So every interview I've been on the person across from me has looked at my resume and said, "Wow you were at AIU a really long time, what was that like?"
And all I can do is smile. I was there only two years (technically 11 months and 2 weeks). But I guess for employers AIU is kind of like dog years x2.
But the part where I become a phenomenal sales person is how I talk myself up without bad mouthing the company.
Its so easy to bash the previous company that you work for, but I don't care what company you've worked for, I believe its inappropriate in an interview. Especially a first interview. Not to mention the fact that there isn't one bad thing I can say about that company that they haven't heard before. I say its high pressure and they say "I heard it was pretty cut throat". I say it was a complex sale and they say, "That's putting it lightly". I say it was intense and they say it was "toxic". And the whole time I come across as this seasoned professional who can work well in a boiler room atmosphere.
The lady I interviewed today (so I get some temp work until my full time job kicks in later this month) was ready to offer me a full time position with the temp agency as a recruiter. I politely declined but she insisted that she was going to forward her resume onto her manager. Okay lady, whatever you got to do.
So I say, "Thank You AIU". Where some people would walk away from you with a bitter taste, I can only see the silver lining because the experience you have given me, and more imporantly, the reputation that you've given yourself, has made the post-aiu job hunt that much easier.
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6 comments:
LOL, I'm coming across the same thing! Its hilarious. This guy today told me "well you were there over two years, thats an accomplishment in an of itself..." and I was like, "really? I had no idea anyone else knew!" And another guy told me, "well if you were at AIU for 2 years, I can tell right there that you've got it together, you certainly aren't a hopper"
who knew?? Its like everyone is aware of AIU's reputation, and whether you worked there 3 months or 3 years, you either get sympathy or a medal of honor. I bet by the time Phil gets out of there in 2009, he'll win the Purple Heart
yeah, and a lot of debt. ha!
Temp agencies and other job like AIU see it as a major accomplishment because they know what it's like. But lets be honest, no one wants a job like AIU or anything that remotely resembles it.
Good luck applying to decent companies. I'm not trying to be a dick but the reception you get will be of a different tone.
You are being a dick though because you're just making a random unsubstantiated claim. It's kind of a dick move. Hiring agencies are what often put you in front of these magical "decent" companies you speak of.
Pivotal is a multi-billion dollar organization, as is Stericycle and I got props from both of those for the time I served at AIU.
Once you explain AIU's processes to anyone that understands selling or marketing over the phone, they will applaud the amount of time you put in there.
My idea of a "decent" job does not involve being a telemarketer.
A random unsubstantiated claim?
I have been on several interviews for outside sales companies over the past two years and this is the reaction I've seen. Whether you want to believe it or not, we are looked down upon outside of the Inside Sales environment.
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