Surface Sales Specialist Review

I am in the Enterprise Partner Group, as a Surface Sales Specialist. So predominantly I work with large (sometimes global) accounts. I spend a lot of time engaging with customers and partners, either aiding/ owning the selling process. I also work with our Surface Hub (one of our devices) technical specialist to drive lead generation. I am currently running 5 industry focused events for this device to be showcased.

Absolutely. I have developed my customer facing, sales, presenting skills (the list is pretty endless) I've taken part in training both externally and internally, both through my apprenticeship training provider and through the company directly. I have become more confident and my ability to hold and direct a sales conversation has improved.

I love my job role completely but the programme itself requires attention. City and Guilds (QA), who are the third party hosting the training is quite shocking. There are many miscommunications between the candidates and themselves, lack of attention and a lot of time wasting during training (playing games during training - we all went to school, we know how training should work and playing games/ doing crosswords is not utilising time at all). The training itself lacks imagination or innovation i.e: being bored to death by a powerpoint stuffed full of text. Giving this a poor rating, not because of Microsofts apprenticeship but because of the training provider they use.

Extremely, they look after you a lot. Many people in my team and my mananger give me a great deal of responsibilty but are also always there when you need support

QA - badly, not at all organised. Miscommunication as to which unit we are doing during courses, not replying to emails (delayed responses). Spending the review times doing coursework (this should be done outside, again wasting time) Also there is a lack of communication between microsoft and QA. Before I was due to start QA called me and said they needed scanned copies of my GCSE/ A Level certificates and CV, they said they needed them within the next 2 days otherwise I would not be able to start my apprenticeship - but these had already been sent to microsoft? My Team internally is fantasticm I am alaways busy and on the go which I love

Not a great deal, when I said there was a lot of content to the pre course work books they said to 'not worry and just read it' not useful advise at all. They mention lots of email addresses to contact if anything goes wrong.

A lot - always on hand to help and always someone I can reach out to

Sufficiently, its suited for the job role.

Yes always events going on, training oppurtunities, most weeks. I showjump horses outside of work which keeps me very busy

Yes

Support and oppurnitnies are incredible and endless, loads of support. Always so much going on to get invovled with. Wouldn't recommend training provider at all.

Make sure you do lots of research before interviews, learn something about the company that not everyone will know. Look at magazines/blogs/ websites regarding launches.. keep up to date with movements and activities prior to the interview process. Shows you have a genuine interest and looks good!