Due to COVID19 primary interview was conducted in a video format. It was super easy and took about 15 minutes. The secondary interview was with Phil, the CEO of SSM Direct. It was very friendly and laid back.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about yourself and what makes you a good candidate
Reviewer,
Thank you for this great feedback! The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to change up how we run our interview process and, thanks to this review, we know that we are on the right track. We appreciate you and are excited to welcome you to our team!
Sincerely,
SSM Direct Management Team
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 3 days. I interviewed at SSM Direct (King of Prussia, PA) in Feb 2019
Interview
The interview was Quick and easy, but most of all very personable. The person who interviewed me took the time to get to know me. We talked about sports for a while, and then he asked me a few situational questions to see if I was right for the position. Overall it was a professional and personable all at the same time. I felt relaxed and calm compared to most interviews I go on.
Reviewer,
Welcome to the team!! We are so excited to have you join our ranks. It is great to hear that you found our interview process personable and informative. Here's to building a successful future together!
Sincerely,
SSM Direct Management Team
The interview was normal, until we I asked about salary. Which I though I had a base understanding of after speaking with their HR rep who contacted me about the position. I asked when I was called for this position to set up the interview what is the base salary like to which I was told 30-45k a year. I ask her is there room for negotiation because I would need a base pay of 50k/year for the position. She said that you will be able to earn tons of bonuses and uncapped commission as well. I said okay I understand that but is it possible to negotiate the base pay up to 50, otherwise this will not be a fit. She told me it can be. Fast forward to today. At the end of the interview I was told if they are interested in moving forward with me I will get a call between 3/4pm to set up the shadowing interview. I said okay great then i ask about the salary before I left to just reconfirm what I was told on the phone. The CEO told me they pay you a few bucks an hour and with your commission it is supposed to have you between 30-45k a year.
I told the CEO that I need at least 50k for financial security. I have 5 years of experience, and I’m not looking for entry level. We went back and fourth for a little bit. He said I’m going to be straight with you, I was going to call you back today for the position but I am playing scared, and i am not willing to do the work. I said no I am willing to do the work, just at this point in my career I need more financial security. He said I should be okay with earning approx 40k a year to eventually get to 120k in 3 years... (which is also not guaranteed). So I got up shook his hand and said this just is not going to be a fit for me.
being in sales for 5 years I am not looking for an entry level position. I would not have wasted the half of a day in PTO time to come, In if they were honest about he salary from the start. Doesn’t seem like a bad place to work for someone new just wish they would have represented what the job actually pays accurately.
Reviewer,
We appreciate your candid feedback! Our management team is always looking for new ways to improve our systems. We apologize if there was a miscommunication while speaking with our recruiting team over the phone. It is our goal to always be as transparent as possible with our candidates. The position that you applied for is an entry-level role that is a part of our management training program so the pay can vary. Once again, we apologize for the lack of clarity and wish you all the best in your continued job search!
Sincerely,
SSM Direct Management Team
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