Dressing for a job interview...BUT....

[Luvchefmic]

So I sit here everyday applying for jobs...this IS my current job with the economy the way it is. I certainly know how to dress for the type of job interviews I would normally go on. (Office work) I just applied with a major supermarket here for a "back of the house" position. Production line type of thing. No experience necessary. I got an email from them and I meet the minimum qualifications...I have a pulse, I speak English, I'm a citizen, I can lift 30 lbs, I am available all days all shifts I can pass a drug & background check... (yes standard form letter email but still not a rejection).

My thoughts are I am going to have to do some fancy talking to convince them that I really want the position and its not just because I can't find anything. (I haven't worked in 10 months & honestly I don't miss office work..if given the opportunity I will take anything but I hope to get this)

I don't want them just looking at the resume and ASSUMING that if something were to open up in my usual line of work that I would leave for it. I want them to hire me and not just rule me out based on that assumption and label me "over qualified". First impressions face to face though I think my usual "business suit" apparel would tell them just that. For the position (which would probably be a jeans & t-shirt or company shirt) what would you suggest I wear for an interview ? I own 2 suits one with slacks, one with a skirt...go with just slacks & blouse or skirt & blouse or full on suit? If so which one ?

Its a great co here in FL with great benefits and pay. Its also an overnight shift which I LOVE......any advice?

Thanks, Ruthie

PS Any people here that hire for the supermarket starting with the letter P
hire me what the heck I'll network anywhere I can

 

[anniemae]

I don't know, that's a tough one. I think they may assume you are over-qualified. They are probably flooded with resumes from folks who are looking for "anything" so it will be hard to convince them you will not bail on them once something better comes along. Maybe take the angle that you want to grow with the company and you are more than willing to start at the bottom to learn the entire company and how it works. (I would think there are office positions and who knows, a great opportunity could present itself in time and they may hire within).

As for dress, I would probably go with slacks and a blouse or nice top.

Good luck!!!!

 

[Imzadi]

It's back of house, supermarket. It's a blue collar position, not white collar/office. Wear jeans or clean khakis and blouse. Roll the sleeves up to above or below the elbow. Or wear a pressed t-shirt. Blue collar/ back of the house means manual labor: you have to be willing to get dirty. You have to be willing to pick up the dusty boxes and move them. You have to wear practical clothes. No skirt, no heels. This isn't a glamourous position. Wear sensible shoes, as you may have to go up and down a step ladder and do a lot of walking.

For this position, with so many overly-qualified people responding, they will probably hire someone they think they can get along with, who will actually show up for third shift and work without a lot of supervision. Bottom line: if they don't think you will be willing to get dirty or physical, they won't hire you. This is one job you don't want to over-dress.

Also, if it's production line, they don't want people interested in "growing." To them, that means you will get bored with repetitive, non-thinking work. They want someone comfortable in doing drone work, doing the same thing over an over, not giving them a hard time, not wanting to improve the company or give them flack. Understand the mindset of what's required. Production line is very different from corporate, move up the ladder type work.

 

[Luvchefmic]

It's back of house, supermarket. It's a blue collar position, not white collar/office. Wear jeans or clean khakis and blouse. Roll the sleeves up to above or below the elbow. Or wear a pressed t-shirt. Blue collar/ back of the house means manual labor: you have to be willing to get dirty. You have to be willing to pick up the dusty boxes and move them. You have to wear practical clothes. No skirt, no heels. This isn't a glamourous position. Wear sensible shoes, as you may have to go up and down a step ladder and do a lot of walking.

For this position, with so many overly-qualified people responding, they will probably hire someone they think they can get along with, who will actually show up for third shift and work without a lot of supervision. Bottom line: if they don't think you will be willing to get dirty or physical, they won't hire you. This is one job you don't want to over-dress.

Also, if it's production line, they don't want people interested in "growing." To them, that means you will get bored with repetitive, non-thinking work. They want someone comfortable in doing drone work, doing the same thing over an over, not giving them a hard time, not wanting to improve the company or give them flack. Understand the mindset of what's required. Production line is very different from corporate, move up the ladder type work.

Okay I am thinking you are right because I DO want this position, I don't want even the slightest chance of working in the office. I understand the getting dirty and for this job extreme temp fluctuations. I have been a blue collar worker the majority of my life, emt on an ambulance, worked a factory or 2 in my life, cleaned kennels etc etc etc. I understand what I am wanting to get into and want the best way to show them that too. As far back on a resume' or job application should go though is all office work. So I now have to sell myself as the blue collar worker that I really am

I appreciate the advice & will hopefully post a new I Got A Job thread

 

[Imzadi]

Okay I am thinking you are right because I DO want this position, I don't want even the slightest chance of working in the office. I understand the getting dirty and for this job extreme temp fluctuations. I have been a blue collar worker the majority of my life, emt on an ambulance, worked a factory or 2 in my life, cleaned kennels etc etc etc. I understand what I am wanting to get into and want the best way to show them that too. As far back on a resume' or job application should go though is all office work. So I now have to sell myself as the blue collar worker that I really am

I appreciate the advice & will hopefully post a new I Got A Job thread

If you said all that stuff you just said, that I bolded, with enthusiasm and conviction, I'd hire you!!!

Really point out why you want third shift. That would be a key point for them. Some people think they want third shift, then a few weeks on the job, realise they don't want that after all. You don't have to go into detail, but say that you have stuff going on in your life, i.e. needing to be there for kids, elderly parent, whatever, that you need to have your days free, even if it's sleeping during the day, and that's why you haven't gone back to an office job. (Not that you haven't been able to get work.)

You've been hoping & looking for the right fit of a third shift job, that you can do accurately & well, put in a full day of work and then be able to have your days free to do what you need to during the day. But, don't make home life sound like a drama.

Remember, production line jobs are about stability and predictability. They want someone who wants a job where they know what to expect when they come in, will do the job efficiently, have enough of a brain to problem solve when need be, but isn't the restless type because there's not enough thinking. There is a certain type that fits these jobs, as it's not about a lot of skills and qualifications.

They also know that no one aspires to be a production line worker. So don't start saying like how you want to be there for two years. They will know that's BS. Some jobs have high turnover, and they may expect to rehire after Christmas but not want to have to rehire and train before the busy Thanksgiving/holiday season. They hope to find someone who will stay long term, (and many do because it's nice predictable drone work,) but they also know they can refill the spot quickly, when the need arises.

So when you indicate that you want to stay long term, it's because your life situation is such that you want a nice steady, long term, predictable job third shift, so you can go, do a great job while at work and still be able to do your life during the day. That's why you are making the change in types of jobs. And you won't be running back to a day/office job at first opportunity. That kind of fit may be what wins you over, versus someone else whose done a lot of this type of work before. That person may have switched jobs 3 times in the last couple years, whereas, it sounds like you will stay.

Also, swing by one of the supermarkets at night, if it's open 24 hrs. See what people are wearing, how they are stocking the shelves etc. You may see something you can actually mention during the interview.

Good luck! Crossing fingers for you.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Thanks so much you made me feel great! If only you could hire me ! I have worked most of my life (even the office jobs) on the 3rd shift I am a night owl, you're correct when you point out that many ppl think they'll like it but I am up most of the night not even working. See to me the majority of the world has it wrong its normal to sleep during the day and work during the night.


No fear of telling them a drama as far as needs to be home during the day I just totally function better at night.

You helped a LOT more than I can say so I'll keep you advised where this goes.