Applying and Interviewing

I think it's time we talk about the do's and don'ts of applying for a job and interviewing...mostly don'ts.

I do all of the hiring at my store and so I have to see and speak to a lot of people who I would never in a million years even interview because of how they came into the store. I also have to sit through a lot of interviews with people who sent in good resumes but fuck it up as soon as they're in front of me. Getting a retail job shouldn't be that hard. You have been shopping yourself for years so you know what good service and bad service looks like, just show me you know the difference.

Here are bad things people do when they come into the store:

1. They don't ask for a manager and give their resume to the first person they see. Wrong! You need to ask for me, if you don't I'm going to throw your resume out because you show lack of judgement.

2. Never let your mom ask if we are hiring and stand with you while you apply. I'll be polite to you to your face 'cause your mom will hurt me if I'm not but if your mother is this involved already, she's going to be a pain in my ass when you're hired 'cause you obviously aren't mature enough to go through life without her.

3. Don't apply with a friend. If you are both job hunting, fine, but take turns coming into the store to apply. Getting a job isn't a team sport. It's awkward and scary, that's the point. You need to prove you're not a chicken shit, otherwise how am I supposed to trust you in front of any of the people I've talked about in other blogs!

4. Dress up. I know you're applying to many places so you don't have to be in our clothes but you need to be presentable. Comb your hair, wear a top that doesn't have advertising, stains, holes, or your tits hanging out (this goes for girls and guys) and make sure your bottoms aren't too short. Unless you're also dropping off resumes with the local John there are no stores that want you to apply looking like a prostitute, even the stores that sell prostitute clothes.

5. When you speak to me introduce yourself and ask if we are currently hiring. When I say 'yes' ask if you can leave a resume and fill out any application forms that we may have. While you are giving me your resume give me a quick bio: "I'm currently in school looking for a part time job. I am available three days a week and weekends. I have previously worked at _____ and _____ where I learned a lot about customer service." Bam! That easy! If anyone ever came up to me and said that I would be blown away and may offer them a job on the spot. But that never happens. If you don't have previous experience that's fine, tell me, but also tell me that you are a fast learner, love working with people and are excited to provide excellent customer service. Bam! That easy!

Okay so you get an interview. What do you do? Well first of all, do some research. Google the company you are being interviewed for and know their history. If you can bring up something specific about the company during your interview it shows me that you prepped. Also, if you are applying to work in clothing retail know what the current fashion trends are. Google one of the fashion blogs or pick up a magazine. Any good fashion retailer should be asking you about this. And thirdly, and this should sound obvious but it's not, visit the store. Go in the day before and spend some time walking around looking at the product and the staff. Get a feel for how the staff are behaving, how many of them there are, and how the store looks. I ask people all the time what their impressions are of our store, you need to have an answer.

So you've done this and now you need to get dressed for the interview. There are two options:

1. Wear clothes that reflect the current fashion trends, specifically wear the clothes from the store you are applying (but don't forget to keep hem lines a little bit longer, it's always good to have some sort of sleeve, and keep "the girls" covered up). This only works for clothing retail. Do not dress trendy for any other type of interview.

2. The safe answer is to go business casual. Black pants, a button up shirt or nice top with a cardigan or blazer. You can never go wrong with this.

What to avoid wearing (all of which I have seen):

1. Logos for other companies across your chest.
2. Casual shorts and a tank top. (you look like you're on the way to the beach and this interview is just a pit stop.)
3. Really short skirts.
4. Really low tops, especially when your foundations bra is sticking out.
5. Jacket. Take your coat off!

And one more thing before the interview starts, SHOW UP ON TIME! You should arrive 5 minutes early. Not sooner, not later. If you arrive late I may interview you but I will not hire you. If you can't be on time for the interview then you will be late once you're hired. Also if you arrive more than 5 minutes early, don't come by until it is time. I don't like feeling pressured and you're in my way.

Finally, the interview!

You will be asked to say something about yourself. There are things you should and shouldn't mention at this time:

SHOULD mention and previous experience you have had.
SHOULDN'T  mention your political leanings.
SHOULD mention if you are in school, or have completed school and what you took.
SHOULDN'T mention your age.
SHOULD mention how you have been a long time shopper and enjoy the brand.
SHOULDN'T mention you only shop in the store when we have good sales.
SHOULDN'T mention that you work well with other races, oh my god this is awkward and happens way too often!

Most of the other questions will be about service. The key is to keep your answers short and as much as possible use actual examples. You should have examples ready of when you have received good and bad service and why and when you have given good service or dealt with a difficult customer. If you haven't worked in retail you can use school or sports teams and anything else as examples.

When I ask people to describe a time that they received excellent customer service and why, I always get the same answer:

"I like it when you walk into a store and are greeted (this is the right thing to say) and then they leave me alone to look around (no!) I don't like people trying to be pushy or tell me what to buy (no! no!)"

I don't care that you don't want service, your job in retail is to provide service. What you should say is:

"I like it when you walk into a store and someone says hello to you and lets you know of any sales or promotions going on. I also really like it when I'm trying clothes on and there is someone there to help me get another size or make suggestions of something else that will work."

See, I side stepped the part you don't like and gave an example of where I do like service. Keep it positive. You don't know what the company's selling expectations are so don't dig yourself into a hole.

I hire people all the time who have no retail experience and say no to people who do. The most successful candidates are those who show enthusiasm for the job and the brand, keep their answers concise and relevant, and show a level of maturity and comfort in front of a group (we do group interviews).

Last thing, you will be asked if you have any questions. You should always have a question to ask and it should never be "how much do I get paid" or "what is the discount".

Acceptable questions would be:

"When are you looking to start training?"
"Are there opportunities to grow in the company?"
"What is your favourite part of working for this company?"

You need to show that you are interested in more than just the pay cheque. Once you have asked your question you should offer them another copy of your resume and references if they would like but don't force it on them! If I need it I'll take it. When they end the interview thank them, shake their hand, and get the fuck out! If this means carrying your coat and bag then do it. There's nothing worse than waiting five minutes for someone to collect themselves. I don't care if it's snowing out, you put your coat on out there. I know this sounds harsh but at this point you need to lower yourself to me to show how committed you are. Hopeful once hired the company will let you put your coat on inside!?

I shouldn't even have to explain this but it blows my mind how often people screw up the hiring process. There are way more people looking for jobs right now then there are positions so you need to take the time to be presentable and professional. Even still I would rather not fill a vacancy then hire some loser just so I have a body on the floor. I will bring in ten people and hire one if I think they're the only one worth investing time into, it's all on the other nine people that they didn't get hired. I gave them the chance, they just weren't prepared.

Good luck!