NWR: Am I just being ridiculous?

ECI1151

So I hada job interview last Friday and it went really well. While I was there they asked me to come back next week and do a rep ride around. Its an outside sales job so they want me to come back in and ride around with one of the sales reps for the day and get a feel for what I would be doing.

When I went in for the first interview there was no one else at the office other then the girl at the front desk and the manager. I did not meet any of the sales reps.

After thinking about it I don't know that I am comfortable showing up and getting in the car with someone I have never met before. I am thinking about notifying them and saying that I decided to accept another job offer that I got or something.

I guess my question is am I just being ridiculous and paranoid or am I right for feeling that this rep ride around thing is kind of unsafe? Should I still go or not?

Has anyone else in that works in sales had to do this as part of the interview process?

Mrs.B6302007

I can see where you would be uneasy  but I wouldn't lie about it in case you do end up getting a job there.  Could you request to be partnered up with a female rep?

ECI1151

I guess I could try to be partnered up with a female rep. I didn't meet or see any of the other reps when I went in for my first interview though but I'm guessing they would have at least one female rep. Would I sound weird though if I called ahead of time and asked to be partnered up with a female rep?

L-Bride

I guess I can see where you would be uneasy. I personally would be fine with this and I would assume they would put me in a "ride along" with one of their most professional  sales reps.

ETA: Yes, this is very common for you to be doing this for an outside sales position. They want to show you what you would be doing so you'll be sure you want the job if they offer it to you.

Beachy730

Are you worried about being alone in the car with the rep and something could happen?  Or are you just worried about driving with someone who you don't know their driving skills?  I took it as the driving skills part until I read MrsB's response. 

tidetravel

Females rape/kill other females, too, so I'm not sure why that would make much of a difference.   I get where you're coming from, but I don't think that I would risk a potential job on that fear.  Perhaps you can call and get the name of the person that's supposed to pick you up, and ask that they provide identification upon arrival.  If you're really concerned, treat it like a blind date - tell someone who you'll be with, where you expect to be, and what time you expect to be home.

Beachy730

Ditto tide.  And carry mace.

ECI1151

I'm just worried that I will end up in a car with some creepy person that I don't know and something could happen.

The Mel and Todd Show

This is pretty common for sales positions.  If it's not a well known company, I would google and see if you can find any past applicant experiences.  I, as well, would be uncomortable going to ride along with someone I had never met if it were a local operation with only one office and no "known" name.  If it's, like, Pfizer or something, though, you're probably okay. 

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

That... probably wouldn't occur to me. I'm assuming the experienced sales reps have had people shadow them before in this manner.

Manwaithiel

I think you're being a little ridiculous. Maybe it's because I feel like right now, jobs are about as precious as diamonds and things like this are just not something that I would immediately go "Oooo, creepy!" about. I guess anything can happen, but I feel like if you do that, you're going to come off as really high maintenance, and as someone who needs to be able to work as independently as a sales rep, that's not going to win you any points. It also kinda of looks like you don't trust the firm's hiring decisions and unless you have a reason to not trust it, you really are being paranoid.

If you really feel THAT weird about it, get a can of mace or something and keep your phone on you at all times. Research the company and its reputation. This is really no different than getting in a taxi except for the fact that the company KNOWS you are with this person and expect you back at a certain time I'd imagine.

ECI1151

Tide- Thats kind of why I feel that I am being ridiculous. I know that these are not the times to be picky about job offers. I know I need to take what I can get. Esspecailly because I am graduating college on Saturday so this will be my first job.

DNB- yea I def plan on getting some mace!

ECI1151

It is a well known company that has offices all over the country. The office I would be at is a new office. They have just expanded to Atlanta.

Mrs.B6302007

I thought about the driving skills, too but there's no way around that.

As far as female vs. male rep goes, sure females do crazy things, too, but, each person's background is different. The chances of something happening with either gender in this type of situation are very small but probably even less so with a female so I can see where a female would make a request to ride with a female.  Even more so if a female potenital hire (and I'm not saying OP) had a previous unwanted encounter with a male.  A company should be sensitive to requests, even if they don't know the reason behind the request.  If a possible hire were to make that request and be denied (unless there are no female reps), I would turn down the job anyway.

The Mel and Todd Show

In a sales position, you will more than likely be expected to cold call on businesses, both by phone and in person.  I think putting it out there right now that you are uncomfortable with strangers is going to effectively remove you from the pool of applicants.  I feel that ensuring your safety is something you need to do quietly in this situation (do your research on the company, arm yourself in whatever manner you feel is appropriate) and don't mention these concerns to the hiring manager.  If you do some research and are still uncomfortable to the point where you don't want to do this, then don't. 

L-Bride

Have you ever had an outside sales rep position before? I'm just wondering because if you continue to interview for these jobs you will encounter this again.

The only little trick I can think of is to ask where the meeting is your going to because you would like research that particular company before you meet with them. That way you can tell your fi where you'll be...if that makes you feel a bit better.

Anysunrise

Ditto PPs. Get some mace, make sure you have your phone and let someone know where you'll be and how long if you're that worried. It'll be fine. I understand paranoia, I'm the same way, but just be prepared instead of cancelling altogether. Chances are, nothing's going to happen, so it'd be silly to throw away a job oppotunity because of it.

Beachy730

Even if it is a new office I'm sure they will put you with someone that they know and trust.  Especially if they are relying on that person to come back to them with a review of you.  Just take some precautions and you'll be fine.  I definitely wouldn't lie about getting another job just because you are nervous about it.

L-Bride

It's also hard for me to answer this question because I don't know you. I'm not sure if you're a nervous person in general.
My rule of thumb is always listen to your intuition about these things but some people's intuitions can be masked by a nervous personality.

ECI1151

Nope, no sales job before. Well I have had an internship with sales but no real sales job. I'm graduating with my marketing degree on Saturday so I'm just now entering the big girl job world I guess you could say.

But thank you for all of the replies. It makes me feel alot better about everything!

tidetravel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-am-just-being-ridiculous?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:6243b40b-27ec-4759-be2a-f74d6ede31bePost:9fbbbc1c-335b-4886-b0cc-1a3296416e59">Re: NWR: Am I just being ridiculous?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm just worried that I will end up in a car with some creepy person that I don't know and something could happen.
Posted by ECI1151[/QUOTE]

Something, like... what, exactly?  Rape/murder/etc?  If that's the case, wouldn't a sales rep position require you to drive out alone and meet strangers every day?  If that's something that you're truly worried about, why are you getting into this field of work?

Also, I agree w/ Mel.  I think that saying you're not comfortable riding around with a stranger would look bad for your job prospects in this particular field.

ECI1151

I think i'm just a paranoid kind of person. I'm on of those people that like checks all the dorrs to make sure they are locked like 4 times before I go to bed.

Mrs.B6302007

Regarding being paranoid: There's nothing wrong with being cautious but you also have to live your life.  It doesn't sound like this is the line of work for you.

mica178

I think if you don't go, the company could take it as a lack of interest on your part.  Take PPs' advice: bring mace and preprogram the number of the local taxi company on your cellphone.

L-Bride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-am-just-being-ridiculous?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:6243b40b-27ec-4759-be2a-f74d6ede31bePost:4c6db65e-2b17-4051-a525-ddb13943086b">Re: NWR: Am I just being ridiculous?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think i'm just a paranoid kind of person. I'm on of those people that like checks all the dorrs to make sure they are locked like 4 times before I go to bed.
Posted by ECI1151[/QUOTE]

Okay gotcha. Yes, I would say you're going to be fine. This kind of a job may be good for you. It will show you that the world isn't as scary as it appears on tv <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />

Good luck with your interview if you decide to go.

ECI1151

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-am-just-being-ridiculous?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:6243b40b-27ec-4759-be2a-f74d6ede31bePost:d97e2ce7-a6ef-4ef5-b636-7c2e80f5e32e">Re: NWR: Am I just being ridiculous?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR: Am I just being ridiculous? : Something, like... what, exactly?  Rape/murder/etc?  If that's the case, wouldn't a sales rep position require you to drive out alone and meet strangers every day?  If that's something that you're truly worried about, why are you getting into this field of work? Also, I agree w/ Mel.  I think that saying you're not comfortable riding around with a stranger would look bad for your job prospects in this particular field.
Posted by tidetravel[/QUOTE

Yea...but I would be meeting these people at there place of work or in some other public place like a resturant or something so that dosn't bother me. I think its just the being by myself in someone elses car where I feel like I don't rerally have control over the situation that kind of freaks me out.

I think I have just watched way to many law and order and NCIS episodes lol

Birdie1483

There is the chance that this company might automatically pair you with a female sales person without being asked to avoid the potential for any libability.

There are many companies/businesses that have the practice of having an additional woman in a room if a man is meeting with a woman so they safegaurd themselves against any accusations of wrong-doing.

I understand your concern, but I would do as PP's have suggested and just tell someone the information of when and where you'll be and pack heat if you need to. I keep a stun gun in my bedroom dressor for protection. I believe you can carry those without needing a license (if you want something more powerful than mace!)

jroark8

If you really believe that this company would hire a "creepy" person or someone who could be untrust worthy in anyway, why would you want to work for them? If you take the job these will be your co-workers going into the job interview with this type of thought process would probably be detrimental to you even getting the job. How you interact with the sales rep you are riding with is still part of the job interview. Generally they set you up to ride with the most senior sales rep because they want that persons opinion of you. You don't get to choose who interviews you in the office, so why do you think you would get to choose who interviews you in the field. Chances are that they will call clients that you called on in the day to see what their impression of you was. Take personal precautions but don't be overly paranoid if this is a job you want.

Beachy730

And OP, the fact alone that you're going to be alert and prepared in case something happens makes you less likely to be a victim.  So just remember that.  Most random attacks are on those who don't suspect anything and don't take any precautions. 

Snippylynn

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-am-just-being-ridiculous?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:6243b40b-27ec-4759-be2a-f74d6ede31bePost:6a3ecb9f-3c2c-4f59-a346-b43aa7ae83be">Re: NWR: Am I just being ridiculous?</a>:
[QUOTE]Females rape/kill other females, too, so I'm not sure why that would make much of a difference.   I get where you're coming from, but I don't think that I would risk a potential job on that fear.  Perhaps you can call and get the name of the person that's supposed to pick you up, and ask that they provide identification upon arrival.  If you're really concerned, treat it like a blind date - tell someone who you'll be with, where you expect to be, and what time you expect to be home.
Posted by tidetravel[/QUOTE]

Tide is so wise.

danieliza1127

It seems to me that if you're this concerned about doing a ride along with a sales rep that you don't know, then maybe being an outside sales person isn't the job for you.  I assume as a sales rep, you would be going into homes or businesses of people you don't know as a regular part of the job.  If you're worried about riding with an employee of the company you are hoping will hire you...then it seems like you would be even more worried about going alone into businesses and places you aren't familiar with.

For what's it worth, I think you're being overly paranoid.