I've got an interview! [update! update! page 10]

[welsummerchicks]

For interviews, I think it's important to remember that this is not just the time when they look you over, this is a very important time for you to understand the job, understand if you can do it, and understans how the different people in the company view the job (when multiple people are interviewing you).

Instead of all the advice to do this and do that and not let them see who you really are, I advise being yourself - as long as yourself is polite, well groomed, interested, and organized - what I DON'T advise is pretending to be able to do something you can't do, pretending you like something you don't really like, pretending you are some one you are not.

If you're very shy and quiet, trying to act fake, all bubbly and palsy-walsy will come off badly as dishonesty. If you're very enthusiastic and a hard charger, don't try to pretend you're not - show who you are.

If you're the go-go-go type, you can describe times when you let someone else shine forth or sacrificed being 'top dog' for helping everyone on the team excel. Let them know who you are, but let them see that you can ndo what is needed and keep in mind the company's goals.

The same, if you're shy and quiet, you can describe times when you charged ahead because it was for the good of your employer's goals.

But it really is ok to be who you are. Let them see what they're getting, don't be dishonest, but put yourself in the best light.

Humorously enough I was always horriby shy in interviews. I was fine once I had been someplace for a while, but I undersold myself in interviews. I took a lengthy course to learn how to interview more effectively, got told over and over that I was too shy in interviews and I had to SELL SELL SELL myself.

THEN I started getting feedback that I was 'too aggressive' and 'too much of a hard charger'. Interviewers had the feeling I'd be so busy tooting my own horn I wouldn't help others, that all I cared about was getting promoted and getting more money.

The bottom line is if you try to make an impression that just isn't you, just isn't natural and comfortable to you, it shows. Sure, show yourself in the best light, but don't try to totally change who you are.

 

[LittleChickenLady]

Quote:
I usually keep to myself at work, at least until I get comfortable. At my job now, I sit next to three women that love to talk, and when I first hired in, I didn't talk except to ask questions. Pretty soon I started talking to them, and by the time I got laid off (I work a seasonal job) we all just talked away everyday. We always got our work done, but we had a good time doing it. (I do Data Entry, in case you didn't read that before, so we just sit and type information all day) When I had my evaluation at the end of the season, my boss commented on the fact that I'd come out of my shell since hired, but that I needed to be able to be as comfortable talking to everyone as I was those women. She didn't care that I was still quiet with others, but she wanted me to try to get rid of my shell completely.

I like my shell..

 

[SourRoses]

Yep.. I'm a turtle too!

Anyway...
Pizza King...
I worked at Dominos and Papa Johns...
I would say.. your best bet... khakis. A good blouse or polo or turtle neck.. doesen't matter the top long as it's decent.. but the Khakis are important. You could skip them if you don't have any... but I think they would really help. Why? Usually when pizza places are hiring.. they want an employee asap to fill a desperate gap (probably someone who walked out). They don't really do interviews ahead of time.. they just rush to fill a spot when it's vacated.
So, khaki colored khaki pants are exactly what they'll want you to show up to work in. They'll think "Ooooh.. I can ask her to start tomorrow with those pants".. promise! No extra pockets, zippers, or those little loops that stick out halfway down the leg... I was told, nothing that could get caught on the oven and result in an injury (no suing, LOL).

As to the temp agency versus the pizza place... hmmm...
I think it depends on what you were really thinking of getting at the temp agency. If it were a custodian position.. I would choose the pizza place. If it were something better at the temp that's what I'd go with. But I don't think you'll have the chance to put the pizza place on hold. When we had canidates in.. the manager would ask them at the end of the interview or call a few hours after it to ask when they could start. You know, you can always hire on at the pizza place.. which would likely be part time in the lunch or dinner hours if you are going for insider (phones)... and if you don't like it.. you might still be waiting on a call from the temp agency to give you a chance to change your mind?

Which positions did you mark on your application that you wanted at the pizza place?
Do you have customer service experience? Computer skills? LOL.. those are really all you need.. even if you don't have either you can probably get in on sounding like you'll show up on time and being available on weekends. If you want it, make sure you are available on weekends and holidays! And though you probably won't ever need to, make sure they know you are willing to stay until closing (whatever the hours).
Starting pay for insiders at both Dominos and Papa Johns was $7.50/hr. Assistant managers made $8.00

Insiders worked from either 11 am till 2 pm.. or 4 pm till 8 or 10 (varied).

It's not rocket science.. I know! I just wanted to be helpful and fill in any gaps.

The computers they use are either really nice touch screens (like dominos)... or extremely archaic (Papa Johns), where you had to learn all the f1 f2 buttons and how to use them all together to get what you wanted to show up on the screen.. that was fustrating! For the first few days I took to just writing an order down on a pad nearby and syaing "will be there in 45 minutes" .. then entering the order on the computer after I had hung up with the customer... so they weren't left sighing while I got lost in the labyrinth and had to call someone over..LOL!

So what else.. ohh.. insiders usually answer the phones, every time it rings.. when there are no calls, stick labels on boxes, fold boxes... and hop over to the line to sauce, cheese, or toss some toppings on a pizza. You won't have to worry about the dough for a while.
I can give you pointers on that! Hehe!
Also, you'll be asked at some point to catch the oven... something that takes a little training and practice.. especially when it's fully loaded.. harder than you would think. I never left a newbie alone on the oven though.. so no fear. The drivers usually get the oven when they're in.

It's an easy peasy job... only a little stressful if it's busy. But the manager or assistant usually deals with most of the stress and you can fop difficult customers and such off on them

Once your foot is properly in the door.. it's easier to become a driver! If you have or can borrow a car with full insirance in your name... you can make alot more money that way! But get a GPS. Friday and Saturday nights I could make $100 for 4-5 hours of work no problem. I made $300 one Friday & Saturday together.

I shall end my 'Everything you wanted to know about an easy-peasy job lecture now. If you've already worked in pizza I reserve the right to come back and delete it all and make it sound like you are talking about nonsense!

 

[LittleChickenLady]

I used to be a Hostess, nothing special. So that's my customer service experience.

I know that I said I didn't want to be picky in a previous post, but I really REALLY don't want to be a waitress. I know they can make good money, but I probably would get fired because of stupid customers.

Then again, usually when people get angry with the server it's usually because the server was bad.
I have my own car, and a phone with GPS, but I probably wouldn't get a driving job because I had a wreck a couple years ago that's still on my record. Oh, and a speeding ticket.

I don't own any khaki pants, and I don't have time to go buy a pair. I've got finals all day tomorrow before I go to the interview.

I was thinking that I would wear a nice pair of jeans with an undershirt and a nice sweater? I have one that is long and has the piece that ties around your waist. Thought if I dressed up just a teeny bit, without going overboard, the lady will like me more. Plus I do wear sweaters on a pretty regular basis, so I'm not going out of my way to dress differently.

As for the temp service, I was hoping to be placed in an office of some sort. A hospital or veterinarian's office would be great, especially since my Business Administration degree's emphasis is Health Care Management.
Anything is better than nothing, but I'd at least like to be paid $8.00/hour, which isn't much over minimum wage. Here it's $7.55/hour.

 

[SourRoses]

Oooh! I didn't know minimum went up... it's been a few years since then.

The wreck might do you ill for the driving then.. darn.

That's OK on the pants.. just readily agree to the shopping list if they hire you.

Working in a veternarians office sounds nicer to me!

Your outfit sounds great though!

Is it a lady that is the manager, or a fellow?

It shouldn't matter.. but I was only just reading an article about this... by the numbers.. women tend to hire other women who look studious or less attractive than they are.

The study reviewers in the end of the article suggested trying to look like a libarian

By wearing glasses and such.

I dunno though. Maybe your lady will be wanting a pretty girl for the front

 

[LittleChickenLady]

I'm glad the minimum went up. I lied earlier, it's only $7.25/hour. Used to be $6.55/hour when I was a Hostess and I could hardly pay bills with only that much.

That's okay about the driving thing, I don't really know my way around the city yet anyways. I'm not from here.

I was going to go to school to be a Veterinarian, but decided against it because the school cost a fortune to go to. Even though I got scholarships and grants, I'd have to get huge loans, which I wasn't willing to do.

The manager is a woman. I talked to her today. She told me that she was doing interviews for the rest of the week to talk about options and to "find a happy meduim" about everything. She told me that she'd be there and to just come to the front counter and ask for her and then we'd go back and "have a chat" for a while.

I do have glasses, but I wear my contacts all the time and don't really want to take them out. I hate wearing glasses. Always getting in my way, being on my face and such.

Hopefully she'll like me. I usually feel better if it's a woman. Men always seem so...I don't know. Awkward.


Except my boss for the place that I do Data Entry. She scares me.

 

[RabbitMage]

Don't mean to derail, but I have a question about temp agencies...

Do they usually only handle 9-5 type jobs? I can't really work regularly during the day thanks to my school schedule.

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

Temp agencies have jobs for all hours usually more so for the "off" hours because nobody want's to work late or really early.

 

[LittleChickenLady]

I'm about to go to my Pizza King interview!

I'm still nervous..

 

[LittleChickenLady]

Okay. Now for the results.


The manager really liked me and told me that I'd definitely be hearing back from her on Sunday to schedule a meeting to do paperwork, if I choose to accept the job offer, and that I'll need two forms of identification.

She said that the degree I'm working on caught her eye, and that she had to get me in to see her.

She first asked how old I was, I told her, and we learned that I can't be a waitress (oh well) because you have to be 21 with a liquor license.
She also asked how I felt about doing delivery, and I told her I didn't care, but that I had an accident two years ago and a speeding ticket from around the same time (reckless teenage driving) and that I didn't know if that would matter, but that I thought she ought to know.
She said that she really liked the fact that I told her that up front, instead of her finding out later.
She also liked that I'd be willing to close a couple nights a week. She said I wouldn't believe how many people actually tell her they aren't willing to do that. I personally don't think that someone who was that picky would be worth it. There are plenty of people who would be willing to do the same job, for less money, just to have a job. People make me mad sometimes...

We talked about pretty normal restaurant stuff, like bossy customers and such.

We made lots of jokes, which I thought was nice. Made me less nervous.

So basically the interview went great! It's only part-time for right now, because the economy is crap, but it's better than nothing.
I've thought about it, and I think I'm going to accept it. I don't have to stay there long if something better comes up, but for right now, I really need the money.

As for the temp service, I'm still going to see them tomorrow. I figured I could let them know about the other job offer and that maybe they can find me another part-time job, so I can work two part-time jobs, and that's like working full time...kinda.

My main reason for wanting to go ahead with the pizza place is because it's very close to my house. A ten minute drive. Literally. Which means winter driving won't be too stressful, and less gas.
Not only that, I still want to keep my seasonal job doing Data Entry.


Like I said, if something way better comes up, I'll be willing to give these jobs up. But until I get paid over $10/hour, I think I'm going to stick with trying to work multiple part-time jobs.

ETA: I also had to wait for FORTY minutes once I got there for the manager to come to the table. It wasn't a big deal, I just sat and looked at the menu and stuff.

I just would think that when they schedule an appointment time, they would stick to that appointment time. I was at the place twenty minutes early, and sat in the parking lot until five minutes before I needed to be there, then waited forty-five minutes (because I was five minutes early) to talk to the manager lady.