vB Easy Archive - Cingular Wireless Hiring Process

Pages: 1

Cingular Wireless Hiring Process
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Hey everybody, I've been a lurker on the boards for about 2 weeks now and finally decided to register and post. I've been considering a career change into the wireless industry, and reading all your posts has really helped me learn a lot and gain some more confidence in applying for sales positions. So, I guess, thanks for just talking about "work stuff" everyday. It's been a big help.

My first choice company to work for is Cingular Wireless. I know, I know, some people here have some serious issues with the company and would love to change my mind about applying, but it is my first choice because making a few bucks less than the guy at Verizon doesn't bug me too much, I have friends/references within the company, and I think I would just fit in best with its particular "culture". So I went ahead and applied for a position here in Austin, TX, and I've got a few questions for y'all...

I applied online for the RSC position way back in July, and didn't hear anything from Cingular until yesterday. I finally received an email from a recruiter, inviting me to take the online assessment. I have a feeling that it had something to do with my RSC friend, whose store's manager I had personally sent my resume to last week - are managers allowed to bypass the online hiring process to some extent, and offer assessment invitations themselves, etc.?

I took the online assessment and think I did well. Afterward, I got the message "Thank you for your interest in this position. A Cingular Wireless recruiter will contact you within 5 to 7 days to notify you of the next step in the hiring process". Does anybody know if that message indicates that I definitely passed the assessment? Or could this recruiter contact me and inform me that the next step in MY hiring process is to try applying to Burger King?

I just have one last question, and it's about the background check (assuming I make it to this step). I know that the check is comprised of Employment History, Educational History, and Criminal History. I've heard that it also includes Credit History, but others tell me that is untrue. I'm absolutely fine in terms of Employment, Educational, and Criminal... but let's just say I had some "credit issues" about three years back, that are now resolved, but still reflected on my credit report. Any info on whether or not that is part of the check, and if it is a substantial factor for consideration in hiring candidates?

Thanks for any time y'all can take to answer any of these, I appreciate it very much!

Posted by: BellaDea

1. I believe managers do have some power in the online process of applying. So it's possible the store manager you sent your resume to contacted the right people, they found your online app, noticed you didn't do the assesment and invited you to do so.

2. The assesment is not a test... it's just that, an assesment. By answering the questions the way you did it can tell the company a lot about what kind of person you are and what kind of employee you'll be for them. The assesments are used by a lot of companies for this purpose. The message at the end is just a general message. In my experience if you don't hear anything in the 5 business days contact the manager again to find out the status or your application. I'm sure he/she could find out for you.

3. I highly doubt they check credit scores. If they did I wouldn't be here being I have a write-off from AT&T. You don't have to worry about that part I'm sure.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Thanks a lot, mo162! The reason I was thinking that the assessment was a traditional scored test is because before I began taking it, there was a message that said something along the lines of "You will need to achieve the recommended score in order to be further considered for employment". So I was answering the questions honestly, but still had that "SAT anxiety".

The corporate store where I am applying for a job currently has 2 part-time RSC positions open. My friend who works at that location mentioned that a hiring manager may opt to combine the two positions, and just hire one full-time employee (the downside is that for each full-time employee hired, the store's quota is raised).

I'm hoping that if I am hired as part-time, that there will still be a possibility that I could be bumped up to full-time after awhile. Is Cingular pretty flexible when it comes to that, or do employees tend to remain what they were hired as?

Posted by: BellaDea

Being bumped up to full time is up to the manager and how the region is doing hitting their productivity numbers. The worse they're doing, the less full time employees they can have and vise versa (at least for this market). also willing to transfer to another store to achieve full time status is another possibility.

I think the scoring thing is an internal thing. you might get a higher score if your personality matches for what they're looking for. that's my guess.

Posted by: Big Mike

First off, Glad you chose Cingular. I'm not up to speed on the process in the stores etc (I work in Telesales) But I would like to recomend losing the "Y'all" from your vocabulary. You have no idea how many people call in and tell me they decided to call directly because the Store reps seemed slow or stupid. I don't agree with that at all, the reps at the store I go to are very knowlegable and helpful. Just a suggestion, from one of the guys who hears the customers horror stories about the stores.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Thanks for the advice Big Mike, I've been trying to tone down my use of "y'all". It's just something I picked up on when I moved to Texas... lost the Boston accent, but Southern slang kind of took its place.

Looks like I'm making some progress with the hiring process so far. I took the online assessment this past Monday. That same day, I emailed my resume and intro letter to the RSM who manages the store that a friend of mine used to work at. Apparently, my friend put in a good word for me. Yesterday (Saturday), I got an email back from the RSM, offering to schedule an interview for this coming week!

Now all I need to do is return the phonecall I missed from Human Resources (probably regarding the results of my assessment). Does anybody know if the call from HR is just to confirm your application's info, or is it a full-blown phone interview? I'm just not sure if I should have some interview answers prepared for when I call them back. It also seems like I might be doing things out of order... isn't the HR phonecall supposed to be the deciding factor in whether or not you even get the interview with an RSM that I've already set up?

Also, how was training for all of you RSCs? A friend of mine worked for AT&T before the merge, and his training was 2 weeks long. It seemed like they took in new employees kind of like fraternity pledge classes, and just trained them all in one swipe. This friend had a 4-week wait between landing the job and starting training, because they apparently only trained 1 "pledge class" a month. Does Cingular do that as well?

Posted by: neils

I'm thinking about applying for a part-time gig at one of the local corporate stores. Where did you guys apply at online? I dug through the cingular website today but can't find anything

Posted by: MrAlifEkin

i found my first position with the company through careerbuilder.com

Posted by: BellaDea

HR: they are usually the ones that get your online application first so the call was to probably get more info to pass on to the managers.

Training: the training classes have been cut down to a week depending on your market. an orange employee here said he did two weeks in colorado but some others I know only did a week so I think it just depends on where the training class is. also, they'll train you in the store until that new employee training somewhere else happens. I loved my training. I did two weeks in LA and for the most part it was nice. the first week was pointless IMO but i got a free trip to LA so i couldn't argue with that

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by mo162

HR: they are usually the ones that get your online application first so the call was to probably get more info to pass on to the managers.

Training: the training classes have been cut down to a week depending on your market. an orange employee here said he did two weeks in colorado but some others I know only did a week so I think it just depends on where the training class is. also, they'll train you in the store until that new employee training somewhere else happens. I loved my training. I did two weeks in LA and for the most part it was nice. the first week was pointless IMO but i got a free trip to LA so i couldn't argue with that

Yeah, that training bit sounds like fun. Send me to LA anyday. I met my ex when they were sent from Louisiana to Austin for 2 weeks on AT&T training. All expenses paid plus reimbursements on all food/"living expenses" up to a reasonable amount. Unfortunately, since that training took place here, that's probably where mine will take place and I won't be leaving the city.

I'm kind of kicking myself right now, though. I've been in touch with an RSM for about 2 weeks through email. Said I'd have an interview at some point this week, so when I got the HR call, I mentioned that to them and they didn't bother to schedule one for me with some other random RSM in the area. Unfortunately, it's been almost impossible to get ahold of this RSM I've been wanting to interview with, and I'm kind of wishing I had also taken an HR-scheduled interview as a backup.

Posted by: BellaDea

try calling HR back and let them know what happened.

as for the training, we do trainings here in Salt Lake City and I was sent to LA. You get sent to the one that is soonest to your hire date.

Posted by: neils

I already have a good full time job, but I 'm trying to save up money to buy my fiance' an engagement ring (good lord those things are expensive) so I'm contemplating a second job.

The pay is fairly decent and I'm looking forward to getting to play around with cell phones. I was talking to a friend about saving up money and other ways of making money and brought up a part-time job, he said to do something you enjoyed, since cingular is my carrier of choice that's what brought me here.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by mo162

try calling HR back and let them know what happened.

as for the training, we do trainings here in Salt Lake City and I was sent to LA. You get sent to the one that is soonest to your hire date.

Thanks for the advice, everybody. I'm so confused right now. The RSM who I've been in contact with has continued to be impossible to reach personally, to set up an interview that I was supposed to have this week. Well it's Friday now, so I went ahead and called HR back, to see if I could schedule one with that RSM through their department. The mess that followed...

First, I finally got through to an HR rep. I gave her my phone number so she could look up my profile information. She pulled up my info and notified me that I have 6 pending profiles(!?!?). I have no idea how that came about - I only applied for 1 position. The HR rep tells me not to worry, because "this phone call session will clear all the rest out"... whatever that means.

Then, the HR rep asked me 3 questions, about what I'd do if I saw a coworker violating company policy; what the most important aspect of my sales ability is, and an example from my past experience; and how long I intend to stay with the company. After answering all three, the HR rep told me "Congratulations, you've moved on to the next step in the process... you'll be getting an email within 1-7 days regarding an online assessment".

A couple things about this situation seem strange:

1) When HR contacted me a week ago to "verify my applicant profile", I was NOT asked those 3 questions I mentioned above... all I was asked was if my contact info/mailing address are still the same, and was told that they would now set me up with an interview (which I bypassed, because I told the HR rep I was setting up an interview with that RSM personally).

2) I already took an online assessment, almost 2 weeks ago! It asked me all these scenerio-type multiple choice questions, and a bunch of personality-type indicator questions. Is there ANOTHER online assessment that I am now waiting on, or am I repeating the one I did before???

I'm just completely lost right now. Am I now stuck doing a retread over steps in the application process that I've already completed, or am I really moving on to "the next step"? If anybody has any insite or could let me know what the steps in the process were for them, that would be great. Thanks everybody!

Posted by: varsityng53

hey everyone, so i already had an interview with T-Mobile a couple of weeks back and now have an interview with Cingular tomorrow afternoon, my question is, if i do get both jobs which one should i go with? I hear cingular sucks to work for, do employees get like a employee phone plan? cuz if the deal was good enough i would go with cingular cuz im moving this week and where im moving too theres no reception with tmobile but there is with cingular

Posted by: DaleJr#8

Quote:

Originally Posted by varsityng53

I hear cingular sucks to work for, do employees get like a employee phone plan?

yes, Cingular sales reps do get a company issued phone (and service). the majority population usually gets a V551 to use.

Posted by: varsityng53

ohhhh, whats the plan that they get?

Posted by: varsityng53

oh and whats the discounts on the other phones? if there is one.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

WOOHOO!!! Finally got my interview scheduled for this week! Besides the "dress nicely, show you can sell, be friendly" stuff, does anybody have any other tips or subjects to be sure to touch on during the interview?

Also, how have your interviews gone in the past? Are there usually more than one interview (this will be my first)? If I do well enough, should I expect a "we'll get back to you if we're interested", or will I be handed drug test papers, etc. right on the spot? Some people have said they were told "we'll get back to you...", and then had to wait 2-4 weeks for a job offer letter to arrive in the mail. What's everybody's experience with this been? I'm excited!

Posted by: varsityng53

I just had my interview and it was not that bad. He only asked me like ten questions and then went through the job description and told me what the pay was and stuff and said that he would send all my info to the regional manager and i should get a call on monday. But the manager who interviewed me didn't write anything down during the interview so im wondering maybe he just wasn't even interested or maybe i would have gotten the job either way. Damn

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Well, I've got my interview with a hiring manager tomorrow at 11. I've got copies of my resume and cover letter ready to hand over to him. Now I'm working on putting together some notes and points to touch on during the interview.

Can anybody fill me in on what kind of questions will be asked, and which I should put some extra effort into answering? I'm expecting "What are your greatest strengths?", "What are your weaknesses?", "What past work experience will help you with this job?", etc., but I'm wondering if there are any others that you all could give me a heads up on. Also, anything I should be sure to ask?

Thanks everybody!

Posted by: neils

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatphoneguy83

....

Can anybody fill me in on what kind of questions will be asked, and which I should put some extra effort into answering? I'm expecting "What are your greatest strengths?", "What are your weaknesses?", "What past work experience will help you with this job?", etc., but I'm wondering if there are any others that you all could give me a heads up on. Also, anything I should be sure to ask?

Thanks everybody!

I was actually looking at the strengths / weakness question for something else when I ran across these websites - the first is from monster and the second is from some place called careerjournal.

monster

career journal

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Well, I just got back from my first interview. I think I did really well, but I'm not sure about the outcome right now.

My experience was pretty similar to Varsityng53's. The store manager asked me about ten questions, but I noticed he wrote A LOT down as I was speaking throughout the interview. He complemented me on my preparation for the interview, too. Hopefully, those were signs of interest.

He didn't have me fill out a job application or anything (and stupidly, I didn't ask), and I was told that he did not have any open positions in his store at the moment, but he knows of other stores in the city with open positions. He said that part of the process would be for him to send my information to those other hiring managers with open positions. Apparently, I am supposed to hear from an HR represtative in 1 to 2 weeks, about a "follow up" with a store manager.

What's this sound like to you guys? From your experience, would you say I'm close to landing a job, or does it seem like I'm getting "the brush off"?

Also, thanks Neil for the links to those interview questions.

Varsityng53, have you heard back from anybody after your interview? How's all that going?

Posted by: BellaDea

i think if you got an interview with a manager you're pretty close. maybe follow up with that manager in a week if you haven't gotten a call. Though HIS store doesn't have any positions open, he can be your contact for other stores or he can give you one.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by mo162

i think if you got an interview with a manager you're pretty close. maybe follow up with that manager in a week if you haven't gotten a call. Though HIS store doesn't have any positions open, he can be your contact for other stores or he can give you one.

Thanks for the insight! I figured that would be the case. I just thought it was weird that I left the interview thinking, "Uh... so I had this interview with a manager with no open positions... was told he'd forward my info to hiring managers... so what the hell did I actually accomplish?". Just seemed like I didn't make any progress, since I'd just need to do the same interview again with another manager. I'll keep in touch with the one I interviewed with today, though.

Posted by: b!6@2

I had an interview with cingular this past tuesday (4th). I was refered by an employee and his manager to get me on board asap. Unfortunately, they didnt like the fact that I have a set schedule that I would like to go by as I come on board.

A few days later, I was refered to another location for an interview that took in oddball schedules. I will have an interview tommorow afternoon at a different location. I think this is the final interview for this location. These were all store managers that gave the interview and Im not sure if there are any others below for pre-screens.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by b!6@2

I had an interview with cingular this past tuesday (4th). I was refered by an employee and his manager to get me on board asap. Unfortunately, they didnt like the fact that I have a set schedule that I would like to go by as I come on board.

A few days later, I was refered to another location for an interview that took in oddball schedules. I will have an interview tommorow afternoon at a different location. I think this is the final interview for this location. These were all store managers that gave the interview and Im not sure if there are any others below for pre-screens.

Good luck with your interview tomorrow! Hopefully the manager I interviewed with will do the same as yours, and refer me to a different location. Did the HR department contact you, or did you just call this other store?

Posted by: b!6@2

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatphoneguy83

I havent heard from anyone in HR; although, the call came directly from the store manager right after the 1st interview. I had to re-submit the online application for the recruiter to view and get my background verified.

If all goes well, which I think it should, I should be on board.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by b!6@2

How's things moving along for you? End up getting the job???

I finally heard from a different store manager, and had my interview with him today. The manager at a different store that I originally interviewed with put in a really good word for me. The best part? My original interview was for a low-volume store, and my interview today was for one of the highest volume locations in the city!

I think the interview went really well. The manager only touched on my past experience a little bit, since he had already received the "transcript" of my original interview. This meeting was basically all about how things are run at the store, compensation outline, quotas, dress code, and asking when I could start working if I am hired. All through the interview, I got the vibe that I was a shoe-in, but didn't want to get overconfident in myself. He said he would continue interviewing other candidates, but if I am chosen, I would be notified very early on next week.

Is that when the background check and everything would take place? How long does that kind of stuff usually take? The application process has so far lasted 1 1/2 months. I want to start working now!!!

Posted by: EVIL 954RR

Hey guys I was wondering if they ask for high school diploma when you see the HR person?

Posted by: varsityng53

im pissed..they said i didnt have enough sales experience

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by EVIL 954RR

Hey guys I was wondering if they ask for high school diploma when you see the HR person?

I think that is left to the background check agency to verify.

Quote:

Originally Posted by varsityng53

im pissed..they said i didnt have enough sales experience

That sucks man, sorry to hear that. Can you try applying to a different location or for a different position? Maybe that particular manager was looking for someone with more experience, but another manager might be able to take in new employees to "groom". Something will come up!

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Alright, so like I said in my earlier post, I just had my 2nd interview yesterday, and it went great. I'm pretty sure I will be receiving a job offer, but of course, there's always that chance that I won't. So last night I got a voicemail from T-Mobile (who I applied to months and months ago, and had since forgotten about) asking for me to call and schedule a time to come in for an interview this week. You guys think I should? Can it hurt anything in terms of Cingular's background check, etc.? Cingular is my #1 choice, but if I don't get the job I've applied for with them; I'd rather work for T-Mobile than nothing at all.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Nevermind the above post. Definitely taking the T-Mobile interview just in case. I went to the Cingular careers website today, and found that they re-posted the job I interviewed for yesterday (its listed with the same job ID #). Looks like if they posted/bumped it up the list again today, I probably did not get the job and they're still looking for other candidates.

Posted by: b!6@2

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatphoneguy83

Im pretty much an employee at cingular. I recieved their hiring package from DHL yesterday and Im scheduled to go for a piss test today. The background check is still in process. The manager keeps stressing, " I need you to start now if I could get you in right away; we're short staffed". Im not looking to start until early November since I already have a job. The background check usually takes a few weeks, and the complete hiring process can take up to a month+.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by b!6@2

That's awesome, congrats!! Never realized how gruelling and drawn-out the hiring process was until I became involved with it. Glad everything worked out for you!

Posted by: neils

Finally found an opening at a store in my area (one of the kiosks in the mall just moved to an actual store, and a new store is opening up across town from one of the others so I knew it was just a matter of time.)

Filled out the app online - we'll see how it goes. I just want a part-time gig for the holidays and after, it seems like a lot of people are full time.

I'll keep everyone updated

Posted by: b!6@2

Im in. Starting on Nov 1st.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by b!6@2

Im in. Starting on Nov 1st.

WOOHOO!!!! Congrats!!!

The hiring manager I interviewed with last week is supposed to make his decision on Friday. Hoping I'm one of the 3 picked! What's the hiring package you get in the mail (from DHL?)? Do you get a call from HR saying you're hired or do you just have to sit around waiting on something to maybe come in the mail?

Congrats again!!!

Posted by: b!6@2

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatphoneguy83

Thanks...

The packet will arrive during the lengthy background check. If the interview goes well, you will be given an new hire package. You will have to schedule your drug test within 48 hours of reciept date.

Again, you will only recieve the package when you get the job. This basically means that you passed the first step, which is the interview, and the rest is up to you. During the background check, you will probably recieve a call for additional info, if necessary. You will also be confirmed on your hire around that period of time.

Good Luck and update.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by b!6@2

Thanks for the info! I was worried that I'd been crossed off the list of candidates, because I wasn't handed a new hire package during the interview, or before I left the store. I didn't realize they just mailed it to you. It's been 1.5 weeks since my interview, and the hiring manager's decision was supposed to be made today. I'll call/email him if I haven't gotten anything in the mail by early next week.

It's crazy how long the background check supposedly takes. Most companies I know of just verify work history dates, criminal record, and education. Seems like Cingular really digs through your trash, so to speak.

Excited to start your new job? Where are they sending you for training?

Posted by: gfunkdave

What do they check for in the background check?

Posted by: Imari

Well, I was just goofing around and decided I'd put in an app on Cingular.com to be a Sales Rep in a local store. The internet said that I would need to give them a call within 24 hours....well...I lost the number I'd wrote down to do that with.

Within 24 hours THEY call me, have me answer some "What would you do?" questions, and then tell me to go online and do the attitude assessment survey. After I finished that, they said I would be contacted in about 5-7 days. Not more than 48 hours later they call me wanting an interview!!!

I wasn't even that serious about getting the job. I mean I've always said I would ditch my current job (phone rep) for a sales job....but I was figuring on waiting till about a year here.

And the guy doing the interviews was really cool. I told him how busy my schedule is since I have a job currently, and he said, Well, when can you come in? He was TOTALLY willing to work around my schedule.

I hope I get this. But more than that, I hope that I perform well so I don't get canned. Kinda scared about going from a stable job to a job that's performance based.

Posted by: b!6@2

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatphoneguy83

Excited to start your new job? Where are they sending you for training?

Sorta excited...ill be missing out on my weekends from now on.

For training, I wont be attending the full 2 weeks because Im part timer. Ill probably have to attend a 2 day training session in Jan. After school, tommorow, Ill be "ghosting" around the sales floor.

Posted by: b!6@2

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfunkdave

What do they check for in the background check?

your background.

which means, everything. I actually saw a complete report of my check and I was surprised to see...

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by b!6@2

your background.

which means, everything. I actually saw a complete report of my check and I was surprised to see...

See what? See what??? LOL

Posted by: b!6@2

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatphoneguy83

See what? See what??? LOL

informative information.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by b!6@2

informative information.

Alright, well I just hid the body and scrubbed down the house. I should be okay.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Well, looks like I finally got the job!!!... or at least I think. Today (2 weeks after my interview) I got an email from that hiring manager, telling me that he picked me as his choice candidate. The next step was for me to fill out the online application/background check authorization form, which I did tonight. I guess the piss test and all that will come with the hiring package that b!6@2 mentioned candidates have mailed to them.

The whole process is so confusing. I feel like I've gone through it out of order. Do most new hires fill out the online application first, and then get set up with an interview? Because I did that in the opposite order. Right now I don't know whether to be excited that I'm "hired", or to keep holding my breath because it ain't over yet.

When the hiring manager told me I was his pick and to fill out the application, was that a "You're hired"? Or does Human Resources now have to decide to hire me, and the manager picking me is just a suggestion to sway HR's decision in my favor? I'm kind of lost as to where I stand right now.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

UPDATE:

I got the official job offer call from HR today!

The HR rep will begin the background check today (it should take between 5-7 business days to be completed); I should receive the hiring package in the mail on Monday; and my tentative start date is November 14.

b!6@2, how are you liking the job so far? You started on Tuesday, right? They sending you anywhere for training? They give you a decent COU phone? Hope you haven't had to deal with any psycho customers yet.

Posted by: b!6@2

Today was my first company meeting, which is nothing unusual and it was only a group of 6 people. I cant officially sell yet becuase I dont have my sales ID for the POS, asnd It does get boring while it's slow.

Im not training the 2 weeks because Im part time, but I will have to attend some kind of 2 day training instead.

The job is decent overall. I'm just surprised they have a very slow process of getting you onboard for the sales floor for the first few weeks. Pyscho customers are the least I must worry about, since it can be fun at times dealing with them.
The official phone for us rooks is the V551, which is being replaced with the v557 (about 4 weeks depending on your manager's attentiveness , and not sure whether we will get that or the old stock of the v551.

Posted by: Deviousmind

I just posted my resume on Cingular.com and i am hoping i get a job.

Posted by: nextgen_x

I was wondering I already had my interview and they called me the next day and said that they wanted to hire me, but I had to fill out the online application and that then it would take about three weeks to hire me, and that they were going to send me an offer letter.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by b!6@2

Today was my first company meeting, which is nothing unusual and it was only a group of 6 people. I cant officially sell yet becuase I dont have my sales ID for the POS, asnd It does get boring while it's slow.

Im not training the 2 weeks because Im part time, but I will have to attend some kind of 2 day training instead.

The job is decent overall. I'm just surprised they have a very slow process of getting you onboard for the sales floor for the first few weeks. Pyscho customers are the least I must worry about, since it can be fun at times dealing with them.
The official phone for us rooks is the V551, which is being replaced with the v557 (about 4 weeks depending on your manager's attentiveness , and not sure whether we will get that or the old stock of the v551.

Cool, sounds pretty decent. That suprises me too, that it's taking them so long to get you on the sales floor. And you're going to have to wait 4 weeks just to get your phone??? Is that just your store or how it seems to work in general? Because damn dude, they're slower than I thought.

I just checked out the link to that online store where you can buy Cingular polos and dress shirts and all that. Man... I really wish Cingular had kept AT&T Wireless' shirt and tie dresscode. This "Cingular team colors" and their clothes are pretty f'ug. I'd actually rather wear a shirt and tie instead of a friggin' polo... but I'm not loving that neon orange jack-patterned tie.

Posted by: suicidal2af

Quote:

Originally Posted by b!6@2

When you submit your COU request, stick whatever model you want in the comments/requests box. I got a 6230.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

I'm confused - do we get a Cingular phone & line right off the bat when we start working, and then get our 2 additional COU lines after 90 days? Or do we not get ANYTHING for 90 days? My friend who worked for AT&T got his phone and 1 line right away, but had to wait 90 days to get the additional 2 lines. Is Cingular different?

Posted by: b!6@2

The company line will be a few weeks; most likely about 4 weeks.

Posted by: PhantomFone

I've been with the company since the Bellsouth Mobility days (recently accepted a position with VZW) and I'm not sure of the answer to this question. My friend was recently offered a position at Cingular. He is currently a Cingular Wireless subscriber. Would his current # be turned into an employee line or would he be issued a separate line. I don't know why I don't know the answer to this question. Thanks in advance!

Posted by: varsityng53

so corporate told me i don't have enough sales experience, so i gave my resume to an agent store and now i have an interview on friday. I really want the job but i don't think i will get it because of the lack of sales experience. This blows. oh well.

Posted by: PhantomFone

Quote:

Originally Posted by varsityng53

so corporate told me i don't have enough sales experience, so i gave my resume to an agent store and now i have an interview on friday. I really want the job but i don't think i will get it because of the lack of sales experience. This blows. oh well.

When I started I didn't have much sales experience either. But you need to make them feel like the investment in you is worth it. Just mention during your interview that someone doesn't neccessarily have to have extensive sales experiece. And say what you do have to have is charm, confidence and knowledge of the product you're selling. And of course you have those qualities

I've worked in HR in the past too. Trust me, it will work. Good luck!

Posted by: nextgen_x

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm finally in....I got the call today that I was cleared to work for Cingular Wireless...home of the rollover minutes..yes....

Posted by: naviwilliams

Quote:

Originally Posted by nextgen_x

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm finally in....I got the call today that I was cleared to work for Cingular Wireless...home of the rollover minutes..yes....

...congratulations! Am sure it's difficult out there trying to get a job, period...

Posted by: ports

see i dont know how this works from reading all of your posts, the application process is fairly easy..

i'm a former sales rep from the infamous WRI corp. It's been a year since we were forced into exile. Our store was the location for Sams Club's prototype wireless kiosk, so we were shutdown and the only option i had was to drive an hour away from campus and i couldnt continue because i was already doing a 30 minute drive.

anyways.. i applied for a position at a local Cinguar store and i never heard back. I worked for WRI for 7 months, but in that time i had 2 top sales records, and had went from part time to supervisor easily.

Question is, why'd I get passed up?

Posted by: ports

strange. i filled out another online application right after i made that last post.. and that was around 6am. a recruiter on the phone just woke me up at 11.30am. we went through the 3 personality questions and im taking the online assessment now.. i wonder if my application didnt get properpy submitted before because the web interface was different then.

Posted by: b!6@2

Finally got my company line, LG 7200 PTT

Posted by: PhantomFone

Quote:

Originally Posted by b!6@2

Finally got my company line, LG 7200 PTT

Yeah, those are the standard now.

Posted by: thatphoneguy83

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomFone

Yeah, those are the standard now.

Ugh, really? I'm supposed to be receiving my COU SIM in the mail within the next few days. My manager didn't make me order a phone, though. He prefers to just have the SIM sent, and then check a phone out of the store's inventory for us to use. I'm actually hoping for a Moto V557.

My manager DID order a bunch of PTT phones for my coworkers (but they were the Samsung, not LG). They're required to use that particular phone while on the sales floor, but still got to keep their previous COU handsets.

P.S. How you liking the job so far, b!6@2? We both must have started right around the same time.

Posted by: udonkey

I just got the D-357 as my COU (started last month) and really like it so far - my coworkers haven't gotten their PTT phones yet, so its kind of pointless to have it, as I have no one to PTT with.

Posted by: Alfred_Neuman

this thread is depressing only because you n00bs dont know how much crap us reps taken, how much money they stopped payin us, how suddenly people stopped goin to cingular period.

Posted by: Alfred_Neuman

and the fact is...cingular wants people like you, not me or the other reps.

Posted by: b!6@2

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatphoneguy83

Its so so...Our store is slow and majority of the people there are migrations or complaints about their phone not working well. Brings back old memories.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfred Nueman

this thread is depressing only because you n00bs dont know how much crap us reps taken

From cars to phones, plasma screens to silicon wafers, Ive done most. This is my part time gig while Im in school and Im also holding another part time position in my main job as an inside sales assistant.

I know what the reps go through; I have found alot of old high school buddies in other store locations that told me alot about the company, even before I applied there.

Posted by: b!6@2

The LG 7200 PTT phone sucks btw. I think im just gonna pop in the sim into my k750 and use that as the cou phone. No bluetooth and bad menu features.

If I would of known, I would of ordered the v557 instead.

Posted by: mike818

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfred_Neuman

and the fact is...cingular wants people like you, not me or the other reps.

Why don't they want you?

Posted by: b!6@2

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike818

Why don't they want you?

Because he knows too much about how crappy the company treats the "veteran" reps like crap and Cingular doesn't need people like him and would prefer new, young minds to screw over instead.

Posted by: nepacell

I've got to throw in my $.02. I guess this is as good a place as any!

First, more power to you if you've found a job you enjoy, be it at Cingular or Verizon or Taco Bell. If you like the people you work with and you like the company you work for, it just doesn't get any better than that.

I personally had a disappointing experience with Cingular. I applied online for a location in May. In August, the store manager called for a same-day interview. I explained that I had found another job, but was still interested in what Cingular could offer -- you know the routine. But the manager was very, very insistent that I come in "that day" or "tomorrow" because he had "too many qualified applicants" and would be awarding the job within 2 days. To me, this sounds like the DM came down on the manager for having a position open for so long.

Fast-foward to the interview three days later - everything went well. I was a little disappointed by their compensation package, and a little concerned about the manager's almost militant pro-Cingular stance (I've never had my previous wireless carriers bashed in an interview until then), but I still accepted the offer. When I told my current employer that I had received a better offer, my current employer upped my compensation, and I decided to stay. I called Cingular HR to let them know I was "respectfully rescinding my acceptance of their offer". I then called the store manager, which went something like this:

Me: "I'd like to thank you for your time and offer. However, since we last spoke, I've been given a substantial raise by my current employer, and I'll be staying with them."
Manager: "Did you not tell me you wanted to work here? Did you not say how excited you were to become part of Cingular?"
Me: "Excuse me?"
Manager: "Ok, fine. I have another applicant interviewing today for your position anyway." *click*

Woah.

It's those "little gems" that clearly told me I made the right decision in not coming on board. That's not exactly the type of environment I want to be a part of. Pushily demand an immediate interview, threaten to hire other applicants before I can even interview, then throw a tantrum when I decline.

I'm sure a great many people are happy working at Cingular, and so as not to flame, I'll say I don't believe my experience was representative of Cingular as a whole. But between their low compensation package and that particular incident, I don't believe I'll be accepting any more offers from them any time soon.

Incidentally, I just checked their careers site as I typed this. That location now has TWO sales rep positions open. Awesome.

Posted by: PhantomFone

Quote:

Originally Posted by nepacell

I've got to throw in my $.02. I guess this is as good a place as any!

First, more power to you if you've found a job you enjoy, be it at Cingular or Verizon or Taco Bell. If you like the people you work with and you like the company you work for, it just doesn't get any better than that.

I personally had a disappointing experience with Cingular. I applied online for a location in May. In August, the store manager called for a same-day interview. I explained that I had found another job, but was still interested in what Cingular could offer -- you know the routine. But the manager was very, very insistent that I come in "that day" or "tomorrow" because he had "too many qualified applicants" and would be awarding the job within 2 days. To me, this sounds like the DM came down on the manager for having a position open for so long.

Fast-foward to the interview three days later - everything went well. I was a little disappointed by their compensation package, and a little concerned about the manager's almost militant pro-Cingular stance (I've never had my previous wireless carriers bashed in an interview until then), but I still accepted the offer. When I told my current employer that I had received a better offer, my current employer upped my compensation, and I decided to stay. I called Cingular HR to let them know I was "respectfully rescinding my acceptance of their offer". I then called the store manager, which went something like this:

Me: "I'd like to thank you for your time and offer. However, since we last spoke, I've been given a substantial raise by my current employer, and I'll be staying with them."
Manager: "Did you not tell me you wanted to work here? Did you not say how excited you were to become part of Cingular?"
Me: "Excuse me?"
Manager: "Ok, fine. I have another applicant interviewing today for your position anyway." *click*

Woah.

Before making a career change I was a Human Resources Manager. Most people are unaware of how expensive and time consuming it is to invest in a single condidate. It is such a waste when people call back to decline an offer AFTER they already accepted.

I don't blame him. I would have been pissed too. You obviously wasted his time. Why didn't you just ask your emoplyer for a raise to begin with?!!

Posted by: nepacell

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomFone

You obviously wasted his time. Why didn't you just ask your emoplyer for a raise to begin with?!!

After receiving my resume, Cingular took three months to respond to me. I did not stop my job search in the hopes that Cingular might some day decide to call me. Two weeks with no response indicates that Cingular is not interested, and I accepted another position. The store manager came back, 90 days later, virtually demanding a same-day interview. When I said I needed time to consider the offer, he said I had to accept it by the close of business that day. My first communication with my current employer was to let them know I was leaving, at which point they boosted my compensation to keep me; you know, because THEY didn't want to lose that substantial investment you talked about.

A failure to properly plan and execute a hiring process on the part of one store manager does not constitute an emergency on my part. Nor does it get my sympathy for whatever losses Cingular may have incurred. Had this manager demonstrated any level of competence or planning, his HR department wouldn't have incurred the loss.

The icing on the cake was the attitude. I come from a business climate where emotional responses don't get airtime, regardless of circumstance. Maybe this manager doesn't reflect that same level of professionalism.

And, as an FYI, as a small business owner I'm well aware of the costs of bringing on a new employee. I pay my PEO $4500 per new employee, plus recurring monthly contributions. Cingular, as a massive enterprise with in-house HR, pays far less. If I had an employee decline a job offer, I too would be disappointed. But that's my fault for not properly handling the recruitment to begin with; not the applicant's.

EDIT: My previous message stated that the most important factor in your job is your happiness, be it at Cingular, T-Mobile, or Wal-Mart. I don't believe my episode represents Cingular as a whole, just one embarrassingly bad manager. So let's not turn this into a "Cingular vs The World" flamewar; that's not my intention.

Posted by: PhantomFone

Quote:

Originally Posted by nepacell

Trust me, it did not take them 90 days to get back to you. A more qualified applicant came along. More than likely your resume was reconsidered later and thats why they called you. Its easier to go back to filed resumes than it is to spend time on recruiting new ones.

And if you were sooo happy with your new employer WHY did you even accept the interview?? It just doesn't make sense. And everyone knows its not smart to accept a counter offer. You won't be there much longer.

Cingular's in-house HR does not perform criminal background checks, employment verification and drug screening. Thats all done by a third party. If you're a business owner why are working for someone else? And why were you trying to work for Cingular.

I don't care how you look at it, you wasted their time.

Posted by: nepacell

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomFone

Trust me, it did not take them 90 days to get back to you. A more qualified applicant came along.

Actually, it did. What is the relevance of *why* it took them so long?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomFone

And if you were sooo happy with your new employer WHY did you even accept the interview?? It just doesn't make sense. And everyone knows its not smart to accept a counter offer. You won't be there much longer.

I keep my options open. Who am I to say I wouldn't have liked Cingular better? In hindsight, that's the case - I wouldn't work for a company whose front-line representation is that embarrassing. As for not accepting counter-offers, to each their own; how secure is YOUR job? But you're right, I won't be there much longer - my own business is taking off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomFone

I don't care how you look at it, you wasted their time.

And a customer who walks in, looks around, asks questions, and doesn't buy; does the manager throw a temper tantrum with them as well? I can see why Q3 was so bad.

Posted by: latoyiar01

Does cingular check your credit history because I had some things on my credit report that my mom did? I want to apply for this job but if they check your credit i am not going to waste my time. Thanks

Posted by: ports

Your credit history has little to do with you getting hired in my opinion. Although if you're consistently missing payments, etc, and on top of that you don't interview well. I can see them calling you irresponsible and not hiring you. But that's after looking at your interviews, application, previous jobs. Not just your credit. Mistakes happen.