Interview # 47: I love Adventures!

Okay, so I had applied for a job that was the same pay as my current job. I got a call, and at first, I brushed it off. Why would I go for a job that is the same pay rate? Not to mention, it's Tuesday-Saturday! I like my Saturdays! I asked a bunch of people, 2 people said don't go for it, but 5 people said go for it. My one friend said, since I'm so miserable in retail, I might as well try this, because if I have a chance to be happy, I should go for it!

So I call back the lady a day later, and she gets back to me... Usually companies don't get back to me, so I was surprised. She asks me some questions, she tells me that the job is Tuesday-Saturday. I paused for a moment, because I wanted to ask her about this fair I go to every year, that is on a Saturday.. but I didn't, and then she went "You paused once I said Saturday", and I said I was just writing what the hours were down (Which was true, but a good save by me.)
She asks me to come in for an interview, but she requests that she emails me the information.. so since I was at work, and my phone service sucks... I couldn't view it until I got home. I completed all the information at home.. etc.. She sends me an email about an interview on Thursday at 10am! Which is great and all, until I realized I was closing the day before, and wasn't' getting home until 12am.

I somehow got enough sleep, and I get to the place. Now in the email, it says to go past a security booth, and then go to the other side of the building (With car). But I got confused with the instructions, and so I ended up going through the building, and walking through the whole thing, until I found it.

I meet up with the lady, and she tells me that I am going to do a testing assessment. I do the assessment, which was supposed to take 15 minutes, but  I finished it in around 8-10 minutes. It was basically just doing data entry tests, which were rather easy, and kind of fun. I only got one wrong, and on the last one, which bothered me. But other than that, I got a 99% right.

The interviewer, ends up being another lady. She's this nice grandma like lady, and she was telling me about how much she loves data entry, and typing. She was clearly nervous herself, while I'm just normally awkward. She said it was great that I did so well in the assessment.
She went over the job, about how it's Tuesday-Saturday. She had moments where she couldn't think of what else to tell me about the job.
She told me about how she works retail too, at Kmart. I told her that I'm very detail oriented, because at my job, they told me to just throw the merchandise wherever.. she said at Kmart, they want perfection, and that she should get a job at my store. I told her, I could give her a good reference!

She seemed to really like me, she said that I seem like a nice person, and that she believed me when I said I was detail oriented, or I get along with everyone.. etc..

I asked her these questions:

• What's an average day like
• What's your favorite thing about this company?
• What is the competitive scene like? Who am I up against, and what would I have to do, to show I am the right choice?

At once point, I felt like I was interviewing her. lol

I did forget to tell her my three adjectives, that I'm Friendly, Ambitious and Optimistic. But I think she thought that about me.

So, before I did the assessment, the first lady gave me a water bottle, as she asked If I wanted anything.
Now, a cool interview trick is.. to ask for water.... or whatever. Because when you don't know what to say, you take a sip of the drink, and it gives you more time to think about what you're going to say. I did this a few times with the water bottle,

She asked me to describe a time I had to face a challenge. I took a sip of water, and I thought of a time.. where I dealt with this very nasty customer. The customers coupon didn't work, so I got the supervisor to override it. Now, what really happened was... the lady was a bitch from the start, and a bitch to the end.. she was by far, the nastiest person I've ever had to deal with.
However, the lie is, that after we got the "coupon" to work, the lady became very happy, and nice.
So that's my challenge, even though it's half a lie.

At times, I did however come off rather awkward, but the lady seemed a little awkward too, so I don't think it was a  big deal.
Of course, my dumb ass parked in the wrong direction. So I was trying to find the stairs for the way I didn't go through, and the first lady saw me kind of looking around, confused. She showed me the way, I told her I wanted to walk, because I love adventures (I said the same thing twice like an idiot).
I found the way..
But my problem is, if I've never been somewhere, or if I've never done something.. I'll get really confused and just get the directions wrong somehow. (Such as, now that I know where to go, the directions to the building in the email, is rather easy and I understand it now.)

So the interview, I think went very well. We'll just see what happens next!

Edit: As of May/01/2018. I found out that they liked me, and I will be working for this company, starting the 22nd of May.

Interview #32: 'Bout to Drop the next Big Beat Yo!

My 32nd interview happened the next Thursday, after my 31st interview. Unlike my 31st interview, this was for a full time position in an office. The company is a DJ company that sells DJ equipment to DJ's, and even has a few physical stores.
When I was getting ready for the interview, I found out that I would have to take the expressway.. Which I really didn't want to, and I learned to just take the service road, which really wasn't that bad either, since it was only about 4-5 lights until I got to my destination.

When I got to the place, I was excited because I was thinking I would have to work in the actual store, just behind the scenes, but it was actually the corporate office! (Which is what I wanted)
When I went inside, I was seated and I had to fill out some paperwork. I had noticed that there was a whole booklet of separate application papers, I figured that they either had many people applying.
When I got in for the interview, it went very well. Even though I hadn't been on many interviews for a while, I answered questions very well and they really liked me. They really grilled me too, they asked all sorts of questions that I've been asked separately.. almost like every interview all at once.
They asked questions like...

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years"

I said, I see myself in a company that values professionalism and advancement.

They asked me what my weakness was, I said math, but if needed I would use a calculator.

He asked me a question about my personality, I said that I am shy, but once I get comfortable with everyone, I open up.

The guy asked many questions and I answered them very well, I could tell I did good because he had this stupid grin on his face.

At one point, he asked about my hobbies, I said I enjoyed playing Video games, watching Japanese Animation, Drawing, Photography.
He told me he was doing a side project where he was making a video game with somebody.

The interview went very well and he introduced me to the entire staff! I shook hands with everybody, and learned their names.

The last on the list was to OK a background check, the lady at the front desk said they just wanted to make sure I wasn't wanted in any states or anything.. I was just worried about my credit score, since mine isn't great due to a crazy amount of student loans.

I really enjoyed that interview, and at 5:00pm I got a strange call that came from the same town..since that was the only interview I went on in that area, It must have been them, right? They said I did not get the job, but they'd keep my resume on file.
I was really disappointed because it seemed like a great job, with lot's of fun people!

A few days passed and I actually got a call back from them, they wanted me in for another interview! What.. huh? Confused??? So either the number that called me wasn't them, or they had a change of heart. (Or maybe I wasn't supposed to get that call?)
The funny part was, at first I wanted the job, but then I thought about it and I didn't really want it anymore because I feel that the product they're selling is not very interesting to me.

They wanted me for an interview the next day.. which annoyed me because I need time to get it together, let the thought sink in. Unfortunately, I had closed at my job, so I didn't go to bed until like ... 2 am and I had to be there at about 10 am.. Easy to say, I didn't get lot's of sleep.
I got there really quick, it took me 20 minutes to get there, which was awesome timing!

I got into the building and the guy immediately recognized me through the glass window, and I was seated very quickly, I found out I was only competing with one other person! this marked the second time I've been on a second interview.
This time I met with the interviewer from before, and another person higher in the ranks.
Because I was tired and because I didn't really want the job, I wasn't on my A game, but I was still good. I answered questions, but maybe not as well. There was one time when they asked what I liked most about my current job, and I said the people. They asked what I liked least about the job, I said that there was too much work and not enough people.. which I regret saying and I should have just said that the annoying thing is there are no employee bathrooms (I've since asked a few co-workers and they agree with this statement)
I think I did okay, not as great as the first time. Conveniently, I had a wardrobe malfunction and had to leave the room in haste as I was leaving and didn't get to say to them, that if they hire me, they will not regret their decision.. but I had to fix my wardrobe malfunction.. but I probably looked ridiculous as I was leaving.....
The place seemed great and it clearly had good people, but I knew it wasn't for me. I have no care for their products (They did say they prefer people that have an interest with DJ supplies, which I didn't.). The other thing was, that I knew I'd never want to leave that place once I got it, I really just want a job I will stay at for a while, not forever. I need a fun little job to last me months to a year or two. I just need a better paying job, one with a normal 9-5 schedule, so I can make some more money and get situated with my life goals, it was definitely one of my best interview experiences and it helped me get familiar with the area, as I had never driven to the town before.
I would have loved to work there, if they sold interesting items or if it was a Video Game company.. Then I'd do everything I can to get the job. Right type of setting, but wrong product....It had a great atmosphere.

Lesson Learned: I've said this one already, but sometimes the job isn't right for you. It could be perfect, but it's not exactly what you need in your life right now, you need something different.

Interview number.. I forgot.. what was I up to??

So, today 8/28/2014 I went on another interview... Interview 27..You know what they say, third time is a charm.. I don't know what they say about the fourth time.. but I went on my fourth interview with Macy's.
I decided to go and apply for Macy's... even though I had been on an interview with them three times in the past 2 years ago... last time was 10/00/2012.
I really want to get an office job, but I have to get my driver's license first.. I thought I would apply for Macy's for reasons.. even though it was a retail position I clearly applied for.
I filled out their survey, which I thought I had failed because the other times I applied, I got an email about an interview the next day.. but this one I got the email two days later.

I was really nervous as I hadn't been on an interview for a year... I just kept writing down possible questions they would ask me.
I was sitting in the waiting room for a while.. maybe 5-10 minutes.
The interviewer was actually the manager that interviewed me the last time I went on an interview, I don't know if she recognized me or not though.
The weird thing is she did not ask me any questions that I had saved.. not even the one that I was asked previously at another time with a different interviewer (Describe a time you used teamwork)..
The questions she asked were pretty simple, such as if I work well with a team and alone.. which department I would be interested.. what do I do at my current job.. simple things. There were even things that she filled out for me without even asking me..
It was so weird, when I didn't have retail experience, it was really trivial.. but after working in another retail industry (That I cannot name).. half of the stuff I didn't even need to mention... I almost felt like I was overqualified.
What I wanted to do was work at my current job and Macy's, both part time; but they said I could only choose one or the other.
My current job I am full time and get paid 8.25.. Macy's wanted to hire me.. I said part time before I knew I could not work both jobs... and they would pay me 8.00 an hour.
I started to realize that me applying for Macy's was just kind of silly... I already work in retail.. and the store I work at is a bit more laid back than Macy's from what the manager was describing it. I started having flash backs about how my current job is.. and even though it's stressful, I feel like I am supposed to be there.. like Macy's may just not be the place for me.
My original plan was to get my license and an office job..but getting a job at Macy's would just be a detour.
I told the interviewer I would get back to her if I still want the job... But I don't think I will take it.
I was having problems at my current job.. so that's why I thought of going to Macy's.. but to be honest.. It's better to rough it out than run away.. and then go with the original plan of an office job!
So, my first three interviews with Macy's, they didn't want meh.. but now they want meh.. but I don't really want them... weird how things work.

On the plus side, since I do want to get a new job soon, of the clerical kind.. this interview gets me a little toasty for interviews.. and ready for the big boys.

Lesson Learned: You may realize that, the job isn't the right job for you.

Learning useful lifetime skills

Having a job, even if for a little while can be very helpful for you in the future. The skills you learn at one job can most certainty be helpful for you in your next job, but it can also help you with every day tasks as well.

I've actually become better and more knowledgeable at certain things because of jobs I previously had and the one I have now.

Working in a mail room for 4 months allowed me to understand mail more, and how to enclose documents in them correctly. One thing about the mail room, is that we didn't lick the envelopes, we taped them. Since then I do not lick the envelopes but put tape over them, it's a much more sanitary way that also doesn't make you run out of spit or have that nasty taste in your mouth.
Although not related, but working in the mail room... I had a 2 and a half hour bus ride. When I worked here, I really started to pay attention to the bus schedule and where I was, the towns... the routes, roads... I really started to figure out where everything was and what their names were.

Working as a part of a maintenance crew for one week actually allowed me to understand the maintenance part of the world better, I learned more about how to clean things the correct way, or at least by business standards.
An interesting tip for picking up garbage without gloves is to just take a bag, pick the garbage up with the bag and then turn the bag inside out.

Working in an office for a year allowed me to better my office skills, I learned how to use a copy machine, fax documents, scan documents, better my skills in microsoft office and I learned how to use excel.
I also answered phones, which allowed me to be more professional on the phone and allow for an easy phone introduction for any company.
"Hello "Insert company name", how can I help you?"

Working in retail has been a great experience thus far, I have increased my customer service skills. "Hello how are you" and "Have a nice day" is something I seem to do anywhere now.
Since I'm on the cash register, I'm also becoming more of a problem solver, I'm starting to handle money better than I used to and figuring tactical ways to break up the money for the right amount.

Orientation # 1

I've never been to an orientation before!!! OR have I...... *Flash back to two insurance companies I went to once...*

I have great news and bad news!

The great news is, I have a job!
The bad news is, it's in retail and the pay is 7.25 an hour (Wah wah wah)

It wasn't an interview, but a meeting; With about 8 other people. We all had to fill out a bunch of work papers. There was a whole lot of down time; so we all got to know each other. One girl was convinced she knew me, but once we found out we went to the same middle school, high school and college, we must have crossed paths at some point in time.

The meeting went well, we mostly filled out papers and the guy who was there told us about the store policies and all of that stuff.

The meeting was nice and everyone was nice as well, although the pay is just deplorable... I mean 7.25 and hour? A gallon of milk costs 5 dollars!
But at least it is a stepping stone in the start of anything for me; even if it sucks... you just have to hold on tightly (And look for something better on the side)

Oddly enough, I can't reveal the name of the company because the person we spoke to said not to talk about the store in a good or bad way.. and he said no blogging! I was like... really.. I was thinking about this blog when he said that.
The only thing I can say is that it's a big retail store much like Kohl's, which the store was compared to.

Training starts tomorrow the 27th, not looking forward to that since I didn't want to work on Saturdays; alternatively I could go on Sunday, but I'll choose it earlier.
Good thing though, the orientation was a paid meeting!

I think this will be an interesting experience for me, as I've never had a retail job before and I am interested in the experience, hopefully it will turn out okay for me.

I'm still going to look for something else in the mean time though...

I am however really sad in a way, cause this means it is time to say good bye to all of the great people at my volunteer work..
It's funny cause I am upgrading and downgrading at the same time.
It's an upgrade because I am getting paid; but it's also a downgrade since office work is so much better than retail.

Clue # 1:  If they ask for two forms of I.D, 99% of the chance it means they are hiring you.
This has happened to me twice before, once for a staffing company and another time for a trip to NYC.
Technically, my first employer is a staffing agency. But they have been as useful as a dead cat.

Interview # 7 Lucky number 7?

Interview # 7 was and has been a great experience for me. After the interview with the methadone clinic, I never got a response... so I went on my next interview for an Administrative Assistant, which was another volunteer position.
The interview went nicely, and I was really able to jump out on what to say. My only mistake was that I hadn't turned my cell phone off... so right before the interview ended my phone went off. I had the intro song to the anime Ghost hunt on my phone... the funny thing is that when I think about this interview, I always imagine magical balls of light floating around.. like in the intro to Ghost Hunt.
The interview went well and I was accepted, as of 9/3/2012. I am still employed by this company. By October/17/2012.... I will have been employed by them for a year.

I am very great ful that the company brought me under their wing, I have learned many things from them. I've learned more about how to make a good resume, cover letter etc..
I also have clerical experience, along with answering phones, filing, faxing, copying and even scanning documents onto a database on the internet. I've learned a whole lot from this job, and I'm thankful that I got this. I'm also happy that I didn't stay in the mail room, especially not the school and I'm lucky that the Methadone clinic didn't take me in.
The cool thing is, unlike the mail room. The Supervisor actually cares and actually lets me look for paying positions online, while the Mail Room supervisor was never very happy when I did so.
I've also been able to get used to the job experience and I've been in this company MUCH longer so I am learning new things and it won't look like I'm some kind of flake that skips from job to job.
I've also met lot's of different people that I've become friends with.

Lesson Learned:  A good rule, make sure to put your cell phone on vibrate or turn it off completely! XD
For me, this job has been very influential, it has taught me many things about interviews, resume's, cover letters and lot's of things about job searching and anything to do with it. It's an experience I'll always remember.

Interview #4: It's........ Chuckie!

My fourth interview was another volunteer job, I had obtained this position because it was much closer to home. I didn't like this job at all, and I was able to go back to the mail room eventually.


This was a maintenance position, which seemed easy enough. I was told I would vacuum and sweep for a school... I was thinking in an actual school. But this place wasn't even the school...
This school was for bad kids, I had to clean their dorms.
First off, the dorms looked like ancient buildings you'd see in a horror movie. Apparently is used to be a convent for nuns.
Someone was already on the maintenance crew, this 29 year old woman with three kids. Since she was alone with this position for a long time. She made ME do all of the dirty work! I had to clean toilets, showers and pick up garbage. She never let me vacuum and I never got to sweep like I was told I would do.
The whole place had a creepy aura to it, I felt like it was haunted or something. One of the rooms, in fact had a chuckie doll in them... just a glimpse of how evil this kids were...
Everyday you'd turn the lights on and.... Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Chuckie! It was really creepy!

The top dorms had the rooms for all of the older kids, and the boys rooms were FILLED with pictures of non nude women with gigantic breasts. The kids there must have incredibly dirty minds.. it was very disturbing.
The whole place just had an uneasy feeling.
The travel was terrible, it took me like 20 minutes to get there from walking from the bus stop... I was told it wouldn't be hard to get there, but I had to walk forever across a mall. By the time I would get there, I was already tired and sweating. Then I had to do more labor that was very tiring... the whole job wore me out and I was only there for three days!
The people were nice, except for this one lady... I mean she was nice but she said this one remark that I thought was rude. She asked me how I thought the job was; I responded "It's an interesting job I have not experienced before". In which she replied along the lines of "Well, sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do." I don't remember clearly, but I just remember I found it to be rude... especially when I didn't say that I didn't like the job.
I enjoyed having lunch though, since it was summer... I would chill on the picnic bench, I would eat lunch and then read a manga for a half an hour. The good thing was there was no supervision...

So, I took an hour lunch when I was only supposed to have a half an hour. But mainly because it was a very physical position that tired me out easily, it just wasn't something I was able to do simply... I had a very tough time with it... as I am not the Hulk or Hulk Hogan.

I was incredibly lucky that I was able to go back to the mail room; it may have taken two and a half hours to get there, but at least it wasn't creepy and physically demanding.

Lesson Learned: Not all jobs are enjoyable, some can be hard, boring, and just downright horrible. The place and the atmosphere can be eerie and un-enjoyable. Sometimes we have to do things we don't like.

Interview #2: Did someone order a mailman.. or was that just me?

My second interview was actually a not for profit job, where I didn't get paid a cent! But the experience was memorable and I'll never forget being there...
I also did look for paying jobs while I was there.
I had this interview on May 17th of 2011.

I actually had to take two buses, which took a total of 2 and a half hours to get to! I had to get up at 6 am just to get there at 9 am.
Although, in the long run. This job actually helped me understand the area, I learned about numerous towns as well as how to get to certain places.
When I actually got to the place for the interview, I was actually really afraid. As I have a fear of getting lost, and this place was HUGE! Plus, I didn't know exactly where I was going. Fortunately, there was a woman who got off the bus with me that knew where I was supposed to go.
When I got to the right room, I actually had a nice experience. The supervisor was very nice and welcoming, and I didn't really have to say anything. Not for profit jobs tend to be easier to get, they'll take you as long as you aren't crazy (in a bad way), or on drugs, alcohol etc... As long as you're level headed and not a psycho.

I worked at the mail room for 4 months, I was let go for unknown reason. But the last day I was there, we all had completed the work. There was literally no work left! So, since then... I've told people I was let go due to lack of work. Even though I truthfully do not know why they let me go.

Although it was a short time being there, I learned a whole lot about nearby area's, I learned about how having a job was, I made friends, I learned that there are lot's of attractive people in giant government buildings :3 and most importantly... I bought a kind of iced tea at their cafe that was so awful... that I can't drink iced tea anymore, or it reminds me of that nasty stuff.. :(

Lesson Learned: It made me understand the workforce, I understood more how having a job was.