horror stories about them from my friends. 

 

LOL this entirely

 

I went to an interview with Capstone for the hell of it. I could tell it looked pretty bogus from the ad but I wanted to see for myself. It was probably one of the sketchiest the things I've been into my life. They were so incredibly vague every time I asked them what the job actually involved. They wanted a 2nd interview and I peaced the fug outta there. Glass Door says they are a complete scam as well. 

 

LOL their site has these pretty Charlotte skyline photos and people in suits and ties like they are big sht when they really just rent a space in a shtty building off Morehead St.

[8 0 5]

Hope you like doors being slammed in your face and feeling uncomfortable knocking on people's personal home doors.

Why not get a real sales job and have the door of their office slammed in your face or just be told no over the phone? So much better that way ;)

I just think there is something EXTREMELY uncomfortable about knocking on people's personal home doors these days.....you never know what's going on in there behind the door and you never know who is knocking on your door- people get very nervous with random people outside

That "showing checks" tactic is super old. Whoever said they are showing you top producers is right on point, hes probably showing you their longest tenured employee that is #1 in sales numbers, which is probably 1 of 6,000 other people not making any money.

I won't knock Craigs List because I found and worked my last job via Craigs List- totally legit company, just very small.

If you want something in sales and you're in Charlotte, and you're not a complete crackhead, I can probably help you depending on your experience. DM me.

I'm in SoCal unfortunately but I appreciate your generosity!

[davos]

If you're trying for entry level sales, at least aim for b2b outside. Most mass posts on CB, CL, and Monster are either glorified inside call center gigs or basically canvassing jobs. Anyone not in construction/R&R should be very hesitant about that type of gig. It's turn & burn bs sales with terrible manager to rep ratios.

Keep searching..oh and don't use CL.

[AviationMX]

Not to state the obvious but I usually advise folks to go to the places they shop or hang out and apply for a position...several times if needed. Why not work on the bottom floor somewhere that you like...either because of the people or product. Over the years I've hired people that where not qualified only because they didn't give up applying...if you don't have a strong work history or certification for a position, show them you have drive by working hard to get in. If you enjoy your job you can work your way up...

 

A good trick it learn the names of the executive/managers and contact them on Linkedin and keep sending in resumes... 

[bleys]

I'm in SoCal unfortunately but I appreciate your generosity!

 

spend a little money and get your life insurance license.  Everything is already set up and ready to go.

[Harris Aballah]

Theres a posting on craigs list for drivers to deliver 2lb packages from mexico to charlotte if you're really desperate?

[8 0 5]

spend a little money and get your life insurance license.  Everything is already set up and ready to go.

 

how does this work exactly?