Any tips for employment?

I just filled out a application for Pepsi for its Philadelphia, Pa branch. Is there anything else I should do to show my interest in joining the company? Also, do anyone know how do recruits choose who to hire? Thnx in advance

I'm not sure what position you applied for but for Sales they tend to like people with beverage/food background unless you have a contact within the company. If you have relevant experience it will definitely give you a leg up on the other candidates. I think when you fill out the job application online they seem to select who gets a phone interview based on who you know within Pepsi, or if you worked for a Fortune 500 or well known company in the past. If you are lucky enough to get a phone interview, you will most likely get a face to face interview because the phone interview is really that easy. Now the face to face interview is a different story, extremely subjective. It basically depends on if the managers like you more than the other candidates. At this stage, not the best or most qualified gets selected.

I applied for the Sales rep position. I have almost two years of experience in retail(18 months at Rite Aid and 5 months at Shop Rite) I did planograms and dealt with customers. Hopefully that is enough. I also do know a person who works there. I put his name down where they asked how did I hear about the job. Now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed waiting on that phone call. Thanks for the response.

Hopefully, your reference will give you the endorsement that you need to get an interview for the Sales position. But if not I've seen many Sales Reps at Pepsi that started out as merchandisers so that may be the easiest way to get your foot in the door if you lack sales experience or a degree. I do think they prefer relevant experience and sales experience more than a degree though for the Sales position but a degree will help if you want to go into management later. However, merchandising is a tough gig and only the cream of the crop get promoted. Pepsi does like to promote from within though. Good luck!

I just went back and checked and it was to become a Merchandiser. Hopefully I get a chance. Thanks for the information.

No problem. I think if you're in your 20's, merchandising will be a good stepping stone into Sales. Even the Sales Reps merchandise a lot due to a shortage of merchandisers or merchandisers not doing their jobs properly. Once you become a merchandiser make sure you stand apart from the other merchandisers by merchandising as if you were the Sales Rep. This will not get noticed by the Sales Reps. who will make recommendations on your behalf to get promoted to a Sales Rep. As a Sales Rep. you will make at least 50K closer to 60K or more, not too shabby for someone in their 20's and 30's especially in this economy.

Yeah Im 21 right now. I see a lot of comments on here that say "STAY AWAY FROM PEPSI" but in this economy we dont have to many choices. Its hard for people with college degrees to get employment. Pepsi starts you off with a reasonable amount. Way better than minimum wage. I dont mind the hard work or long hours. If I nail this job Im not doing anything to jeopardize this opportunity. Once again thanx for the advice.

Companies like Pepsi and Coca Cola are huge companies which is why you will always see more than it's fair share of negative comments from current and mostly former employees. I've worked at smaller companies that had problems of their own but I don't see any negative posts about them due to the sheer numbers or lack of. Pepsi is not perfect by any means but I think if you're 21 and start off at Pepsi, it's the perfect age to grow within the company. I started off directly at Pepsi as a Sales Rep in my mid 30's and I felt I was too old, although there are much older Sales Reps but most of them were with the company basically forever. As a merchandiser you will have to answer to your Merch Manager, but like I said before you will have to make a good impression on the Sales Reps to get promoted quicker.

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