Great "entry level" job in sales- don't be a "lifer".
Pros
Working in the cheer industry was a lot of fun, especially after graduating from college. Family atmosphere is apparent, and ability to be remote with a flexible schedule is appealing.
Cons
1) Pay is not competitive. For the amount of work a rep has to do, and relationships they need to build and support, the pay is meager, at best. You could make more money working in the mall. 2) Few and far between opportunities to move up within the company. 3) Politics do play a role in promotions when they happen. It's about who you know. 4) As a sales rep, you are ON CALL, what seems to be 24 hours a day. Coaches will try to reach you at 10PM in the evening, on weekends, and you will find yourself working sometimes 16 hours a day- especially during peak season. 5) NO REIMBURSEMENT for travel expenses. This means exactly what it means- you will get nothing back for all the travel you do for the job. Visiting customers for "planning sessions", fitting appointments, follow up service appointments. The list is lengthy. You will also not be reimbursed for expenses occurred traveling to the sales meetings (parking at the airport, travel to the airport, lunches/dinners on the way). 6) NO REIMBURSEMENT for "office expenses". This includes- buying a printer, printer ink, filing folders, bins/bags to keep all samples organized in, storage racks for samples. etc. No reimbursement for coaches gifts, table set up at camps/competitions, Starbucks cards for thank you's, thank you cards, etc. NOTHING. 7) You will be expected to provide child care for your children, during working hours, but the pay can not possibly afford you the ability to do so. You will wonder why you're working to pay for child care. Not to mention, as said above, the insane hours you will work- you'll never see your children if they're in daycare, and then you work mainly nights and weekends with your customers. 8) Having to pay people to help you at fittings, as coaches expect you as a rep to bring help. Coaches expectations of what a Varsity rep will do, is ridiculous. 9) STORING ALL THE SAMPLES. You give up closets, rooms, and your garage to store what basically amounts to the entire catalog in every size available.
