Within a week of submitting my cover letter and resume, I received a call from the Human Resources Administrator. She asked a few questions to make sure the position was a good match. My first impression was a positive one. She has a background in Corporate Travel, unlike previous interview experiences with other Corporate Travel Management companies. At the end of the call, she setup a date/time for a formal telephone interview.
The formal telephone interview was about an hour long and was with the HR Administrator, and several members of management. As the HR and each manager gave a brief introduction, I was impressed by the number of years tenure they all had with the company (over 30 years for some!) That's a good sign, especially for someone looking for a company to possibly retire from. After giving a brief introduction, and summary of my professional experience, each asked the usual expected questions about previous experiences, and how I've handle certain scenarios/situations. There were also more personable questions like "What's your favorite book/movie and why" which made the entire process much more comfortable and relaxed.
The next day, the Human Resources Administrator called me to arrange an in-person interview onsite at the company headquarters in Boulder, CO. An in-person interview? This is unheard of with most companies interviewing for Virtual Agent positions. In my opinion, it was just one of many "differences" that set Cain Travel apart from other companies. As a potential future employee, it was a sign of just how valued each employee is with the company.
I promptly received my flight/hotel arrangements (departing 4 days later) to arrive in the evening, and return home the next evening. I also received a tentative interview schedule and a welcome letter packed with useful information including expected weather (which included snow in late April) and suggested places to eat near the hotel. The morning after arriving, I spent a full day meeting with both agents and managers in the main office conveniently located across the street from the hotel. After a morning packed with a tour of the office and multiple meetings and interviews, I had the opportunity to get to know several managers, as well as the Cain Travel founder/owner on a more personal level over lunch in a local (and most excellent) restaurant. After lunch, I spent a couple hours with the Corporate Trainer to assess my GDS knowledge. At the end of the day and after boarding my flight home, I reflected on one of the most positive interview experiences one could have; an experience that was both professional, yet personable.
Two days later I received an employment offer (pending professional reference and background checks) that included a wage and benefit package that I happily accepted. About a week later, I was on my way back to Boulder to start orientation/training.
Just under three weeks passed from the time I expressed interest to starting my first day on the job. The entire process, albeit somewhat intense, was worth every moment. In looking back on my personal interview experience, I realize how fortunate I am to be a part of this team. Cain Travel sets a high bar in its commitment to both clients and employees from the very beginning, as demonstrated in its investment in the interview process to find the most qualified agents to join their team.
