Pros
When I was interviewing I wish I had what I am about to write for you. I’m 18 months in and can still remember my concerns coming into this job.
1. What the hell do these guys do?
I read the website. I re-read it and still couldn’t quite work it out and essentially headed into the interview blind, so here is the answer: We design and manufacture products for a number of industries (beauty and travel are big ones). Ever gone on a cruise and received your tickets in a ticket wallet? We probably made that. Ever gone to Nordstrom and got a free bag for buying $100 of L’Oreal makeup? We probably made that. Helpful? It’s more than I knew.
2. Culture – give me the ‘no B.S.’ non corporate speak low down.
You got it. In short it’s fantastic. No micromanaging nonsense. No territorial p!ssings amongst the sales team. You’ll find a group with an understanding of the common goal which is to grow the business, do some good and have lots of fun doing it. It is an extremely rare culture and one that we’ve laid down UNESCO heritage site levels of restrictions upon entry to protect. We’re a group of adults that enjoy each others company immensely and laugh a lot. Which is important as sometime things get stressful.
3. Stress? Work/Life Balance what am I looking at here?
We manufacture things. Often those things are manufactured thousands and thousands of miles away. The process has 156 steps. Things go wrong all the time. You’re an account director, it’s your baby to protect and get across the finish line. You’re going to face what seem to be insurmountable problems that you and your team deal with. How you handle the problems is what separates the girls from the ladies. You’ve got the team, you’ve got the resources to solve it but do you have the steely resolve to call the client and tell them the bad news while juggling eight different contingency plans? I’ll tell you this when it’s over, and you’ve handled yourself with grace under pressure, you’ll have learned about yourself. Dare I say it but... it’s fun. As for the Work/Life Balance - incredible. You don’t get points here for long hours, this isn’t investment banking (we’re too happy to do that), you get props for results.
4. Travel?
You’ll travel depending upon where you grow your clients and also where the clients in your industry are based. I love travelling and the vast majority of my clients are spread across the US (perhaps a few coming up in the UK too). I flew 160k miles last year. I’ve shiny status so my seat is slightly less awful on the plane, which is nice. Since I’ve been here I ‘ve bounced around all the big US cities, London, Madrid, Berlin.. etc. It’s fun, really, really fun. Plus we have offices in Australia and factories in China so chances are you’ll be out there at some point too. Join Macher, see the world.
5. Will I be starting from scratch?
Nope. Boy will you be trained. I knew NOTHING coming in. Now every time I see an item I feel the material (which I can name) and mumble about zip sizes and loose threads. Once you’re in our super-cool super exclusive club of account directors we’re going to bring you on meetings, give you lots of advice, mentor you and throw you a bunch of warm accounts to get you started. It’s what we got and we’re going to share the love (remember no territorial p!ssing).
6. What do I wear to the Interview?
I’m a dude. I wore a suit and was overdressed. Jacket, no tie. You’ll be fine. Also try and squeeze the word ‘chameleon into the interview at some stage. If I’m there we can exchange a knowing smile.
Cons
1. The Interview
It's a long process for the reasons mentioned in 'The Pros' section. We all did it. You can too (maybe).
2. Travel
I love it. Some don't. Depending upon your industry/life situation this may be an issue.
That's pretty much it. Sounds ridiculous, I know. I'm racking my brain here to try and create some balance with my utterly verbose pros section. Er, parking can be tough around Abbot Kinney sometimes?
