Carlo Puyod

With the Sales Operations Team. I spent my second half of internship hours with them. I could say that I was one fortunate kid to study in an international college. I was even more grateful when I was given a chance to undergo an internship program under a multinational company. Let me tell you a short story of how I, who once hated Sales before, plan to re-create my career path to be a Sales Executive someday.

With the Sales Operations Team. I spent my second half of internship hours with them.

It all started when I knew that Southville would require us a 300-hour on-the-job training as partial fulfillment for graduation. So as mid-3rd semester started, I sent out CVs to companies that Southville has partnerships with like Chevron, Solaire, Pepsi Co., to name a few. Included in the list was Intercontinental Hotels Group. I also sent out to companies I’d dream to work for someday: Monde Nissin Corporation and Metrobank.

I waited for days, until some of these companies reached out through my e-mail asking if I would be available for an interview on their scheduled dates. I was not hesitant to agree to participate on an interview with these businesses as I wanted to make sure I’d have good choices soon. 

I had a couple of interviews before I received a text message from IHG asking me if I am available for an interview for the internship position. I agreed and went there at a hot Wednesday afternoon. I was in my SFU uniform when I was first interviewed by the Sales Operations manager, Ms. Michelle Lopez.

I could say my interview with Ms. Mitch was different from my earlier ones. One thing I can remember about that time was when I blanked out of words to say while I was asked if I know something about their brands. It was funny and at the same time embarrassing as I really reviewed and memorized information about IHG and I ended up staring at her like I came their unprepared. I apologized at her and saying I knew what their brands are, it’s just that I was totally blanked out probably because I am nervous, I don’t know what to say anymore! That moment was embarrassing and I will always remember that as part of my career development. 

So we go on with the interview, she asked me a couple of questions about my strengths, my possible contributions if I was accepted, and my key opportunities for development. The interview ended with thank you’s and a handshake. My second interview was held two days after my interview with Ms. Mitch. It was with Ms. Donna Dualan, IMC Europe’s Team manager. She entered the room with a smile on her face, a handshake before we started on with the interview. This time, I told myself that this would be my last chance to fix things up during my first meeting with Ms. Mitch. I was calm while having a discussion with her. The interview was a little bit informal I guess that’s why I was very relaxed and answered her questions well.

I was hopeless that I’d be receiving a call from the company after that moment during my first interview at IHG. Until one night, I can remember that while I was watching TV I received a phone call from the recruitment department of IHG offering me a position for internship. I was not hesitant and immediately accepted the role. I am very grateful and happy that time.

So I waited until the morning of April 15, our first day at work, and headed off to IHG. I meet up with my friend Jewel, who also accepted an internship offer from the company, at the HR Department until we met Eva, one of the Sales Coordinators of the Worldwide Sales Centre, the department where we’ll be working for 2.5 months. Our first day was great! We met different people from different teams whom we’ll be working with for a couple of weeks. Jewel was assigned to Asia, Middle East, and Africa Team, while I was assigned to work with Sales Operations and the Europe Team.

I was exposed to various tasks and projects during my stay. With Europe Team, I was introduced to Customer Relations and Sales Opportunities Handling activities. I was trained to receive phone calls from clients, receiving sales leads from account managers, and learning how to build relationship with customers. With Sales Operations, I was more exposed to office support and administration. I learned things about sales reporting, sales systems, and ad hoc tasks. 

During IMC Europe Team’s Nayon ng Kabataan Program

One good thing about this internship experience with IHG is that we are not bound to just office work, we were also engaged to participate to some of their workshops and corporate social responsibility activities. One example was when I was invited to participate in their Philippine Red Cross trainings for Adult CPR and First Aid. I was also invited to participate on their Summer Sports Festival. But the activity that I will never forget was their CSR at Nayon ng Kabataan, Mandaluyong. We went there, played with the kids, gave them food, and spent some time talking with them. IHG is very active with programs that would be helpful for the society.

My personal space at the office during my shift from 10 am to 7 pm. 

The following weeks passed by. I got to know and keep up with their ways of working, like Europe Team works mid-shift, that they use these different sales systems, that they use Google Apps for Business a lot, and that they value their workforce big time. This is one this I immediately noticed about IHG. They value their people. Whether how much the volume of one’s work is, or what specifically is one’s position in the organization, they value their people equally.

With Ms. Donna Dualan, my supervisor under IMC Europe Team

One thing that struck my attention was their corporate values and their loving and loyalty to their brands which makes them the ideal organization that I’d like to work for someday. The culture inside IHG was just amazing. The work environment was very youthful, welcoming, and very supportive.

With IHG Meetings Centre Europe Regional Sales Team. I spent my first half of internship hours with them.