Reflective coursework – interview process

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Nervously awaiting my interview with Marketing Endeavours, I tried desperately to remember all the research I had done on the company the night before and the ‘buzz words’ I had decided on to memorise. As I have found with most first interviews, they don’t seem to last that long – no more than forty minutes. I was asked many questions, including the one I STILL (and will probably always) fail to understand “do you have any work experience?”. Of course not! Why else am I here? This aside, the interviewer didn’t seem as bothered that I didn’t have any unlike most of the others I have conversed with. A lot of what he was discussing and asking was referring to customer service, so my experience working part-time for a supermarket finally came in useful.

Either way, it must’ve have gone well enough as they invited me (as well as a few others from the 40+ that applied) back for a second interview the following day. This involved a group interview with two other candidates as well as elaborating on the job specifications and expectations. The job is that of an Independent Sales Advisor, where a company (in this case British Red Cross) enlist Charity fundraisers Care2Give who then employ Marketing Endeavours to use their direct sales marketing approach to gain them customers (as charities call ‘donors’). We went through key reasons of why the use of direct sales as oppose to indirect sales are on the increase, the main being that it’s a measurable method. As well as this we went through the British Red Cross (what they do) the law of averages, job development and how we would be capable of moving up in the company at a relative pace. My job would be to help host event marketing by setting up official stands/banners/displays in public places such as shopping centres and to try and get new donors involved in giving to the British Red Cross. Initially I was worried as I have never done any sales before – but that was why I was doing it, for the experience. I have always wanted to be in the advertising industry (specifically pitching concepts) and in order to do this I would need to sell myself as well as the idea so this, in theory, is the perfect opportunity to see if I am up to the challenge – well that and if I need a new direction in my future career.

I was told at the end of the group interview that I and one of the two other candidates were successful and were required two days later for a training day. I couldn’t quite believe it, literally two days before I felt so negative and honestly didn’t think anyone wanted to employ me.

The training day was really beneficial; even though I was unsure whether this type of job is suited for me, they made it sound very appealing and put me at ease. We went through their business development programme and even discussed the cash-flow quadrant. It was really interesting, especially as other employees were there and it was a real ‘opportunity’ meeting I found myself in. It’s one thing learning about the inner workings of a business, but it’s very different actually being part of it – they go into so much detail about the elements of the job that I would’ve never thought to, well, think of. I learnt more about the charity and the best techniques to utilise in order to approach people in the right way (also my homework). So I start tomorrow and my nerves are at an all-time high – what if I’m awful at selling? What if the other three new employees are really good? What if I forget what I’m meant to say? Well, only one way to find out I guess…