Pros
- Great learning environment. You will learn everything about government sales: customers, partners, products, sales techniques, contract vehicles and more. You can take this experience to numerous companies. - Fun environment and perks. Young staff of twenty-something’s that enjoy going out together. Organized happy hours are standard. Gift card contests, random prizes, and an annual weekend trip to a Caribbean location are just some of the perks. Occasional drunken office “romances” are entertaining to engage in and gossip about.
Cons
-Initial Salary. This is an entry level job. They will take you in with zero experience – they will pay you accordingly. Still, the initial salary is tough to live on. Without some outside help (parents), be prepared to really tighten the belt. The first 3-6 months you earn maybe $4-500 per week. Those broke college days are not behind you. However, after that initial period, if you show promise at sales, have a good customer territory, and are lucky enough to be on a high-grossing product team (VMware, Symantec, ect), you can expect to earn $40+K in year one. If you stay past year one, you can expect a relatively large increase and earn maybe $50+K. In my opinion, that is near the top of the pay scale for Carahsoft. Most will earn less. It’s difficult to be certain how much you will earn, which brings me to my next con. -Pay Structure. The Carahsoft pay scale is subjective and unclear – this is on purpose. Managers will never give you a straight answer on how the ‘system’ works. Please, I implore you, should you work there now or in the future – ask them how it works in detail. Watch as they squirm, perspire, and dance around the question with rehearsed nonsensical phrases like “You will get out what you put in” or “You have an opportunity to get to next level.” It’s incredibly absurd/entertaining. Because they won’t tell you how it works, I will (educated guess). At the beginning of the fiscal year, the VPs/Directors sit down and decide which sales reps on their teams will make X, Y, or Z over the course of the year. From there, they back into that predetermined salary with random monthly commission checks and $2k salary increase disbursements. It keeps you guessing, entertained at the prospect of making more, and outrageously frustrated. Again, you will make more if you have sales talent, a good patch, and high revenue. Of note: there are one-time bonus checks for reps who close seven-figure deals – those are rare. -Work/Life Balance. 8:30-5:30. No exceptions, ever. Most are expected to work later. It’s good for business, bad for mental health. This is not the industry standard outside of entry-level positions. Run children. Run. -Working Conditions. They cram in these kids like sardines. There are no cubicles – just rows and rows of long desks. Your co-workers sit 2 or less feet away from you. Hopefully they have good hygiene. It is a hectic call center atmosphere. Furthermore, the AC breaks consistently and parking is a daily nightmare. There is no HR Department – I think that should be illegal. This place is one beer away from a lawsuit on a weekly basis. -Exiting Carahsoft. The management is inexplicably bitter when an employee moves on to further their career. Some management is worse than others and some of those exiting may be going to competitors. However, business is business; don’t take it personal. It’s unrealistic to stay at Carahsoft with the prospect of making more money in a sales role elsewhere.