I need part-time job interview advice! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

swedeace · 10-13-2007, 02:56 PM

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?

Courtnee · 10-13-2007, 05:09 PM

I was just about to make a thread like this.

swedeace · 10-13-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Courtnee

I was just about to make a thread like this.

Really? Oh, how interesting!

tdf4077 · 10-13-2007, 05:44 PM

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!

Nighthawk76 · 10-14-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdf4077

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.

swedeace · 10-15-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdf4077

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.

Courtnee · 10-16-2007, 04:01 PM

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

swedeace · 10-16-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Courtnee

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.

Georgia's on my Mind · 10-16-2007, 08:31 PM

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

dawsongirl · 10-16-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swedeace

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.

dawsongirl · 10-16-2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Courtnee

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.

swedeace · 10-16-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Georgia's on my Mind

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

How so?

swedeace · 10-16-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

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.

Scoobiedoo30 · 10-16-2007, 11:11 PM

I would say just be your self and good luck

swedeace · 10-16-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoobiedoo30

I would say just be your self and good luck

Aw, thank you!

10-13-2007, 02:56 PM	#1
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	I need part-time job interview advice! 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?
	Last edited by swedeace; 10-13-2007 at 05:04 PM.

10-13-2007, 05:09 PM	#2
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	I was just about to make a thread like this.
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

10-13-2007, 05:44 PM	#4
tdf4077 JaJa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,678	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!
	__________________ CSC--The Best Cycling Team in the World!!

10-16-2007, 11:11 PM	#14
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I would say just be your self and good luck
	__________________ Who Dat

10-16-2007, 04:01 PM	#7
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	I'm freaking out about what I'm going to wear to my interview.

10-16-2007, 08:31 PM	#9
Georgia's on my Mind Senior Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Aug 19, 2001 Posts: 25,054	i used to work for jc penneys and macys...theyre a joke