Hired this week as a "Sales Specialist"

[uli2000]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04

Originally posted by: jersiq

You contribute no more to that company than anyone else, barring any sort of slacker.

You are telling me a CEO contributes the same as a factory worker? You are telling me a janitor in a hospital contribute the same as doctors?

If you think so, congratulations, you are a communist.

There is a hierarchy of food chain in any company, even if you are comparing two non-managerial positions. It's life, deal with it.

I cant speak to the CEO and the factory worker, but working in healthcare, the housekeeping staff is just as important as the doctors. If there wasnt people to clean up the shit, no one would ever come to see the doctors. I thank the person who comes in every morning who cleans my office. I try to have the trash bagged up so they can get to other duties as fast as they can. Ive cleaned ER rooms when housekeeping has been so backed up so that patients can still be seen. If I was that ceo, Id be sure my factory workers know how important they are, because without them, there is no buisness, and without buisness, there's no need for a ceo.

 

[miniMUNCH]

For $15 bucks an hour?

F that... I made $25 an hour as electrician apprentice (only because I already knew what hell I was doing) and anywhere from $20-30 doing construction jobs depending on the work. That was what I was doing part time while I was in college.

I actually really dig physical labor jobs... they are simple and generally free of 'office politics.

If could make $100k+ doing electrical or construction (w/o having to have my own business and all the hassle that entails)... I'd do it.

But you made the right decision OP... don't let a company sh1t on you.

 

[RacerXC2C]

I second pyonir,

This should have been discussed upfront. Interviews are two way; both employer and employee have a chance to learn more about each other and determine if they want to take the next step.

The fact that they withheld this 5 week plan from you has to beg the question, what else down the road would be a big 'Surprise!', no bonus? working Holidays, who knows? Not worth finding out the hard way, even to add to the resume.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
I disagree with your 'fake degrees,' simply because, while BA may not give you technical skills, it does show that you have a work ethic and the capacity to learn a wide-variety of things. When hiring for certain positions, this is important, and will give you a leg up over a similar candidate with only work experience (this is assuming the college grad has some work experience, related or unrelated, on his/her resume).

BA's are fine - but if you get a BA in a science, the employer is going to ask you point blank why not the BS in that field? I certainly would. Getting a BA in a science is just silly.

As for Rule #4, since it was such a short duration, he can leave that experience off of his resume. Though, I do agree overall. References are very important and you shouldn't burn bridges at your places of employment.

Depending on his state. In some states it's illegal to leave ANY prior employers off the app/resume if they're within the purview of the document (typically last three employers).

I thought a BA was the same as a BS, its just Bachelors in Art instead of Science or whatever? An AA or AS is the 2 year degree, right?

BS typically has a different course of study with more difficult subjects, hence the distinction.

So you can get a BS in English?

Pretty sure you could at my college. I think you could even get a BS in Art. At my school the BA required a foreign language and the BS required some information systems classes.

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
I disagree with your 'fake degrees,' simply because, while BA may not give you technical skills, it does show that you have a work ethic and the capacity to learn a wide-variety of things. When hiring for certain positions, this is important, and will give you a leg up over a similar candidate with only work experience (this is assuming the college grad has some work experience, related or unrelated, on his/her resume).

BA's are fine - but if you get a BA in a science, the employer is going to ask you point blank why not the BS in that field? I certainly would. Getting a BA in a science is just silly.

As for Rule #4, since it was such a short duration, he can leave that experience off of his resume. Though, I do agree overall. References are very important and you shouldn't burn bridges at your places of employment.

Depending on his state. In some states it's illegal to leave ANY prior employers off the app/resume if they're within the purview of the document (typically last three employers).

I thought a BA was the same as a BS, its just Bachelors in Art instead of Science or whatever? An AA or AS is the 2 year degree, right?

BS typically has a different course of study with more difficult subjects, hence the distinction.

So you can get a BS in English?

Pretty sure you could at my college. I think you could even get a BS in Art. At my school the BA required a foreign language and the BS required some information systems classes.

One of my friends from high school went on to get a BS in Philosophy just because he could. He took two semesters of calculus and two of physics to complete the math/science requirement. He continued on for a Law degree so if you ever get busted for violating the laws of physics, you know who to call.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: ballmode
This Monday I started my first post job graduating. I finished with a bachelor's degree in marketing as well as management.

I got an offer to work at a Japanese facility that produced, shipped, and sold nuts and bolts for Toyota cars/trucks made in America. My title was given as a Sales specialist where I would learn the company and start selling for them.

First day on the job, read books, look at blueprints of all nuts, and get a tour.

2nd and 3rd days, they tell me to go work on the factory floor as part of my training, they even planned out where on the line I would go from spot to spot for the next 5 weeks.

Back breaking work and the whole time I thought to myself, this is what I went to college for 4 years for? I thought my reason for going to college was that I didn't have to work on a factory floor for the rest of my life! This didn't make sense, especially how I could just observe and ask questions instead of doing the PHYSICAL labor. Lifting 30-40 lbs of nuts on plastic totes oh about 2000-2500 times a day wasn't fun. Whine whine, yeah yeah.


****Cliffs:
Start job as a sales specialist
Second day they have me working factory floor doing demanding physical labor
Third day, repeat of second day and I come to find out I have another 5 weeks left of doing this before I start actual sales training.
Tell employer my complaints, lets me go because I was not willing to do the training for sales.



I find all of this crazy, because they never told me this was going to be my training in the interview. I started asking around other employees in the office how it was when they first started and NONE of them ever had to go on the factory line. I don't know how the Japanese people "train" their employees, but after this experience I'm through with this. I guess this is good experience for me. Who knows....



BTW: Pay was ONLY 14.75 an hour, good money for factory work, but for sales ehhh

Yes I would have quit, but I think there's nothing wrong with them wanting you to do that. That's actually an interesting idea; I think I would institute such a program, simply to remind people of how difficult some jobs are. It's typical for management to forget the blood sweat and tears factory workers shed simply working. And doing it day after week after month after year.

However, if I wanted to do such a thing, I would make it a mandatory 5 week (or however long) program they had to go through after their first year before their first raise.

That's interesting.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: ballmode

Originally posted by: bctbct
Maybe when they sized you up they thought you liked nuts.

Seriously you come off as that job being beneath you and over the years I have met several people that were hands on and they become better employees and have a real understanding of their job from both views.

You should have stuck with it and worked toward your end goal.

Seeing as I was still on "restricted" status. That mean no insurance, no benefits, no 401k, no nothing until 60 days had passed.

If I took one day off I was wrote up, two days off I was canned. This even included doctors visits. It was a lost hope for me.


For all those people who voted yes, I'd like to see if you were a college grad or not.

Oh that sucks nevermind then. Especially no insurance; when you're doing work like that.

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: randay
should have stayed until you lined up another job. sure you were making 14.75/hr, but how much are you making now?

so what was the factory worker pay? It sounds like the factory job should have been a Union position, possibly even UAW, but that pay seems low for that.

I might have quit, also, but then again, that wasn't bad pay for a 1st job...so who knows?

 

[OrByte]

interesting poll results.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: OrByte
interesting poll results.

Yes this is one of the more interesting threads I've seen around here. I'm not really sure who I agree with anymore but it has been really informative for a soon-to-be college grad like me.

 

[ballmode]

I updated the info on my first post:

basically gave job description and what they required from their applicants

I also stated that factory workers got $10 an hour and had to go through temp agencies first. The company was about 50-70 employees

 

[AlienCraft]

mmmm a new guy being asked to start at the bottom and learn the job inside out?
OH
MY
GAWD !!!
:shocked:

Where will it end, being asked to <gasp> ANSWER THE PHONE ?

dude, get over yourself. Until you realize the value of each position within the company, you are at risk of over inflating your own position and importance...... oh, too late, my bad.

BTW, why the constant references to "Japanese company"?
Are you in Japan?
Are you attributing this treatment as something inherent in a Japanese company?

One should examine a company's "culture" to the extent possible prior to accepting a position.
No matter though, the first six months are spent undoing all the BS school taught you and is spent trying to get you to see how they do it, is how it's done and despite all of your book learnin', will be the way they do it after you're gone.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: bctbct
OP you are missing the point of the training. When you are a salesman you need to know everything about the product.

If your customer calls you up and asks why one of the bolts you sent him failed, chances are sometime during your training the issue came up at the factory.

Some customer is gong to ask you how much a box of bolts weighs.

He is going to want an answer from you then, not for you to call someone with experience. Taking notes for a week would never prepare you.

:thumbsup: Well, that just makes too much sense.

 

[Savarak]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft
mmmm a new guy being asked to start at the bottom and learn the job inside out?
OH
MY
GAWD !!!
:shocked:

Where will it end, being asked to <gasp> ANSWER THE PHONE ?

dude, get over yourself. Until you realize the value of each position within the company, you are at risk of over inflating your own position and importance...... oh, too late, my bad.

BTW, why the constant references to "Japanese company"?
Are you in Japan?
Are you attributing this treatment as something inherent in a Japanese company?

One should examine a company's "culture" to the extent possible prior to accepting a position.
No matter though, the first six months are spent undoing all the BS school taught you and is spent trying to get you to see how they do it, is how it's done and despite all of your book learnin', will be the way they do it after you're gone.

the references to Japanese company are because it was with Toyota

 

[BarneyFife]

Originally posted by: uli2000
Personally, I think you think you are better than you really are. Maybe the company wanted you to learn everything about the buisness. The Japanese promote from within, but want their managers to know everything about their employees and what they do. I think you just proved you are the stereotypical lazy American. One of the greatest men Ive ever had the pleasure to know personally was K. Rex Whitmore, Pres. and CEO of Kodak in the late 80's and early 90's. He talked about how he started out there in the 50's as a chemical engineer and thru hard work moved up the ranks to eventually run the company. He taught me that no job is beneath you. Needless to say, Ive done some shit I would have never thought I would do, but I learned something from each menial tast which has made me a better manager and employee.

This lazy American thing is a myth. If you want "lazy", go to Europe and see how they march in the streets to prevent 40 hour work weeks. Most people I know put in more than 40 hours plus some do stuff on the side.

IMO, the Japanese/Asians are suckers. They don't work to live, they live to work. Great employees because they'll do anything without saying a peep to you but no way am I going to kill myself in order for some company to make a lot of money. Screw them.

 

[freegeeks]

This lazy American thing is a myth. If you want "lazy", go to Europe and see how they march in the streets to prevent 40 hour work weeks. Most people I know put in more than 40 hours plus some do stuff on the side.

just like the American thing is a myth, the "lazy" european thing is a myth


it is a fact however that the US has the most fat slobs in the world

 

[skywhr]

Sounds like you should have given it more time.
College grad afraid of a little labor, hope it wasn't a mistake.
I have a degree and I have done all sorts of jobs.
I have a professional job and I have also worked 2nd jobs as a bouncer at a bar and a sales person at an adult video store.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: skywhr
Sounds like you should have given it more time.
College grad afraid of a little labor, hope it wasn't a mistake.
I have a degree and I have done all sorts of jobs.
I have a professional job and I have also worked 2nd jobs as a bouncer at a bar and a sales person at an adult video store.

Ha, those sound like hobbies

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Savarak

the references to Japanese company are because it was with Toyota

Fair enough. In that case, this only compounds the insanity of it all.
I'ld say the opportunity lost is immeasurable.

 

[amicold]

Personally I don't think a few weeks of traditional labor would hurt you, and I believe by doing this they've succeeded in their objective. They are more than likely trying to weed out those who they deem aren't going to give it 110%.

 

[kevinthenerd]

HOPEFULLY I'll be taking a position with Kubota tractor soon. They're starting me in assembly. Works for me!

Edit: I'm a dishwasher at a seafood restaurant right now.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: ballmode

Originally posted by: bctbct
Maybe when they sized you up they thought you liked nuts.

Seriously you come off as that job being beneath you and over the years I have met several people that were hands on and they become better employees and have a real understanding of their job from both views.

You should have stuck with it and worked toward your end goal.

Seeing as I was still on "restricted" status. That mean no insurance, no benefits, no 401k, no nothing until 60 days had passed.

If I took one day off I was wrote up, two days off I was canned. This even included doctors visits. It was a lost hope for me.


For all those people who voted yes, I'd like to see if you were a college grad or not.

I would not have lifted a box if I had no medical. Murphy's law would have pwned you. YOu made a good decision. Kind of silly to impose Japanese culture to American workers. I mean, keeping a disciplined factory line is one thing, but making a college grad hired as a salesman to be working the factory lifting heavy items just sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: uli2000

Originally posted by: Imdmn04

Originally posted by: jersiq

You contribute no more to that company than anyone else, barring any sort of slacker.

You are telling me a CEO contributes the same as a factory worker? You are telling me a janitor in a hospital contribute the same as doctors?

If you think so, congratulations, you are a communist.

There is a hierarchy of food chain in any company, even if you are comparing two non-managerial positions. It's life, deal with it.

I cant speak to the CEO and the factory worker, but working in healthcare, the housekeeping staff is just as important as the doctors. If there wasnt people to clean up the shit, no one would ever come to see the doctors. I thank the person who comes in every morning who cleans my office. I try to have the trash bagged up so they can get to other duties as fast as they can. Ive cleaned ER rooms when housekeeping has been so backed up so that patients can still be seen. If I was that ceo, Id be sure my factory workers know how important they are, because without them, there is no buisness, and without buisness, there's no need for a ceo.

you missed the point. A doctor can perform the job of a janitor, but a janitor cannot perform the job of a doctor.