Assistant Manager 

How did you get your current job?
I was recruited from a different company

What was the application process?
Paper application

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
I was interviewed once by the district manager. Normally there would be several interviews but the store manager had previously worked with me at another company and new she wanted me to work with her so the DM was the only person who needed to give the approval after our only interview.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
What was my departments of responsibility?

How did I control payroll?

I was asked about Key Performance Indicators.

He asked me a few personal questions about myself to get to know me better.

I honestly don’t remember much more than that.

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
I don’t feel like any employer I have ever worked for prepares you well for a job. Everything is rushed and that is why you must be open minded, ask a lot of questions, and take a lot of notes. You are really responsible for your own training because really 1 week is not enough. That is why having previous experience is important because retail management is transferable if you can do it in one company you can do it in another. The expectation might be different but overall it is the same.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
I had 1 week of training which included a workbook that was kind of like a checklist to my progress. It introduces you to the company and your position and is kind of a crash course of what is expected of your position.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
I feel like the communication skills I learned through my human communications minor has been very helpful in my position which I never thought it would be, but the business part is different. I was in school for corporate and small business management and not necessarily front line management. I feel that even a college education doesn’t prepare you for that position only experience does.

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
I had an internship doing payroll and human resources for a ski resort so I really don’t feel like that prepared me at all for what I am doing now but could prepare me for a future career.

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Do not call to find out if the company is hiring. Come properly dressed into the store and ask for a manager in order to pick up an application. You need to have at least 2 years experience in that position or have a college degree in order to even qualify for the assistant position. Bring the application back 100% complete not missing anything to the store manager. Do not attach a resume with the information the application is asking for you need to actually fill it out if it is asking for it. Introduce yourself and give some quick information about why you are qualified for that position as if you are being interviewed. The interview is the biggest part of the hiring process. Be sure to inform yourself of the company in order to reference your knowledge of the company. Know key information such as numbers about the company you are currently working for or may have worked for previous. Talk highly of yourself and your successes in your position making sure it relates directly to the position you are applying for. Be patient, it takes time and a few different interviews in order for an offer to be placed on the table.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
Selling skills, customer service skills, organizational skills, managerial skills, ability to on the spot coach sales associates, previous experience on a POS system, understanding of visual, human resources, sales generation, and loss prevention. Open minded, creative and ability to think outside the box. Follows direction well, ability to multi task, flexibility and competitive.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Most definitly. In order to be hired into a managerial position you must have 2 years of previous experience or a college degree

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Be extremely open minded to the company. Ask a lot of questions. Take advantage as much as possible the only week of actual training you will have. The rest of your training will be in your own hands. Do not let sales associates take advantage of the fact that you are new because they will all test your limits no matter how long they have been working there previous to you. Read thoroughly through the policy and procedures binder. Take lot’s of notes that will be easy to reference. Keep a daily planner in order to keep tasks and different communications in order.