This is more of a question going out to those of you who actually work in department stores. I have a job interview for JC Penneys this coming Thursday. I applied for a part-time position. I have never applied at a department store, and I was wondering if anyone can give me a heads up about a department store interview process? What can I expect? What exactly are they looking for, especially in part-time/seasonal/temp positions?

I was just about to make a thread like this. :lol:

I was just about to make a thread like this. :lol:
Really? Oh, how interesting! :lol:

Well, I used to work as the assistant manager for the gift shops at the zoo here, and I did a lot of hiring and firing.

I looked for people who were honest. I didn't want people who told me what they think I wanted to hear. That drove me NUTS! I kinda felt bad for people who came in full suits with brief-cases...they seemed like they were trying too hard. But, jeans and a t-shirt was an instant no, too. Well-groomed, polite, friendly...

Stuff like energetic and, above all, flexible hours!

Well, I used to work as the assistant manager for the gift shops at the zoo here, and I did a lot of hiring and firing.

I looked for people who were honest. I didn't want people who told me what they think I wanted to hear. That drove me NUTS! I kinda felt bad for people who came in full suits with brief-cases...they seemed like they were trying too hard. But, jeans and a t-shirt was an instant no, too. Well-groomed, polite, friendly...

Stuff like energetic and, above all, flexible hours!

Good advice. :)

Well, I used to work as the assistant manager for the gift shops at the zoo here, and I did a lot of hiring and firing.

I looked for people who were honest. I didn't want people who told me what they think I wanted to hear. That drove me NUTS! I kinda felt bad for people who came in full suits with brief-cases...they seemed like they were trying too hard. But, jeans and a t-shirt was an instant no, too. Well-groomed, polite, friendly...

Stuff like energetic and, above all, flexible hours!
Thanks for your input! I really needed that. I only applied for part-time, temporary or seasonal positions because I already work fulltime. My hours are limited. I can only work in the evenings from Monday through Saturdays and then all day on Sundays.

I have never worked anything in retail, so this would be my first time. They never told me what department I would be working under, but I hope it's something interesting like women's clothing, baby's clothing, beds/bath, or shoes or something. I really don't want to work under something that's unfamiliar to me such as the men's department or expensive jewelry.

I realized I need to polish my résumé and provide a copy for them. I will be working on that this week.

I'm freaking out about what I'm going to wear to my interview.

I'm freaking out about what I'm going to wear to my interview.
What kind of job are you applying? Usually, wearing something nice/casual-nice will suffice. Don't forget to be honest and maintain good eye contact. Shake the interviewer's hand before the interview and introduce yourself. Then, thank them for their time after they have interviewed you. :)

i used to work for jc penneys and macys...theyre a joke

I have never worked anything in retail, so this would be my first time. They never told me what department I would be working under, but I hope it's something interesting like women's clothing, baby's clothing, beds/bath, or shoes or something. I really don't want to work under something that's unfamiliar to me such as the men's department or expensive jewelry.

Housewares- the most boring department. Nothing to do when it gets slow. At least in clothing, you can always count on people being total slobs and leaving clothes in the dressing rooms and a mess out on the floor. Keeps you busier.

At Kohl's when I worked there, the busiest dept. was shoes. Those associates didn't even have to be backup cashiers because they were too busy.

I'm freaking out about what I'm going to wear to my interview.
At your age, I wouldn't get too fancy. Sometimes that looks like you want too much money or something. But then at your age, they shouldn't expect something like that anyway. Nice khakis and a nice shirt will be good.

i used to work for jc penneys and macys...theyre a joke
How so?

Housewares- the most boring department. Nothing to do when it gets slow. At least in clothing, you can always count on people being total slobs and leaving clothes in the dressing rooms and a mess out on the floor. Keeps you busier.
Yeah, clothing is actually my preference. I've filled out various applications that I can't even remember whether or not they asked me a department preference. In fact, I do recall applying on their computer at the store, and I may have been asked. I just can't remember for the life of me. :eek:

I would say just be your self and good luck

I would say just be your self and good luck
Aw, thank you!

when is your job inviewer my friend

I got my job. :D

Yeah, clothing is actually my preference. I've filled out various applications that I can't even remember whether or not they asked me a department preference. In fact, I do recall applying on their computer at the store, and I may have been asked. I just can't remember for the life of me. :eek:
I don't recall Kohl's asking me, because they put me in children's. I don't think I would have personally requested that back then, but it turned out okay.

An update: I got the part-time job! :woohoo: There were two interviews (a casual one and then one with a manager), and they both seemed to like me! I am going to training tomorrow morning at 10:15 a.m. For now, they are having me work about 10-15 hours per week on Fridays and Saturdays until closing. In December, I could be working for about 30 hours a week (especially during the 2.5 weeks we are off for Christmas break). I'm happy!

Congrats, Courtnee! What is your job?

Scoobiedoo30, it was on Thursday.

Congrat's my friend

An update: I got the part-time job! :woohoo: There were two interviews (a casual one and then one with a manager), and they both seemed to like me! I am going to training tomorrow morning at 10:15 a.m. For now, they are having me work about 10-15 hours per week on Fridays and Saturdays until closing. In December, I could be working for about 30 hours a week (especially during the 2.5 weeks we are off for Christmas break). I'm happy!

Congrats, Courtnee! What is your job?

Scoobiedoo30, it was on Thursday.
I work at areopostale (http://www.aeropostale.com/home/index.jsp) now. My first day is tomorrow.

Congratulations, Mona and Courtnee. :)

Thank you, Scoobiedoo30 and Mike! :D

Yay! Good job you two!