Did I sign up for this???

Ya know........


I'm pretty sure when I applied for this job, no where in the qualifications did it list:

MUST BE ABLE TO ACT


Ummm.....yeah, in fact, I'm almost 100% positive. Had it stated that was a talent you must possess, I wouldn't have even lifted fingers to keys to fill out the darn application.....but alas.....here we are. =(


In a post or two ago, remarked how at the end of this week I have a Skill Certification to perform to determine whether or not these 4 weeks of training have had their projected outcome. Remember??? Well one of the portions, as I told you, is a role play that is to last approximately 2 hours......yeah...you read it right...2 HOURS!!! In this 2 hours, I am supposed to have a conversation with a "customer"....assess their needs (you know-find out what the hell they want)....recommend a plan and features.....and recommend phones. AFTER that is done, I am supposed to actually use our training system (which is COMPLETELY jacked up and out dated) to set up all the changes I need to perform on the system to get the desired out-come. This "play" will determine if I have a job or not. Now....for the most part, this probably seems like an alright thing, it's a piece of cake right???

In most ways you'd be right, but let me tell you why this could turn out badly......



This wonderful fullilling training program is actually quite effective........IF used in the proper manner. For me....this did not happen =(....When I was hired, so were quite a few others. Due to this little fact, training space was limited. I was one of the lucky few that wound up doing what they refer to as "in-store" training. Yeah.....not exactly what I would call it. Here's the way MY training has played out:

Week one- get shoved to Fenton where NO ONE knows exactly what they are supposed to do with you, so for 2 days....you do NOTHING....whoo hoo...fun. Next 2 days you get shoved to Telegraph, there the Leader wants to know how far you are on your training modules??........Ummmm......training what????? I had NO clue what he meant...AT ALL!! I just kinda stood there with this "HUH?" look on my face......He was nice enough to get me set up with what I needed, now I was 2 days behind. I liked it there, Telegraph was nice.....alas it was not to last.....that leader was leaving the next Monday because his wife was having a baby.....my dumb luck.



Week two- Don't find out where you are going until late the past Friday night.....I ended up in Webster Groves for the Monday....there the Leader acted like I was completely in the way. He gave me a computer and I was ignored for the day...YIPPEE.....HOORAY....=( Let me also point out that at the end of each "module" is a "Skill Check" where someone is SUPPOSED to work with you and review what you learned....ummm.....did not happen this day.....Days two (Tuesday - Friday) I was then shuffled off to the Delmar store in the city!!! WTF?!?!? For that week I was shoved into the back room with a computer to do the "modules" and asked every once in a great while by the Leader how I felt.....Really??? You want to know??!!?? I SOOOOO want to tell you....but I'll use my better judgement and just NOT!! I tell him that it's fine, then I smile my biggest "kiss my butt" smile and move on.........by Friday, I had most of my "modules" done and like only 1/4 of my "Skill Checks"....very nice huh???

Week three - Started off at the Delmar store...same room, same amount of help....On Wednesday...I started off at Delmar....when I say started off, I mean - I drove there, got out of my car, went in and was told: OH, we are going to Hampton today......UHHHH....okay....that's fabulous....it would have been WAAAYYYYY more fabulous had you told me that BEFORE I drove over here...considering Hampton is 3 miles from MY DAMN HOUSE!!!! Come on people!!! THINK a little....Hampton is the store I was hired for, duh...because it's CLOSE!!! So I go there...same result...little desk, computer, work alone. Gee big surprise. The rest of the week was carried out in similar fashion at Delmar..

Are any of you beginning to understand my frustration???? No one has time for you, You are training for a test that could mean job or NO job. No one acknowledges your existence half the time and the people you work with give you the impression you are a nuisance.....very nice.....carrying on>>>>

Week four- Here's where I start to be a little upset.....

I am now sent to.......

ready???......

ST. FREAKIN CHARLES!!!

Okay so my 9 hour day just became an 11 hour day....It is a 50 mile round trip for me to go there. For the first couple days, I learn I am an experiment for some chick going through a "Become a Leader" program.....This kind of infuriates me. My future with the company rests on this "certification" and you want some random chick to practice on me??? SHEESH people!!! Cut me some slack!!! I spent all of week four out there learning to help someone else train people...does anyone see anything wrong with that set up??

Week five- I am still out in St. Chuck, but for the past couple of days, I have been doing what I feel I need to do. In fact, I have been demanding time from the experienced folk to get what I need down pat for my "certification" on Friday. I tried it their way, waiting for them to get their crap together, but NO MORE!! My job, my future. I am doing this week - MY WAY.......

I have all my training stuff done and I have been barreling through these miserable role plays to make SURE I pass. I refuse to let this hold me back. I have spent way too much in gas and time to give up. Tomorrow is my last day of practice before D - Day, so wish me luck and hope I don't freeze up from being nervous. Passing will feel so much sweeter because I did it WITHOUT their help and on my own accord.

I will have to say though...the bright spot of the 50 mile round trips daily is the 26.50 they pay me per day for mileage...makes for a nice little chunk of change!!