So… you know cruel irony? Like when you post on your blog that you have the best relationship in the world and you break up the next day? Well, sweet irony is like when you give up on your job hunt and find your next job the next day.
I have a job. Let’s start at the top.
Wednesday: I post that I give up my job hunt. I surrender to God and admit that He is in control in the most public forum available. No holding back, no reservations. I give up. Later that day I schedule for an intriguing job posting online.
It was a bit of a strange posting because they were asking specifically for “Restaurant/Hospitality/Retail Experience.” I was curious because the posting was a bit vague. I called in and asked the woman answering (Priscilla) if she had received my resume. She said that she received the questionaire that should have been with my resume, but she didn’t get the resume. She asked me a few quick questions and said that the president of the company would be doing interviews tomorrow (Thursday) and that there was one slot left. Since she had me on the phone, she put me in that slot: 11:30. Fast Forward.
Thursday: 11:30. I am given a 5-minute interview with Julian, the President of Maximus Marketing. This is clearly a time for Julian to see me, see how I carry myself and in a way to size me up. He said that there would be more interviews tomorrow (Friday) and asked if I would be available all day (10-5) for an interview. I say yes. He says that if I’m selected for round 2, I’ll get a call. At 6:30 that night the call finally comes. I passed round 1 and got a callback. Fast Forward.
Friday: I show up 20 minutes early and find that there are already 4 other round 2 candidates in the office. I was at least 5 years younger than all but 1. I’m wearing the only non-black suit. I’m also wearing the only colored tie… red. Great choice. I spend 7 hours on the streets selling with a seasoned employee (Matt) and a new hire (Carlton). At the end of 7 hours, I’m given my third interview. This is only about 20 minutes long. At the end I’m offered a job. I start Tuesday.
My target client is every business owner. The service that handles the processing of credit cards is my product. Most providers have to go through another party who is a direct provider of this service with Visa, Mastercard, etc. These “providers” give you their price, but don’t have to tell you the markups of the direct providers. Thus all the hidden prices. I am going to be selling for the direct provider. The great thing is that there aren’t the annoying markups and hidden prices. Anyway, I don’t know a ton about it yet, so I shouldn’t say too much.
The product seems great and the President is a good Christian man who was quite clear that his company is run on Biblical principles. He promised that I would never be selling something that I had to scam, cheat and swindle to make the sale.
I’m very excited to be starting so soon… now I have a bit of shopping to do. Ties, some shirts, pants, an iron… you know, those things I really should already have. Lukcily I have a long weekend that traditionally has great sales.
I’ve bored you enough. If you want more detail, call or email me.
Thank everyone for all the prayers. You don’t have to stop. I’d appreciate it if you kept going, actually…
Love to all,
Chris
ADDENDUM: I forgot to mention that there were about 30 people in the first round of interviews. There were only six in the second round. (I was the only one who was called back from my day of interviews.) They were only looking for 1 or 2 new employees. I have decided that this whole thing was and is completely God. He is pretty awesome. I am a fan.