Hi all.
My experience with this company began when I started to apply for jobs, searching both through newspapers and online. After a few rejections of companies saying I didnt have enough experience I applied to an office which branches under the main Cobra Group. I sent off my CV in the evening and the next morning I got a call saying I had been shortlisted down to a few applicants and they wanted to interview me. Great I thought!
The following day was my interview. Everybody seemed really nice, friendly and really happy. The guy who I had the interview with was chatty and generally a nice person. After the interview, which went "successfully" I was told to come in the next day for the observation. Things were looking up even though I wasn't told what I'd actually be doing.
The next morning I went in and again everybody was really happy, smiling and I thought it looked like a great place to work. While I was doing my Maths assessment in the reception area, there seemed to be some sort of party going on in the other room; loads of music and cheering. I was a bit confused but then thought that I was just the team spirit. Another boy turned up and he was given an assessment sheet to do to. After we had both finished the MD called us into the office and he explained the role of the company. He spoke out loads of facts and figures but I still didn't know what the job role was.
We were introduced to the guys who would be taking us out into the field; I was with one of the "high scorers" while the other lad was with a guy who had just started recently but was a "high roller". The guy who was observing me for the day (lets call him Jon) was chatty, seemed really interested and friendly. We went to get some food, paid for buy Jon and then went to meet a few more of the team. We got on a bus, where the team had to buy there own tickets, and got dropped of in a nearby town. All the way there the Jon and his colleagues spoke highly of the MD and the job. It was here when I found out exactly what I'd be doing... door to door sales.
Me and Jon set out into the field and began knocking on doors. He said that he splits the day in 2. In the morning he establishes the time wasters and the old people. Then that leaves him with more time with the potential customers. After about 2 hours I was sick to death of walking up and down the same streets repeatedly. Jon was still all smiles, telling me of how he wanted his own office and how if i was offered the position he'd take me on. He explained the pay and told me that he comes out with 400 a week, if not more. The money sounded great but the job began to show a dark side; paying for you own travelling costs, knocking on doors all day long, working in all weather and the fact that its al commision based i.e no sales = no pay.
Me and Jon carried on knock and had no luck at all. He assured me that he had never had a day like it. Later we met up with the other colleagues and they had no luck either. I was at this point where I would have tried to run off if id known where I was. They were all still happy and smiling and had agreed to battle on. Still me and Jon had no success. It was nearing 6 o'clock and I was under the impression Jon would be calling it a day and we'd be meeting the others to go back to the office. How wrong was I. I asked Jon what time they usually leave the field and he said usually half 8 but today we would leave early at about half 7 as they had to get me back to the office for a final interview. We got on the bus to leave the field and to head back to the office. My legs were aching and I was so tired but the others seemed unaffected. They were checking over eachothers paperwork. Although Jon had no sign ups, the others got one or 2 and there was talk of somebody getting 5. At this point I had lost interest and I just wanted to get out of there.
Back at the office the MD called Jon into the office. Earlier I was told by Jon that he would be asked how he thought the day went and he told me that he thought I would be ideal for the job. Once the MD had a word with Jon, he called me in and asked how the day went etc. He said he had glowing feedback from Jon and they wanted me onboard bearing in mind there was only one position left! I thought great and was happy, but deep down I wasn't bothered which was strange as I'd been offered a job after rejections everywhere else.
I wasn't to sue what to do and so came home and got myself onto the web to search for more info on the Cobra Group, which is where I found this site and all the reports. All the cases sound similar from loud music in the mornings, to the colleagues smiling and being happy. These guys have been brainwashed. I'm glad I looked beyond just the money factor because they seemed to be work orientated.
To all thinking about working for Cobra Group... DON'T!!!
Cheers to you all for sharing your experiences, if I hadn't have read them then I'd have been in the same brainwashed situation as the guys I met on the observation day.
Anon
Anon
United Kingdom
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