I have learned I am not a fan of doing any task “cold” so I decided to use a “cold email warning about my cold call” approach so I would feel more comfortable. I emailed the sales director of Lebel Foods Inc. (Lachute, QC.) Without my knowing my email was forwarded to Mr. Boudreau who replied with interest. By coincidence Mr. Boudreau was away in Toronto, ON and was heading back to Quebec over the weekend and offered to meet me in person during his “pit-stop” in Kingston.
One of the important pieces of advice that Mr. Boudreau gave to me was that most graduates (or any new employees in general) do not take the time to listen. They don’t listen to their superior’s instructions, they don’t listen to the experience and advice given to them and they don’t listen to the needs of their clients.
Although the information I gathered was very useful and filled with good advice it is very awkward trying to feel comfortable making small talk or interviewing a complete stranger. Not to mention the fact that you are trying not to seem dumbfounded that a busy businessmen has the time to talk to a “broke and struggling college student” in the first place. But through this effort I have found that I am more confident and braver then I give myself credit for because I was successful in my interview.
Mr. Boudreau also explained how out of the 10-12 sales representatives that work for him there is only one working within Ontario. He told me that if I were ever interested in sales after graduating that he would like to get in touch with me (there are 59 Giant Tiger stores alone in Ontario, not to mention the other stores that Lebel Foods Inc. is partnered with.)
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| Commercial ice cream and frozen novelties. |
One of the important pieces of advice that Mr. Boudreau gave to me was that most graduates (or any new employees in general) do not take the time to listen. They don’t listen to their superior’s instructions, they don’t listen to the experience and advice given to them and they don’t listen to the needs of their clients.
Although the information I gathered was very useful and filled with good advice it is very awkward trying to feel comfortable making small talk or interviewing a complete stranger. Not to mention the fact that you are trying not to seem dumbfounded that a busy businessmen has the time to talk to a “broke and struggling college student” in the first place. But through this effort I have found that I am more confident and braver then I give myself credit for because I was successful in my interview.
Mr. Boudreau also explained how out of the 10-12 sales representatives that work for him there is only one working within Ontario. He told me that if I were ever interested in sales after graduating that he would like to get in touch with me (there are 59 Giant Tiger stores alone in Ontario, not to mention the other stores that Lebel Foods Inc. is partnered with.)
