Getting on with life and not taking things too much to heart are characteristics that I pride myself on. However, working for Copland Events in Camberley was one obstacle that I found too difficult to just ignore. So where do I begin.... The interview I guess...
So as I sat waiting in reception for someone to come and take me to my interview I was full of optimism and hope that my first graduate job since leaving university was going to be a great opportunity for me to develop my sales career and give myself a foothold in what is a challenging, yet rewarding industry. As I was collected, after half an hour of waiting, I was reluctant to put the interview skills I had learnt to use to try and convince the manager that I was cut out for the job. The interview seemed to flow well and I was "lucky" enough to be invited back for what I thought was a second interview. However, it was anything but - more of a social experiment. I understand that especially in today's job market, employers have the option to be more selective but to sit around a table knowing that every comment and action is being carefully analysed by 7 different people made me feel very uncomfortable. Although, I didn't feel overwhelmed by the experience I was still overjoyed to hear that they were happy to offer me a position at the company as a business development executive. I was informed at this stage that the £18,000 salary advertised was now to be decreased to £16,000 because there were training costs that had not been accounted for. I understood that because I didn't have any experience it was likely that there were likely to be training costs although I had assumed these would have already been accounted for considering the advertisement was asking for recent graduates. I understand the Copland Events are still advertising the job for £18,000 and then decreasing the salary to £16,000 once a job has been offered. Unprofessional.
My first week at the job was good. I learnt useful system and admin skills that would allow me to do my job and at this point people made me feel quite welcome and at the end of the week I thought I had found a job I enjoyed and was willing to work hard at to reach my full potential. As the second week began it seemed that the "honeymoon period" had come to quite an abrupt. Although everyone feels obliged to say "good morning" and "good night" at the start and end of every working day - it doesn't take a therapist to work out that these are half-hearted (almost forced) attempts to make the managers feel like there is an element of care for employees. One small catch-up with the manager gave me the opportunity to ask if it was possible to leave at 5:30pm (the time that I was contractually obliged to stay to) due to family commitments to which she replied that was fine. It became a re-occurring theme that 2 of my colleagues kept going into a glass boardroom having quite long discussions with the manager. These colleagues were both doing the same job I was doing so I was a little confused as to why I wasn't being asked to join these meetings. It then became apparent that I was being discussed in these meetings because they would keep looking over at me and my colleague would instantly come over to me and tell me what I needed to do to improve. Surely, it would have made sense for the manager to just tell me rather than doing it through a middle person and making me feel, yet again, uncomfortable!
As I was picking things up, the Friday of my second week arrived. At this point I still felt happy and was still working to the best of my ability so although I was looking forward to catching up with friends for the weekend, there was no indication of what was to come. I was called into the boardroom by the manager, shortly after another colleague who was also taken on the same day as me. I was relatively optimistic for the meeting because I believed my performance was exceeding expectations - there was certainly no reason to believe I was under performing. This would explain the huge shock and devastation when I was told that I needed to think long and hard over the weekend as to whether I thought this was the career for me and that unless I "picked my game up" that they would have to let me go. I was absolutely gutted to hear this. I have always given my best in every job I have worked in and as my recommendations would agree, excelled in every position I have held. Due to a system update we were allowed to go out for lunch but upon return there was a very hostile, tense environment where it was obvious that word had spread I was on the verge of being let go unless things changed. To ensure it wasn't just a pep talk I asked my colleague who had been in for a meeting just before me what was discussed with him. He explained how he was told how well he was doing and how optimistic the manager was with him. He is a really nice guy and does work hard but at this point we had both made exactly the same number of sales and an almost identical number of calls to customers.
I used the weekend as an opportunity to contemplate what I really wanted from the job and whether I wanted to pursue it considering all the events that had occurred, I decided that in my third week I was going to give it absolutely everything and hopefully smash it out the park. I arrived considerably early and made several calls before even the manager had arrived! The tone of my voice had improved and I was raring to go and make more sales. At the end of the day I notified the manager that I had decided to give it everything I've got and give it a real shot - much to what seemed like disappointment running down her face. I ignored this and was the last one in the office - something I continued to do all week!
As the company is expanding, there were several applicants who were coming into the office for interviews. The selection process involved looking and judging people by there appearance in the interview and by their Linked In profiles where there was a constant reference to weight and attractiveness. There was one applicant who was not offered a job because they were "too large" and another because they sounded like a "mouse on helium" - with several other harsher remarks also said. It made me wonder what sort of comments were being said about me behind my back.
Towards the end of my third week, I was told to go into the boardroom in front of all the employees. I was told that they were letting me go. I was devastated. I had never been in a position before where a manager was not satisfied with my performance - let along letting me go! The reason for the dismissal was because I didn't appear to be enjoying myself as well as because I had asked if it was OK to leave at 5:30pm one day because it showed a "lack of commitment" besides the fact it was a one-off due to family commitments. As much as I love getting stuck into a job, if I have completed all my work and have competed the day I am obliged to complete I feel as though I am in my right to leave. On reflection it was probably the best thing that could have happened to me as I am now in a job I am really happy with and have recently been given a promotion after just 2 months. The sacking of my colleague who joined at the same time as me has prompted this blog due to the unprofessional and unfair treatment of staff that occurs at Copland Events. I would strongly recommend that anyone who applies for this position strongly considers the treatment and people that they would be working with.
