I actually worked for Nielsen as a Membership Representative....

I worked as a Membership Representative (MR) for almost 2 years. The "away" training is 3 weeks in Oldsmar Florida, not 8. Field Representatives (FR) train for a longer period because they are the individuals that are attaching the Nielsen equipiment to the viewing equpipment in the "choosen" Nielsen homes. It was a great experience. When I started management was great but I left because management changed and it was no longer the enviornment I loved. As an MR you work in the field, meaning most of your work is done at the Nielsen homes but there is substanstial paperwork which must be completed in a timely manner. Your office is your home. They provide a company laptop, printer, cell-phone, internet, office supplies, etc. And the also provide a company car and gas (gas card). You may use the company car as your personal car too and they will still pay for gas. Where I live the starting salary was 30,000 + 5,000 RPD (Regional Pay Difference)+ bonuses and don't forget the car and gas which makes a pretty good compensation package. Nielsen as a whole is growing, they add more markets on a pretty constant basis . MR's do not get laid off if there is no work. If you want and if you are in good standing with the company you may get a chance to SWAT (meaning they will send you to other cities to work. You will get an additional $1000 a month to SWAT.

After all is said and done, I a glad I worked for the company. It was a great experience.

How was the Spanish test or did you take that?

I did not have to take a language test. They specifially hired Spanish speaking MRs for those area heavily dominated by Spanish speaking households. All of my homes and territories were English speaking.

I have just taken a position as a MR with Nielsen. Most of the postings I have read on this site are horrible and are making me question my decision. Does anyone have any thing else to add about the MR position with Nielsen? I have talked with someone else that loves their MR job so I am very confused to read all of these negative responses about the job and the company.

Yes it is true... great compensation package, but the total lack of professionalism and also lack of actual leadership skills make it a horrible place to work. They don't assign enough work, then blame it on the MR. The management as mentioned has absolutely no experience or skill in leadership thus providing the MR's with constant negativity in belief that this is the way to supervise employees. Great pay and package with the vehicle and all, but do you really want to be humiliated as they abuse your actual skill while they sit back and insult you and make you believe you're not good at this job... Stay away from them. They are laying people off anyways.