So you're looking for a job...

[ducklite]

Thanks. Although I live in Southwestern Virginia, I would still love the name of that staffing agency. Unfortunately, I do live in an area where it is difficult to find a position. We are facing major manufacturing and textile layoffs. Relocation is a last option for me as well. Thanks again.

Would you be interested in retail with a fast track to retail management?

Anne

 

[ead79]

Here is a resume portfolio:

This one is expensive (it’s Coach brand), but they do sell inexpensive ones at Staples and Office Depot.

 

[ead79]

Ann, it’s funny that you mentioned wearing a watch to the interview. In school they specifically told us not to wear a watch so we wouldn’t look at it accidentally during the interview (which would seem like you were disinterested to the interviewer).

Your tips are very helpful, BTW. I’ve been to many different interview types, and these tips work well no matter what the “style” of the interviewer is.

 

[buddy&wooz]

This thread has so many great hints, thanks! Both my teenage son and I will be job seeking in the very near future (he needs a summer job, I need to find something part time.)

I used to be in retail management and other customer service/sales type jobs, but all my former employers are no longer in business, so I don't have any references or records from that time. I have a good record of volunteer work over the last 15 years, and solid references, but it's been so long since I've brought in a paycheck, I really don't know what to expect or even ask for!

 

[AllyandJack]

Don't drink or swear in the interview!

I do recruiting for my law firm and part of the interview process is taking out law students to lunches or dinners. Usually, we do 5 at a time when we narrow it down to 30 in one area. I can't tell you the number of students who order alcoholic beverages during the interview. None of the recruiting attorneys do, but for some reason the casual environment (and the fact that some of them are older than we are) gives people an inappropriate comfort level. I might be 29 and they might be 31 or 32 and we might be laughing and chatting more casually than in a regular interview, but chugging a beer isn't appropriate.

It's also not appropriate to swear in the middle of telling a story. This has happened 5 times (2 times from Harvard Law students). When telling a funny story during a casual interview, keep in mind that you're not just hanging with friends. For some reason, when they get into the environment of having 4 other students, they forget the interviewers are around and act like they're back at the pub.

We do these types of lunch/dinner interviews because we need to see how you act in that situation because a lot of times, clients are brought to lunch or dinner to discuss business. We don't recommend people who drink and swear like they're out at a bar after they just finished their last exam.

 

[ducklite]

Ann,

it’s funny that you mentioned wearing a watch to the interview. In school they specifically told us not to wear a watch so we wouldn’t look at it accidentally during the interview (which would seem like you were disinterested to the interviewer).

Hmmm. I guess it depends on you. I'm not a time watcher unless I'm in a waiting room. If you are, not wearing it is probably good advice. I like to see that the person has a watch--that says to me they are aware of time.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

This thread has so many great hints, thanks! Both my teenage son and I will be job seeking in the very near future (he needs a summer job, I need to find something part time.)

I used to be in retail management and other customer service/sales type jobs, but all my former employers are no longer in business, so I don't have any references or records from that time. I have a good record of volunteer work over the last 15 years, and solid references, but it's been so long since I've brought in a paycheck, I really don't know what to expect or even ask for!

Develop that resume using the volunteer work as long as you've got references to back it up. Did you work as part of a team? Do any accounting/record keeping? Clerical work? Fundraising/event planning? All that will work on a resume! In your cover letter touch on your previous employment and stress any mangement skills you had--staff development, cash handling, etc.

As far as what to ask, monster.com has a great tool that will allow you to get ranges for any given job in any given area. Because of your years out of the work force, I'd probably start a bit above the bottom of the monster range and give a ten percent pay range for yourself. Lets say the job you were targeting had a range of $30-38K. I'd say I was looking in the $32-35 range. Unless the employer specifically asks you to state income requirements, leave it off. If it's an hourly type of pay--like non-management retail, the answer should be "prevailing".

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Don't drink or swear in the interview!

I do recruiting for my law firm and part of the interview process is taking out law students to lunches or dinners. Usually, we do 5 at a time when we narrow it down to 30 in one area. I can't tell you the number of students who order alcoholic beverages during the interview. None of the recruiting attorneys do

Great advice! Same thing goes with the in-office interview. It's OK to accept an offer of a glass of water (especially if it's a really warm day or you've been kept waiting), but nothing else.

Anne

 

[mom2boys]

I am a white collar worker, and actually have gotten every job I have ever applied for, but I have a question. What exactly is a resume portfolio?

A resume portfolio is a fancy folder. I was told that is what got me my first retail management position out of college - I was the only applicant that carried one. Therefore, they assumed I was organized.

Mine had a place for a pad of paper on side and a folder pocket for loose papers on the other. It also had a sleeve for a pen. Mine was a cheap vinyl one but you can get some pretty fancy ones. It was more like a clipboard in a folder - no zipper or closure. They are available at office supply stores. I think I got mine at the drug store.

 

[binny]

portfolios are great. Just make sure it is understated. I have seen some pretty wild looking ones and while they might be fun in your home office I certainly wouldn't take one to an interview.
(Thinking the bright paisley one Target had not long ago. I saw A LOT of them on clearance, must not have been a big seller LOL)

Also watch your tongue. I know some interviewers who purposely make people comfortable to see how "loose lipped" they are. Do you gossip? Make sure you DONT do it at an interview. Even if its its something minor or something silly like a friends fashion faux paux. Many companies really frown on that and will not hire you on that alone. Think about it. If you gossip about something minor what are the odds of you gossiping about something big at work?

You are not there to make friends! You are there to get a job. Friends can come later after you land the job. Not saying you shouldn't be friendly or that you cant laugh at all. Just saying that you need to watch yourself. You are there for interview not a date or a coffee club.


Politics (unless you're interviewing for a political position) don't have any place in an interview. Not only do you run the risk on alienating your prospective employer you can also come off like a know it all if you are forceful in your beliefs, which is fine, but again NOT in interview.


ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS send a thank you card. Even if you totally BOMBED the interview! Send a note that says " I appreciate your time" this goes a long ways. It says " I'm thoughtful" " I'm prepared" "I value your time"
Of course you want this to be professional as well a simple thank you card is much better than a cutesy kitten one that says " You're purrrrrrrrrfectly nice"



Be ON TIME. Major pet peeve to me. People who don't value my time are wasting it.

 

[wdwcindy]

Lots of great info here! Anne, your points were right-on!

One thing to add though. If emailing a resume make sure your email address is appropriate. I can't tell you how many sweetkisses@ or luvsalot@ etc. we have received in our resume in box. Your email address can tell a lot about you.

wdwcindy

 

[ducklite]

Lots of great info here! Anne, your points were right-on!

One thing to add though. If emailing a resume make sure your email address is appropriate. I can't tell you how many sweetkisses@ or luvsalot@ etc. we have received in our resume in box. Your email address can tell a lot about you.

wdwcindy

OMG! That is so true! I get emails from "BikerDude74", "SexyNSingle", "Hottie4U", "FineDawg", "partytime22" and a host of other lovely names from our monster ads.

When I was job hunting I created a seperate email, it's my first initial and last name. I only used it for job hunting, so I got little to no SPAM on it, and checked it daily.

Anne

 

[binny]

very true about email addresses. Also on phone messages on your voice message.

Sound professional there as well.


Not " Hey baby, leave a message and I'll get back to you after Im done partying"

NOT the message you want to send to employers! LOL



And keep it up to date I try ( and this is my major downfall I will admit) to have a message on my business line that say " Hello, this Monday April 17th. I will be in the office today" but I will admit to not changing it often enough. The point is dont say something like that unless you plan on keeping it up.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Would you be interested in retail with a fast track to retail management?

Anne

Yes. Details please.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Miss Kelly~ PM sent!!


gmail is a great place to get email through- I had a permanent email address anyway - it's just firstname.middleinitial.lastname@gmail.com. About as professional as you can get

For my interview I bought a portfolio from Walmart- they had Mead ones that were leather, and also ones that were black nylon- I bought the nylon one for only $5.24 because I knew I wasn't going to get all that much use out of it and I didn't have any money at the time to spend on one. It doesn't have to be expensive!

Also at the end of the interview it's nice to ask for a business card. I had an interview with four different people recently- it helped me remember their names, know their last name, and be able to send a thank you email after the interview. I didn't send a thank you card because I knew they were going to be making their decision either that night or the next day, so a card wouldn't have reached them in time and would have done me no good. A short and sweet, correctlyl spelled email was enough.

 

[ead79]

Anne

Oh my gosh, I’m cracking up now! Sheesh!

And to think I’m typically very conscientious of name spellings (since mine is spelled unusually). Sorry about that! Good thing I’m not interviewing with ya!

I’ve got it now—Anne, not Ann or Annie.

 

[ducklite]

Yes. Details please.

I sent you a PM, let me know.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Here's a MAJOR ONE:

TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE AND/OR BEEPER! Unless your phone/pager is supplied to you by unos.org, you've got NO reason to have it on as you walk into my building.

Take off your sunglasses as you walk into the building, and put them away--do not hang them off your shirt or put them up on your head.

Anne

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

One thing to add though. If emailing a resume make sure your email address is appropriate. I can't tell you how many sweetkisses@ or luvsalot@ etc. we have received in our resume in box. Your email address can tell a lot about you.

No kidding! Just to get off track momentarily -- during last year's Richmond city sheriff election, there was a story that the incumbent sheriff's personal e-mail address was listed on her paperwork when she filed for re-election -- missbuns@aol.com (it was very well publicized and has been changed according to news reports). There were plenty of other issues in that election, but no doubt this didn't help her case any.

With all the free e-mail services out there like yahoo and gmail, plus the fact that AOL, Comcast, and other providers allow multiple e-mails with your service, there's no reason someone can't have an e-mail address dedicated to business.

One more thing about e-mail -- use the signature feature so you can include all of your contact information. Name, address, e-mail, and any phone numbers. That way if you e-mail a resume and write the cover letter in your e-mail you have that all ready to attach.

 

[crazelion]

**Come prepared. This means have your own pen. If neccessary, make yourself an index card with phone numbers and addresses of previous employers and references. (References shouldn't be related to you-we'll ask questions about your work habits and ability to perform the job you've applied for)

That is good advice. Made sheet on my computer that all the places i work and references. The common ask questions. I have come with reponses to the questions.

**Dress neatly. Save the date night clothes for date night.

Please explain to way have dress up like I am at a interview just pick up a application. Say it at night and I happen to see a now hiring sign in your store. You is saying that I can't pick a application becasue I am dress shorts and a t-shirt. That I have go back home put dress clothes to pick up a job application.

**Understand that most retailers are open and do the majority of their sales on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Odds are great that we don't need people for Monday through Thursday. If you only are available M-F days for a retail job, you are less likely to get called.

That is wrong advice again. Many places is looking for early morning help that can work Mon-Fri and day shift. The store I work at can't get anyone too work the dayshift. Everyone is following the advice retail stores only hire for weekends only.

**Do a little research. If the mall's open til 9, then the store will probably need employees to work until 9:30, 10, possibly 11pm. We won't interview a candidate who's availability ends at 8pm. Similarly, if the mall opens at 10am, we probably don't need a 7am to noon applicant.

That's is wrong advice right there. I know many stores have early morning hours receiving and shipping early mornings. My last job I work 7:00am.-Noon and it was Monday-Friday.

Retail places is known for working people 2 hours sending them home. I know my friends does like work retail because the employers do not tell them the truth about there hours.

Good luck! If you're hired, understand the credo of scheduling managers everywhere: The most productive employees get the most hours!

That is so not true. I know me and this other worman bust our tells to get the work out and they would cut hours like crazy. Have us come to work for 2 hours and send us home. They give the lazy people our hours that does not get the work done. So me and the other walk out the door and quit. It depends if managers know how to management people. Is not on a bubby system and give people the hours they like.

Suzanne[/QUOTE]