Brand Ambassador Open House Questions and Answers
Qualification Process / Next Step
Question: Does attending this meeting mean we are going to receive an invitation to contract?
Answer: No, the virtual open house is provided as an informational session only. All interested parties must still proceed through our qualification process. The first step in the process is to complete the screening questionnaire and background assessment via the “Immediate Openings” section of our website: www.vipdesk.com.
Question: If I submitted a resume for a retail assignment, is my application (resume) acted upon for other Brand Ambassador positions?
Answer: Our Brand Ambassador Recruiting Team will review your resume and responses for all available opportunities and determine where your skills, knowledge, and experience best match our clients’ needs. Bear in mind that some client programs have geographical restrictions that may affect your eligibility.
Question: I have already registered on your website , when should I expect to receive a response?
Answer: Thank you for your enthusiasm! Submitting your resume is the first step in the qualification process. A member of our Brand Ambassador Recruiting Team will then review your experience, skills, and availability to determine if you are a match for one of our client programs. Our goal is to provide you with a determination within 30 days.
Question: How long is the process of becoming a Brand Ambassador?
Answer: After submitting your resume, background information and providing responses to our online questionnaire, our goal is to determine if you are a suitable match for one of our client programs within 30 days. The remaining steps of the qualification process generally may take an additional 2-3 weeks before Certification begins. So, this means that from start to finish, the process may take 4-6 weeks. You can help expedite the process by responding to our requests in a timely manner. Enrollment in our certification programs is limited, so the sooner you respond, the more likely you will be able to enroll in the next available session.
Question: After submitting my information via the website, how soon will I know if I will be selected for a Brand Ambassador opportunity?
Answer: After submitting your resume, background information and providing responses to our online questionnaire, our goal is to determine if you are a suitable match for one of our client programs within 30 days. VIPdesk Connect does set high standards for our Brand Ambassadors—not everyone is suited for working as a remote agent in their own home-based business. If you are not invited to proceed with the qualification process for one of our current opportunities, there may be a future opportunity that is a better match for you. We are committed to evaluate each candidate and pursue those who have the highest potential for success.
We will update you with your status via email, so check your messages frequently. Should you change your email address, you must update your address in our system. In addition, you may need to check your Junk or Spam folder for messages from VIPdesk Connect. To prevent this from happening, add the domain VIPdesk to your safe list.
Question: How many opportunities are available?
Answer: We are now actively recruiting, qualifying and contracting with Brand Ambassadors to join our network. We currently have a need for over 500 Brand Ambassadors and are contracting with individuals in all 50 states.
Question: If I already submitted my information on your website, do I need to re-submit it following this virtual open house?
Answer: No, you do not need to resubmit your information. If any of your information changes or you need to provide additional information, please update in our system.
Certification
Question: Can you expand on the Certification course?
Answer: All Brand Ambassadors go through a certification course during which they will complete coursework and pass a series of proficiency examinations with minimum acceptable scores. This program verifies that an individual possesses a basic set of qualifications required to achieve competency for a client program. Certification for client programs varies by program.
Question: Is there a fee for certification?
Answer: VIPdesk currently offers Certification courses at no charge to the Brand Ambassador.
Question: How long are the certification courses, and what time is certification--day or evening?
Answer: Certification for client programs varies but typically lasts for 2-3 weeks. Most courses offer sessions both during the day and in the evening; however, there are some programs that only offer daytime certification sessions. In each certification program, Brand Ambassadors must successfully pass a series of proficiency assessments.
Question: Can I become certified for more than one client?
Answer: Yes, Brand Ambassadors are able to certify for multiple client programs.
Question: Is there a test involved in the process?
Answer: The qualification process for Brand Ambassadors varies based on the program specific requirements. In all cases, Brand Ambassadors must successfully pass a computer verification, credit and background checks, and certification. Each certification has a series of proficiency assessments that must be passed with a minimum acceptable score.
Are There Opportunities in My State?
Question: Are there current opportunities in my state?
Answer: We are currently qualifying and contracting with Brand Ambassadors in all 50 states except Puerto Rico. At this time we do have the greatest need in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia. However we are qualifying and contracting Brand Ambassadors on a nationwide basis.
Brand Ambassadors are not employees of VIPdesk Connect; they are Independent Contractors who enter into a business relationship with VIPdesk Connect to provide call-taking services through an Independent Contractor Agreement. This is a business opportunity not an employer-employee relationship.
Benefits enjoyed by Brand Ambassadors working as independent contractors include:
- Being your own boss, taking opportunities based on your own interests and availability.
- An independent contractor is allowed more flexibility in his/her schedule and methods of operation.
- An independent contractor may be able to deduct expenses for continued, education, tools, and equipment as ordinary and necessary business expenses on schedule C (Form 1040). (Please consult a tax professional.)
Background and Credit
Question: Do you charge a fee to conduct a background or credit check on me?
Answer: VIPdesk currently covers the cost of a background and credit check as part of its Brand Ambassador screening process. We conduct these checks as part of our vendor due diligence process.
Question: What is the credit threshold for passing the credit check?
Answer: VIPdesk looks for a high credit (FICO) score with a minimum cutoff of at least 500.
Question: I went through the process earlier, but I did not pass the credit check. What are my options?
Answer: The good news is that it is possible to improve your FICO score! The best approach is to manage your credit responsibly. There are several websites available with information on what factors may affect your credit score.
FICO scores do NOT consider:
- Age, race, sex, religion, nationality, medical history, criminal history, and marital status.
- Salary, occupation, title, employer, date employed or employment history.
- Interest rates being charged on a particular credit card or account.
- Support obligations, rental agreements or utility payments.
- Requests you make, and requests lenders make without your knowledge.
Once your score is at least 500, you are welcome to submit your information for consideration.
Question: How can I determine my own credit score?
Answer: Individuals are eligible for one free credit report per year from each of the three consumer credit reporting companies--Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. For further information, please go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com. Information of obtaining your credit score is available at this website.
Question: How long does it take to receive results from the credit check?
Answer: Results from your credit check are usually received within one week. Should you not meet the minimum requirement, we will advise you. You have the right to see a copy of your credit report as well as to dispute the accuracy of it with the credit Bureaus.
Hours and Scheduling
Question: What is the maximum number of hours that a person can work in a week?
Answer: As an independent contractor, Brand Ambassadors have control over their schedule. There is however a minimum availability commitment.
Question: Do you have opportunities for evening/late hours?
Answer: Yes, there are opportunities for evening hours.
Question: What is the least amount of hours I am able to sign up for on a daily basis?
Answer: During the qualification process Brand Ambassadors choose what hours they would like to commit. Upon being matched with one of the client programs, Brand Ambassadors select opportunities within the operating hours based on their availability typically ranging from 1-4 hours per day.
General Brand Ambassador Questions
Question: Are there outbound/telemarketing opportunities?
Answer: Brand Ambassadors are not required to do telemarketing/cold calling. VIPdesk is focused with providing inbound call support. Brand Ambassadors respond to product inquiries and facilitate order processing and returns. Outbound calls are performed to provide order/inquiry follow-up in direct response to a customer request.
Question: Do you currently have opportunities for bilingual speakers? Answer: Yes, we currently have some opportunities for Brand Ambassadors with bilingual skills (specifically Spanish/English), however not all opportunities require bilingual skills. some of our current opportunities do have bilingual
Question: Do you handle adult product lines? Would we be required to handle those types of clients?
Answer: No, VIPdesk does not provide services to “adult products.” VIPdesk is focused on industry-leading premium brands. We offer opportunities to work with the most prestigious, exciting brand leaders in the retail, travel, financial services, automotive and real estate industries.
Question: Is there a non-compete clause. In other words, would we be working exclusively for VIPdesk?
Answer: As an independent contractor, Brand Ambassadors are free to provide business services to other organizations.
Question: What types of projects are now available?
Answer: We offer a wide variety of opportunities for Brand Ambassadors with a range of operating hours. Some programs emphasize delivering superior customer service skills that build customer satisfaction while others focus on strong sales skills. Our growing client base offers opportunities for individuals with diverse skill sets. The one constant for all our programs is a commitment to excellence.
Question: Would it be reasonable for a Brand Ambassador to advance from that position within the company?
Answer: Brand Ambassadors are independent contractors and not employees of VIPdesk. As an independent contractor, you are in control of your potential and ultimate success.
Question: Are there certain performance metrics associated with opportunities?
Answer: Yes, all performance metrics expectations are outlined in the Agreement executed by the Brand Ambassador and VIPdesk. Programs with a strong sales component may have specific sales metrics for cross-sell/up-sell requirements.
Home Office Requirements
Question: Regarding fax machine requirement: Does it have to be a stand-alone machine, or can it be a computer fax program working in conjunction with a scanner?
Answer: It does not matter what specific type of fax you have in your home office as long as you are able to fax multi-page documents.
Question: If I have identical required office setups at my home and vacation home, can I work from either one?
Answer: Yes, you would be able to provide services in both places as long as you meet all home office requirements and both computers are certified.
Question: As for firewall requirements, I have a computer that runs specifically as a Firewall Operating system. Is this acceptable, or do I need a firewall installed on the computer that I'm using for work purposes?
Answer: Yes, you would still need to have a firewall installed on the computer that would be used for Brand Ambassador activity.
Question: How many phone lines do we need?
Answer: Brand Ambassadors need to have an analog phone line they can dedicate to their Brand Ambassador call-taking business.
Windows Vista
Question: When do you anticipate being able to support Windows Vista?
Answer: At this time we do not currently support Windows Vista. We anticipate adding Vista to our approved operating systems in Q2-Q3 2008. We appreciate your understanding of this requirement.
Matching Candidates to Client Programs
Question: How do you match Brand Ambassadors and particular Opportunities?
Answer: Our goal is to provide opportunities to Brand Ambassadors that are in line with their interests and backgrounds. Some additional factors that are considered include: availability, program operating hours, project duration, foreign language skills, and geographic location. Some of our opportunities may have geographic restrictions.
"I love the flexibility of working from home which allows me to be there for my children. I could not ask for a better arrangement." - Milissa Rhodes, Fredericksburg, VA
"Working from home enables me to be in the know and be in my own space and that is worth a million bucks!!!" - Lauren Levine, Hollywood, FL
Brand Ambassador Sample Call
Click the Play button below to hear a sample customer service phone call!
NOTE: If you can’t play the sample call above and you are using Windows, please visit the Microsoft Windows Update website, click the "Custom" button, then click the "Software, Optional" link. Find and install Windows Media Player 9 and DirectX 9c (or later versions).
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