No Industry Experience, Like Glengarry Glen Ross, Want To Pretend To Be An Expert? Join Eagle Eye!

Generally convincing people to do what they don't want to do.

I think this is pretty despicable requirement. Convincing people "to do what they don't want to" generally would involve deception. Even when 'successful' in the short term such sales ultimately are counter productive. Convincing someone that "now is the time to do what they already want to do", would be a far better approach than the "make the sale at all costs" approach.

I bet the "convince people to do what they don't want" line coupled with the movie marathoning emphasis of the job posting would lead to some over the top interviews:

Applicant: So, Jim, what I am saying is that I am ready to get out there and convert some of those SOB's and get them to sign on the line that is dotted! Gimme some leads and I'll close those corkscrewers right now! Let's attack Jim!

Interviewer: Heh, heh. You must have read the old job posting, we changed it after we got some flak from the media. Anyway, your enthusiasm is noted, but there is a process that we follow, references to be check, testing etc. Watch your email, we will be in touch with the next steps.

Applicant: Screw that! Not convinced, eh? You don't think I know this is a test? Listen, I can go out there tonight, and make $15,000. Can you? I could sell cameras off the street corner to the blind! With no audio! Mobotix! In downtown Shenzhen!

Interviewer: Somebody get me security, we got another Glen Garry nut!

Paul Rizzo is Eagle Eye material

Disclosure: I am President & CEO of Eagle Eye Networks

Hi John,

Thanks for calling this job posting to our attention.

That job description did not align with the culture at Eagle Eye Networks – we’ve replaced it here.

The author was apparently trying to use humor, but crossed the line – it was inappropriate.

Sorry.

Dean

This doesn't sound like a real job posting. I would think that it would be real damaging to the company's image if they were actually openly saying those things.

It sounds like he is taking the heat for a rogue employee acting on their own trying to recruit aggressive sales personnel. I doubt that was approved by anybody else in their right mind. Have a feeling he/she doesn't work there anymore.

Shameful confession time: sometimes I watch clips from Glengarry Glenn Ross, Boiler Room, and The Wolf of Wall Street on YouTube. It gets me fired up and people tend to buy more things from me after I watch those clips. I've never intentionally lied, though.

I always tell my employees: never try to convince the customer to do what you want them to do. Try to explain to the customer why they would want what you want if they knew what you know. More effective in the long run and avoids bad feelings when your Jedi mind tricks wear off.

Lol.

Shamefully I used to tell my employees: ABC - Always Be Coding. ;)

Perhaps the sales director came from ADT?

Disclosure: I work for Eagle Eye Networks

John Honovich is right – I am the employee who wrote that job ad.

I’m sorry I messed up.

Austen

I work for a company that could be seen as a competitor. I think all involved see that this ad was in bad taste. Let's not pile on excessively though. Just an attempt to use humour that missed the mark badly.

Regarding the movies, especially Glengarry Glen Ross. I love this movie, identify with it AND see myself as a very ethical sales person. For me the exaggerated competition; (First place:Cadillac, Second place: steak knives, Third place: "you're fired") recalls the hyper-accountability that hovers over most sales people every day. We have numbers to deliver and it is very binary whether we succeed or fail. "Extenuating circumstances" = excuses at most companies.

The period of judgement varies but you don't last long if you don't "make your number" in most companies. Everyone likes to slam sales guys as overpaid prima donna's. Many miss the hyper-accountability aspect of the role. I'm not complaining; just pointing out that there's a risk/reward aspect. And yes, as in all "professions" there are some bad apples in sales.

Back to the ad; I don't know Austen. I remind everyone that people lose their jobs over stuff like this. It's almost Christmas. Can we collectively agree that we ALL get that this was a bad move and move on.