New start
So a week ago today, on November 20th 2007, I applied for a job at PC Mall, as account manager. To make a long story short, MTEQC has been my main bread winner for a decade, and I feel the need for a change, to prove myself once again against new challenges.
This felt like a good opportunity: Contrary to the name, PC Mall has 20% of their sales in Mac business. The company, insofar as I could gather from blogs and other reports,takes care of its employees and offers great training and skill development programs. And, not to be discounted, their compensation and perks package is definitely top tier, one of the best in the industry.
As long as you keep your expectations in line with reality – such as not expecting much more than your base salary for a year or so – it looks like a great company to work with.
The day after my candidacy was sent, I missed a call from PC Mall HR. The Montreal call centre deals with US companies, and so follows the American statutory holidays – they were closed for Thanksgiving, and so it was not until Monday the 26th that I finally got to a phone interview with R. from PC Mall HR, which went so well as to get me invited to an on site interview the next day.
By then I have done my homework on PC mall. I know their sales figure, their growth rate, I’ve even read their leases. Before you can honestly state you would like to work for an enterprise, it’s a bright idea to accretion that you KNOW that company inside and out.
INTERVIEW
I show up early to the call centre at 1100 University. A wise idea – I walked out of Central Station to find that building, and eventually realized it was that same building I had just exited!
That’s a nice plus – once in the subway, you don’t need to go out again. Will be handy in February when the temperature hits -40C.
So after all this, I am still there with time to lose. Plus they are running a bit late with the interviews, so I cool my heels at reception for a while. There’s a Powerpoint presentation running on a large LCD in the corner. Ir run numbers in my head base on the information in offers – based on recent sales, about 40M$ growth in sales year over year. My target salary/commissions of 80K$ after three years building a client base is validated as well.
Then the game is on.
R. takes me to a small board room, where I.sit in front of a PC running Windows, and I am asked to complete a small test. I won’t spoil it for future applicants. but let me just say that, if you are unable to complete this easy Office suite test, perhaps a career review should be made. IT may not be for you.
I read the test instructions four or five times, to make sure I don’t do any dumb mistake. I perform the test. That takes eight of the allotted fifteen minutes. I review again.
Eventually I am led out to an interview with the HR manager.
Sometimes, interviews are hard. At other times, like now, it feels like recalling parts your life over with an old friend. It has nothing to do with romantic chemistry, get me straight – perhaps it’s shared values, or having met in a previous life, or whatever… All I know is that you feel instantly at ease. The interview process actually turns out to be fun!
Don’t you just love it when it happens!
OFFER
So you know an interview went well when it closes on “I don’t usually make offers on a first meeting, but…”
That’s the way this one went. I had a verbal offer for Account Manager, business. Nobody likes rejection, and you have to face it so often in a job seeking process that elation follows acceptance. So I felt quite happy there and then.
But it gets better!
When doing my research on PC Mall, one thread I followed was on how to best proceed with biz dev in the US market. I like efficiency, and I like learning from other’s failures and success. I don’t like mistakes – so if someone can save me from making them, I am grateful.
One field I considered was government procurement and educational markets, where I still have a few contacts in the US. I like the idea of building longer term relationships with IT guys and buyers; and while there is less “action” in selling to these channels, one single procurement contract can mean a huge amount.
Sadly, part of the research pointed out that PC Mall has a special division dealing with those sectors, so I resigned myself that they would not be open to me. It went into my long term, possible promotion grab bag.
My interviewer pulled a Steve Job imitation with “Oh, one more thing…”
Turns out there was a signal position left open in Gov/Edu, and I was seen as an ideal candidate, based on my previous experience in the field!
Yes indeed, would you make that offer I would be extremely interested!...
How’s that for cavia? I’ve been hired for five minutes and I already got a promotion.
TIMELINE
So I start Monday, December 3rd as US Account Manager – Government and Educational markets for PC mall. I don’t yet know which territory I will be assigned, each thing in its own time: Training is extensive and runs around 8 weeks.
I am both excited, enthusiastic and apprehensive. Fear is normal on the even of some major life change, and if I could throw my rear out of an airplane at 15 000 feet, I have little concern regarding fear. It’s there, I accept it – next!
I am looking at the adaptations I will need to do for this new situation. Nothing is insurmountable. Indeed, part of it feels more like a vacation: After a decade of working 80 hours a week or so, from 6:30 until 22:00 almost every day weekend included, the appeal of a “normal” life is strong.
I think the most difficult one will be schedule. As one day blends into another, I am used to work when there is work, and rest when I can. Most of the time I need to look up the calendar and the clock to know the day and time. But that’s just a matter of applying discipline to new conditions. I know my limitations – I am not disciplined by nature, so I compensate with an act of will and proper tools.
I feel like a kid: Weeeeee! This is going to be fuuuuun!