If not Enterprise, then where?

I agree... I am about to have my third interview and am seriously considering the job. I am wondering what types of jobs all of you have moved onto after ERAC or what type of job you consider to be sooo much better? I have interviewed other places and think that ERAC will probably be better than sitting at a computer entering data all day long (which have been most of the other entry-level positions I found). Also, when you found your jobs after ERAC that are soo great and pay so much more... do you think that your previous work experience at ERAC helped you land that job? Im just curious because all this bitching seems kinda pointless and I'm wondering if your even brief employment at ERAC helped you in the long run?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I agree... I am about to have my third interview and am seriously considering the job. I am wondering what types of jobs all of you have moved onto after ERAC or what type of job you consider to be sooo much better? I have interviewed other places and think that ERAC will probably be better than sitting at a computer entering data all day long (which have been most of the other entry-level positions I found). Also, when you found your jobs after ERAC that are soo great and pay so much more... do you think that your previous work experience at ERAC helped you land that job? Im just curious because all this bitching seems kinda pointless and I'm wondering if your even brief employment at ERAC helped you in the long run?

See my post about Wells Fargo Financial. Not a great job, but better than ERAC most likely. Sales job, you sell over the phone, set up time to meet with people in person, either in your office or at their homes, go thru whole process with them when doing a refinance.....deal with local business who have financing set up through your company. When you see a store with zero percent financing for a year or any financing option usually it is handled thru some financial company.

Make more, still good resume experience, better hours- once again, see my post. Not a great job but if stacking it up against Enterprise can be a better option. Hire a lot right out of college.

[team player]

I was with ERAC for quite some time (5 years) and the experience definently helped me land a better job. I am selling surgical equip. now and love it!! I work far less hours, get paid much better (close to ARM pay), and have the added benefit of my client base actually appreciating me. Honestly if nothing else, ERAC taught me what my strengths were professionally and allowed me time to fine tune them for something down the line. Wouldn't recommend for a long term career, but definently try out for at least 2 years if you think you can hang that long. Most companies look down on staying one year or less b/c it shows that you weren't loyal. My suggestion is to stay on for at least 2 years..

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Although I've read over this website and most of it sounds believable, I'm still contemplating the idea of joining on to ERAC. This may sound unbelievable, but despite all of the crap, this job still sounds slightly better than where i work now. So my question is this: to those who have decided against working for ERAC either before or after taking the job, where do you work now? And is it better or worse than you expected and how does it TRULY compare to working for ERAC? Any input would be great...I actually have been offered the job, but i'm sitting on the decision for a few days.

I'd rather work for Starbucks than ERAC! At least at Starbucks, folks who work 20+ hours per week get full benefits....

Originally Posted by team player

I was with ERAC for quite some time (5 years) and the experience definently helped me land a better job. I am selling surgical equip. now and love it!! I work far less hours, get paid much better (close to ARM pay), and have the added benefit of my client base actually appreciating me. Honestly if nothing else, ERAC taught me what my strengths were professionally and allowed me time to fine tune them for something down the line. Wouldn't recommend for a long term career, but definently try out for at least 2 years if you think you can hang that long. Most companies look down on staying one year or less b/c it shows that you weren't loyal. My suggestion is to stay on for at least 2 years..

Thanks, ERAC has now offered me a job and I think I'm going to take it. I don't really know where I want to go with my career and I'm hoping this job will help me find my strengths and will be a good job for at least a couple years. To those saying that working at starbucks is better... go for it, maybe some day you will be promoted to be a server... that college degree is really getting you somewhere, other employers at least respect people that have worked at Enterprise for being strong and hardworking.

Ok guys this job may be an okay stepping stone before you find a job you really like, but you are forgetting the fact that you have absolutely NO TIME to find another job! Sometimes you don't even get a real lunch. How do you think you are going to get away long enough for an interview when you work everyday during the week. That is all a part of their eveil plan. Get you in and make it virtually impossible to find another job.

Hello,
I have just excepted a position at ERAC. I’m excited but at the same time I feel somewhat guarded. I have a few college friends who started as Interns with ERAC and are still there. They seem to like it well enough, which is the reason I choose to apply in the first place. I also have a friend who is former BM and loved it as well. He used it as a stepping stone for far greater things.

So, my question is this…can anyone who’s worked for ERAC in the past give me any advice on what to really expect? I know that being a MT is going to suck. Where I live the pay is pretty good, but I know that the hours are horrible and that I will be asked to do things outside of my comfort zone. I’m thinking that if I can get past the first 8-12 months I can make it. Any other things you all my suggest? Such as where comfortable shoes…which a friend told me.

Thanks!

Advice:

-It will be a job and not a career.
-It will more than likely be just a paycheck and not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
-The majority of the people that will tell you it's worth it when you question the company's logic will be managers that got into Erac when there was actual growth. They will still sell you on the success of the 80's and early 90's leaving out the fact that it's currently 2005.
-Opportunity is not nearly as readily available as they will make it sound. It stems from turnover and not actual growth as you and I would define the word.
-Promotion from Trainee to Assistant Manager does not always bring more pay, but it will bring more hours worked and more responsibility.
-Promotions are based on sales ability and your knack to get on the good side of upper management.
-If you don't do what you're told without question then you will find yourself mysteriously having a difficult time getting promoted.
-If you think of leaving at any time, the area manager will probably take you out to lunch to try and tell you that no other company can offer you the opportunity that Erac offers you. Keep in mind, their primary motivation for doing this is to attempt to secure their retention bonus and look like a retention guru to their manager to help with their own promotion.
-If an employee tells you that the job is great and there are no problems whatsover...they are lying or they are retarded.
-The person that referred you will receive $1000 plus another $500 or so once you pass some qualification tests. So, their motivation may not always be focused on your well being.
-You will clean cars (a lot or a little depending on the branch)
-You will be more than likely consistently understaffed to handle the volume of business that is expected out of your branch
-You will gain some good experience, but much of the experience is not unique to just erac...you can get it at many companies.
-If you are planning on using Erac as a stepping stone, then more than likely plan on a career in sales because that's what you get pigion holed into quite often.
-They will expect you to stay late and come in early whenever needed and without question. Your branch manager may or may not be flexible with this.
-You will come to understand what multi-tasking is all about
-You have a good chance on becoming very hateful of Sunday evening..because you know Monday is around the corner and that means one more week of the same.
-You will more than likely leave the company at some point well before you achieve your goal of advancing far
-Much of what is said on this board regarding the company is true. Who would you rather believe? Employees and ex-employees that did it and can shoot it to you straight OR the company and its cheerleaders that will tell you what's mentioned on Erac's homepage. Not everyone is bitter and lazy as many of the bought in employees would like you to believe.

Go in with a postiive attitude, but don't trap yourself into believing everything they will tell you. Go in trying to get experience and a paycheck..because if you set higher expectations based on what the company tells you, then you will be more than likely disapointed.

[FailingEnterpriseAdmin]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello,
I have just excepted a position at ERAC. I’m excited but at the same time I feel somewhat guarded. I have a few college friends who started as Interns with ERAC and are still there. They seem to like it well enough, which is the reason I choose to apply in the first place. I also have a friend who is former BM and loved it as well. He used it as a stepping stone for far greater things.

So, my question is this…can anyone who’s worked for ERAC in the past give me any advice on what to really expect? I know that being a MT is going to suck. Where I live the pay is pretty good, but I know that the hours are horrible and that I will be asked to do things outside of my comfort zone. I’m thinking that if I can get past the first 8-12 months I can make it. Any other things you all my suggest? Such as where comfortable shoes…which a friend told me.

Thanks!

Why are you taking the job if you know that "being an MT is going to suck" and "the hours are horrible"? If you're already reached this conclusion, why aren't you taking a different job? It's not the Great Depression, you know. You have choices.

Originally Posted by realitycheck

Advice:

-It will be a job and not a career.
-It will more than likely be just a paycheck and not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
-The majority of the people that will tell you it's worth it when you question the company's logic will be managers that got into Erac when there was actual growth. They will still sell you on the success of the 80's and early 90's leaving out the fact that it's currently 2005.
-Opportunity is not nearly as readily available as they will make it sound. It stems from turnover and not actual growth as you and I would define the word.
-Promotion from Trainee to Assistant Manager does not always bring more pay, but it will bring more hours worked and more responsibility.
-Promotions are based on sales ability and your knack to get on the good side of upper management.
-If you don't do what you're told without question then you will find yourself mysteriously having a difficult time getting promoted.
-If you think of leaving at any time, the area manager will probably take you out to lunch to try and tell you that no other company can offer you the opportunity that Erac offers you. Keep in mind, their primary motivation for doing this is to attempt to secure their retention bonus and look like a retention guru to their manager to help with their own promotion.
-If an employee tells you that the job is great and there are no problems whatsover...they are lying or they are retarded.
-The person that referred you will receive $1000 plus another $500 or so once you pass some qualification tests. So, their motivation may not always be focused on your well being.
-You will clean cars (a lot or a little depending on the branch)
-You will be more than likely consistently understaffed to handle the volume of business that is expected out of your branch
-You will gain some good experience, but much of the experience is not unique to just erac...you can get it at many companies.
-If you are planning on using Erac as a stepping stone, then more than likely plan on a career in sales because that's what you get pigion holed into quite often.
-They will expect you to stay late and come in early whenever needed and without question. Your branch manager may or may not be flexible with this.
-You will come to understand what multi-tasking is all about
-You have a good chance on becoming very hateful of Sunday evening..because you know Monday is around the corner and that means one more week of the same.
-You will more than likely leave the company at some point well before you achieve your goal of advancing far
-Much of what is said on this board regarding the company is true. Who would you rather believe? Employees and ex-employees that did it and can shoot it to you straight OR the company and its cheerleaders that will tell you what's mentioned on Erac's homepage. Not everyone is bitter and lazy as many of the bought in employees would like you to believe.

Go in with a postiive attitude, but don't trap yourself into believing everything they will tell you. Go in trying to get experience and a paycheck..because if you set higher expectations based on what the company tells you, then you will be more than likely disapointed.

Admin, I nominate this to be included in your "best of" listing.