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.

Interview # 26: Get your floaties, we're going swimming!

My current job doesn't give me enough hours, so I went on an adventure and started to apply for other jobs... a particularly popular pool company took interest in me...this is that interview...

Also, here is some adventure music... you're welcome..

My 26th interview was actually a really interesting interview, I had two interviews on two different days, one on Monday and one on Wednesday, my first interview on Monday was a phone interview on account of the manager having to go to another store.

When I found out I had an interview for the company, I had pictured what the place would look like, so I was surprised when I found out it looked incredibly different and slightly like the inside of a garage.
The only person there was the assistant manager, the manager was out at another store for whatever reason. I was actually really excited that the managers were men; most of the time they are women, and I just think it's a bit refreshing to see male managers rather than all of the female supervisors and managers I have had, as well as interviewers. Male managers and supervisors are just rare, so I thought it was cool that there were some here.
Since the manager was at another store, I was given a phone interview. The assistant manager gave me a phone and showed me to the office room so I could have my interview..
The interview went nicely, the manager even said that I was what they were looking for.. and for someone who hadn't been on an interview for 4-5 months, I think I did well. the manager had no problem that I already have a job and just looking for a second one..
Since he liked me as a candidate, he said he would contact me soon.
I was contacted later that day via phone and was scheduled a second interview on the Wednesday.

I finally got to meet the manager, I was kind of hoping the manager would be really attractive, but he wasn't.
The interview was just as good as the phone interview, they were looking for someone who could be working in the day on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday... which was perfect because I usually work at my job in retail at nights.. so I could go there in the morning and go to my current job at night.
There was one part where he asked me if I was familiar with POS (Point of Sales)... and I said I had no idea what that was, but I do have register experience... in which he said POS was being on the register.
After more of the interview, he said the last thing to do was to call my references, which is something no employer has ever said to me before. I gave him my references after he said he would look at the ones that I put in online, since the one I had printed was evidently a bit longer.
He said after he called my references he would send me an email.

I have no idea if I got the job or not, as it is already Sunday and I haven't heard back at all. I'm guessing I didn't get it!

Edit: It's almost been two weeks and so I will assume I did not get it.


Lesson Learned: Even if you get a second interview with a company, it still does not mean they will hire 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 25: It's so magical~

My 25th interview was for Macy's the third time! It took place Friday October 5th, 2012.

For the first time, I actually woke up early at 10 am and had breakfast, something I hadn't done before because interviews always made me nervous and I'd end up sleeping at like 3 or 4 in the morning.
My interview was at 11:45 am.

I got dressed and I left to go to Macy's....

When I got there, I was getting so excited, my first interview was a bust and my second one was pointless. But this time, this time felt different and I was wide awake and not sleepy either... I felt a magical energy at work.
When I got there, I waited for about 10 minutes thinking about how much better I was than the two other people in the room looking for an interview.
When I finally got interviewed it was by a woman with very hairy arms, she was very nice though.
The interview went well and the lady even gave me the answer to one of the questions.

She asked these questions which could be helpful to someone else.

○ Why do you want to work at macys?

My answer was that I wanted to work in retail.

○ Do you have retail experience

In which I said no and the woman said they'd train me.

○ If you saw someone stealing a product, what would you do?

I said that I'd tell them not to do that, but she said it was the wrong answer in which I said tell the supervisor.
Apparently, at Macy's... if someone steals something, the employees become ninja's and sneak around the building to watch what that person who stole the first time, it's a big hush hush until the person is caught.

○ What was a time you had to work as a team?

I said one time I went with my friends to take pictures for our photography class.

In the end I said that the reason why they should hire me was because  I am Reliable, honest and Hardworking and they would not be disappointed.

The next day I got an email at 10 am, although I didn't read it until 2 am on the 7th.
It said your basic, "We didn't like you.. but have a nice day!"

Thank you for your interest in the position of Macy's 

We have carefully reviewed your skills and qualifications. Unfortunately, we do not have an appropriate job opportunity for you.

We thank you again for your interest in exploring employment opportunities with us, and wish you much success in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Human Resources

Macy's

Blah Blah Blah, at this point I'd rather not be notified... I really thought it would work out this time, but  I guess not.

At least I got to see a cute guy at the supermarket later on...

It also had a bad pay, 8.00$ an hour is criminal...
I think all companies should make minimum wage set as 10 an hour, it's a fair pay..I mean a gallon of milk is 5 dollars..

Lesson Learned: Yeah, I really don't know anymore...

I guess, don't get your hopes up and just keep applying...

Interview # 13: The Magic of Macy's

A bit over a year later, May 3, 2012 to be exact. Was my second interview with Macy's.

Fortunately, I didn't have to fill out their questionnaire online, as they had saved the one I did last year.

The interview was a total success, I got there on time, I knew where to go.... and I didn't get the boring guy from the first interview.
I was nicely dressed, and I was prepared. I had a sheet of things to say, things that I could respond with.
(Retail jobs always have questions like "When was the last time you had to work with others, tell me about your experience" or "Why do you want to work here?" Stuff like that.)
I did excellent, I was prim, I was proper, I knew what to say and I was confident and smiling.
The previous day, my supervisor had told me something her professor told her class when she was in college many moons ago. The professor said that a key to being confident, was to wear your best underwear and think to the person you're being interviewed by. "I have my favorite pair of underwear on, and you have no clue." This is a strategy to help raise your confidence, because there is something they don't know... that you do. It definitely worked, and I've always made sure to wear my best underwear on interviews since then! XD
The lady that I was interviewed by liked me, and she actually told me she got the job. The only problem was, they didn't have any opened positions!
Although they didn't have positions available, I was happy that FINALLY someone wanted me. Failure after failure, I had finally succeeded.

Since this Macy's was in a mall, I went to the liberty of spending some of my Christmas money. I bought Patapon III, Medievil, Will & Grace season II, Sands of Destruction and Gate Keepers 21.

Lesson Learned: Even if they loved you and do want to hire you, does not mean they have any open positions.

Interview #1 : Is it a Plane? Is it a Bird? Nope, just a flying pig..

Besides helping everyone that reads this out with interviews and jobs! I will also share my interview experiences. I'll also post a lesson that I learned, that could also be helpful to you.

My first ever job interview was in April of 2011.... it was for the well known company called Macy's!

I had almost no interview experience, aside from a demo I had done in college. I had applied online, they have this questionnaire that apparently you never have to fill out again once you've completed it.
Anyways, so I went to Macy's and I was nicely dressed, nice pants and a business shirt (I don't know the name)...Although, the bad thing was that the shirt was wrinkled and the dryer was broken so I had to bring it to the neighbor's house and when I got the shirt back... it smelled like cigarette smoke because she's a big smoker. The smell did not come out for a while... I have no idea if the interviewer smelled it or not! If you don't know me, I am not a smoker and hate being around it.

When I got to Macy's, I was a bit lost as it had three stories and the main office was actually hidden in the corner of the women's section.
When I got there, the office was very nice and it was a nice atmosphere. Apparently the person that was supposed to interview me was MIA, so they had someone else interview me.
This guy didn't really seem like he was into it, he didn't seem enthusiastic. I bombed half of the questions they asked me, but it also helped me... because I knew what to say on my next interview.
I received an email a week later saying they passed on me, which was fine. I then went into a "I hate macys" phase for not hiring me...
Even though I never went there to shop, I don't hate them anymore though.. as I had a second interview with them a year later and they did like me. Still unemployed though...

I can't say the interview went well, but the experience was good though.

Lesson Learned: It brought me into the interview experience.