Pros
Room for advancement (encouraged)
Close-knit, fun group
Reasonable pay
Excellent benefits
Awesome boss
Great location
Something new everyday
I THOROUGHLY enjoyed working for NESCO as a recent International Business (UNL) graduate in 2008-2009. The hiring process was fairly painless, but very comprehensive. I had an interview with the Branch Manager; then a follow up interview with the Branch Manager and her manager. I was hired and began within a few weeks (I was coming from another job; may have been able to start earlier).
Upon hiring there was extensive HR paperwork (no more or less than any other job) and very comprehensive training. After in-house training, the company sent me to a sister location to train with another Business Development Specialist. This was invaluable. I got to see exactly how he interacted with potential clients, structured his day, and achieved success. I also went on calls with my Branch Manager, which was not only eye-opening. Initially, I said very little so that I could concentrate on her interaction with Clients. Once we got back to the car or office, I would pepper her with questions to further increase my understanding. After a few days or so, the Branch Manager encouraged me to be more active in our meetings. No lie, I was terrified at first! After a few, it became much more comfortable and I began to take the lead.
After training (which was at least 3-4 weeks, including my week at the sister branch and training with my co-workers who had a different function. This helped me to understand the big picture), I began to make calls on my own. The Branch Manager gave me plenty of guidance (best areas to peruse, etc) and our internal client database allowed me to scope out past interactions before I visited or called a potential client.
You may have noticed the dates that I worked; unfortunately this was in the midst of an increasingly souring economy. Although, I was making many calls and had many potential leads I was not making many sales. This was incredibly frustrating to me, but I was encouraged by the Branch Manager's feedback. In fact, within 4 or so months of working there, my Branch Manager and her boss sat me down to inform me that they were considering me for an out-of-state promotion! I was absolutely floored! They began working with me more on specifics for the new position.
Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. I was laid off in 2009 but continue to keep in touch with my NESCO family (I should have mentioned also how great my coworkers were; more on that below).
Now I am a small business owner in Honolulu and can't thank NESCO enough for many of the skills I developed during my time there. I am INCREDIBLY comfortable asking for the sale (closing) and initiating contact with new clients. Every time I am back in Nebraska (once or twice a year), I contact my former Branch Manager and meet her and my former co-workers for lunch or dinner. I literally see them more than I see some of my high school/college friends, hahaha.
NESCO is a great place to work, but you must work. You are given a lot of instruction and training in the beginning, but after that you are given A LOT of space to establish relationships and nurture existing ones. I couldn't disagree more with the other Business Development Specialist's review. My guess is that s/he wasn't there that long, barely got through training, and probably didn't do his/her job well (i.e.: staying on task when you're out of the office). I NEVER felt micromanaged and I worked at a job previous to this for YEARS with a boss who seriously micromanaged me. I think the other reviewer needs to get a reality check.
My coworkers: They were fantastic! I literally have never stayed in touch with former co-workers (who I didn't become close friends with) for more than a year after leaving a job. I am much younger than my former co-workers, but never was made to feel like I didn't belong. Just the opposite: they cheered for me when I brought back exiting news, encouraged me when I ran into obstacles, and seemed interested in my life outside of work. As mentioned previously, I see them EVERY TIME I am back in Omaha.
If you are considering working here, I would highly recommend it! Good Luck!
Cons
This is not a job for someone who is uncomfortable in a sales position. Sure, there's some nervousness at first no matter your comfort level, but if you are not cut out for sales, this job is not for you.
Along those same lines, there is a lot of rejection. You must be able to use what you can (any constructive criticism) and forget the rest.
