possible interview

[Turbo617]

Hey CB7tuner, I got a possible interview tomorrow with the training team for CVS, I know they don't pay good, but hey it could be my first job and I'm grateful. Being a broke college student isn't new to anyone but I really want to get into the CB7 game, so hopefully I get this job!

question: got any tips for me? should I ask specific questions? be myself?

I'm kinda nervous:x

[dbales]

Be yourself. Don't act nervous. Be confident. Practice in front of a mirror could help with figuring out what to say so you don't stumble around with the interviewer.

I hope you get the job. I know what its like being jobless and wanting to get stuff done to your car. Good luck.

[deevergote]

Just be sure to present yourself well. Shower, shave, wear nice clothes (don't overdress, but don't wear a tshirt and ripped jeans.)
Be on time, or a few minutes early (never late, and never REALLY early...)
Go prepared with 2-3 good questions about the functions of your prospective job, so they'll know you're actively interested in it.

Don't overhype yourself, and don't use words that sound like you're clearly trying to sell yourself. For example, if they ask what your best qualities are, stay away from vague character descriptions like "I'm really honest", or "I get along with everyone". Any good interviewer can smell bullshit a mile away.

Don't let yourself talk too much. When they ask a question, answer the question. Don't ramble. There's always a good chance that you'll say something extra that they don't need to hear... and that they might not particularly like. Be clear, concise, and brief. Also, when answering their questions, don't ever put yourself in a negative light (even if the question is digging for it.)

Overall, just as dbales said... be calm, be confident, and be yourself. Don't be too nervous. There's no reason to be. You're already capable of presenting yourself as an intelligent person by the way you type on here, so that says something. Already, I'd say you're probably head and shoulders above at least half the applicants they get going by that alone!

[S Swap]

This should be common sense, but I've seen several people pass it up....
Leave everyone else behind. Don't bring your friends or parents into the interview. If you get a ride up there, leave them in the parking lot or have them wander the store.
Bringing your parents into the interview is hilarious, and you'll never get the job.

[Turbo617]

Would I impress them more if I asked
how can this company help me grow as an individual?
what do you like about this company?

" Be calm, be confident, be myself. " Hm so I can make them laugh a little? I sorta love putting a smile on peoples faces , or am I commiting suicide making them laugh?

[CyborgGT]

Little jokes can be good - if appropriate! No Jews in a bar, obviously.

Personally I've always felt saying things like "grow as an individual" is unrealistic. No one talks like that, so if I were the interviewer that's something that might hang me up and distract me for a second. Plus, they're not trying to sell YOU on the job, you're trying to sell yourself so they don't pick any one of those other applicants.

[HardInThePaint]

Are u talking about CVS pharmacy (sorry they don't have them out here, I've only seen them in Texas)? At any rate, they're probably not going to be really trippin during the interview, its not like u applied at Microsoft or some shit. Remember if they ask u "Give me some of your good qualities" go head and do that. And if they then ask "What are some things u need to work on about yourself", be sure to give them something that sounds like a liability but actually is an asset. Something like, "Well I'm very particular about details, sometimes I take a lot of time making thing right." It sounds like your saying that your attention to detail takes up time but in actuality being attentive to detail is a good quality. U don't have to use that example, but something like that. And be sure to keep in contact with them after the interview. Don't harass them, but call them periodically. Keep your name in their heads.

[deevergote]

Little jokes can be good - if appropriate! No Jews in a bar, obviously.

Personally I've always felt saying things like "grow as an individual" is unrealistic. No one talks like that, so if I were the interviewer that's something that might hang me up and distract me for a second. Plus, they're not trying to sell YOU on the job, you're trying to sell yourself so they don't pick any one of those other applicants.

I agree 100%. A little humor is good, as long as it's a sign of confidence and friendliness, rather than an indication of insecurity. You definitely want to come across as personable, but not immature.

When it comes to asking questions, keep them relevant, and don't make it sound like you're asking a question just to ask a question (which is what the "grow as an individual" question seems like.) Asking what they like about the company is good. Just don't ask questions if they seem forced. If it goes well with the conversation, good. If not, just hold off.

As your first job, yes... you're selling yourself. You have no degree yet, no experience, nothing really to make them want you other than who you are.
I've got two degrees, I've owned multiple businesses, I was management at almost every other job I had (other than my restaurant jobs... no money in management there!) When I go to an interview, I interview THEM. I'm not going there to see if they're interested in me for the position... I'm going there to see if I want to take it! That comes with experience and education... and also the lack of a desperate need for a job. I've gone to interviews for jobs I never even wanted, just to see if I could get the job... and to keep my skills sharp. I got offers from 3 of the last 4 I interviewed for, and the 4th interviewer was such a jerk that I just walked out on him.



Also... it's CVS. They hire reject stoner highschool kids. You're a well-spoken college student. I don't think you're going to have a problem!

[Turbo617]

Ok, I did the interview.. This is straight honesty sorry for the language.

Interview was at 11am. I fell asleep at 3am, woke up at 8am, Got ready, looked for my resume, left at 10:04am, waited for the bus took forever, got on the train at 10:30.. the train operator was "driving" the train like a old lady at 10-20mph even though average is 20-30mph, looked at the time when I was halfway there, 10:40. I'm starting to think "already I'm late and this is just an interview". I got to the building at 10:51am, door locked, I called the number they had posted on the window. .waited 3 minutes for someone to come down, then sat down on the chair, took out my resume and waited..

All the while I'm nervous as fuck! My mind is going all over the place, what to ask, what if i mess up, what if I can't speak, what if they asked something and I respond completly off-topic..

Then this Hottt ass female came to me and introduced herself.. My mind was like " damnnnn ". While she asked me these questions I answered honestly, made her laugh alot and all the while kept thinking VVVVVV

Also... it's CVS. They hire reject stoner highschool kids. You're a well-spoken college student. I don't think you're going to have a problem!

^^^^
and now I wait

[deevergote]

See... a hot woman would have made me MORE nervous!

[Turbo617]

See... a hot woman would have made me MORE nervous!

She emailed my career counsler( spell check? ). she said


" Overall he did great, came in well dressed, resume on hand, questions straight to the point,
was very polite, good sense of humor, spoke clear and maintained good eye contact and posture. Appeared very professional.

negatives, yes his questions were straight to the point, but that's just it, it would've helped to get a bit more detail on 4 questions.

again, Overall He did good. "

That same day, My career counsler and I filled out like 3 more applications to other places, the very same day, like 5 hours later I got a call from 99 resturant (spell check?) and had an interview made for today. I went to the interview, was a little more settled down, he asked me questions, i answered with a bit more detail, I then told him, " sorry never had a job before so I'm kinda nervous" he said " it's ok, just relax and answer as best you can" at the end, he said " alright I'm gonna talk to the manager and he will give you a call, you can relax now " and he let out a little smile

2 interviews... man never would I have thought I'd even get one

[deevergote]

Nice! What position are you going for at 99? If you can get in as a waiter, you'll make MUCH more than you would at CVS anyway. I was a waiter for 6 years. I put myself college (well, the first half... grandma's inheritance money covered the last half), and paid a mortgage for 3 years on the money I made. Always paid for school up front, cash... and I have never once missed a mortgage payment.

It's funny... they're really popular up there, but the one that opened down near me closed in a couple years. It didn't catch on at all (they also REALLY sucked... I got medium-rare "turkey tips"... gross. )

What questions was she referring to? She wanted detail in your questions, or she wanted detail in your answers to HER questions? If that's word for word what she wrote in her email, I think perhaps SHE could stand a bit more practice with her written communication!
Was that email a friendly way of saying "nice try, but we don't want you", or was it just feedback while they're considering your application?

[Turbo617]

Nice! What position are you going for at 99? If you can get in as a waiter, you'll make MUCH more than you would at CVS anyway. I was a waiter for 6 years. I put myself college (well, the first half... grandma's inheritance money covered the last half), and paid a mortgage for 3 years on the money I made. Always paid for school up front, cash... and I have never once missed a mortgage payment.

It's funny... they're really popular up there, but the one that opened down near me closed in a couple years. It didn't catch on at all (they also REALLY sucked... I got medium-rare "turkey tips"... gross. )

What questions was she referring to? She wanted detail in your questions, or she wanted detail in your answers to HER questions? If that's word for word what she wrote in her email, I think perhaps SHE could stand a bit more practice with her written communication!
Was that email a friendly way of saying "nice try, but we don't want you", or was it just feedback while they're considering your application?

99
i put dish washer, busser and host.. gotta start from the bottom and work your way up!:P, The guy said if I work hard, stay focused I CAN get promoted fast.

Is 99 a good place to work for?

He asked me " why do you want to work for 99?" I responded " I love working with people, working as a team, and I can definetly use the experience since I have none. And my friend who ate here said it seemed like a very good place to work in so here I am! " then he went on about about "since you got no expierence I can't start you off at manager, you may start off as a dish washer, then up to line cook, then up (etc etc etc) " I guess when he says dish washer, everyone runs.. but I stayed, looking him straight in the eyes.. and understanding that I need to work hard to improve myself.
_____________________
CVS

questions : what are your strengths?
answer : I love helping people

question: what is your weaknesses?
answer: I haven't encountered none yet

question: any question for me?
answer: none at the moment. (yes, I did ask her questions after she was done asking me questions )
question: what do you expect CVS to do for you?
answer: Train me

^^^^^^^^

And it's not a direct quote from the Email Hers looked waaaaaay more professional like she been doing it for ages. She sent that email to my career counsler, who when she left to go deny entry to my neighbor who arrived 15minutes late, I quickly read through the Email before she got back.

[deevergote]

Be sure not to say "haven't encountered none yet"... that's a double negative... essentially, saying you've encountered many weaknesses (and more importantly, it makes you sound uneducated.)

But yeah, I see what she means... brief answers to her questions. They're all valid answers, but answering at least in complete sentences would be best (if you did, then good... if that right there is exactly how you answered, then work on it for next time.)

I worked at Bennigan's (all corporate stores are now gone, thanks to TERRIBLE corporate management.. ) I went in with minimal pizza delivery experience, and got a job as a waiter. I was never a host, busser, or dishwasher (well... I was all those things at times, but only because the people that actually held those positions sucked!)
Corporate restaurants suck balls. Restaurant work is hard, thankless, and irritating. After some time there, I stopped talking to the new people until they were there for 2 weeks... it's like war. Don't get attached to the newbies, because they'll probably be gone in under 2 weeks!
If you can, push for the front of the house. Waiter, and eventually bartender. That's where the money is. The cooks do pretty well, and it's consistent pay (waiters and bartenders get $2.13/hr plus tips... and you NEVER see that $2.13... it all goes to taxes. Paychecks say "void".) That means you'll want to start as a host or busser (hosts tend to be promoted to servers faster than bussers... busser and dishwasher are jobs for illegal immigrants... )

One thing you'll learn about restaurant work is that it becomes your life. The hours are crazy, and everyone in the business works them... so suddenly your best friends end up being your coworkers. They're the ones you see the most, the ones you hang out with the most, and the ones you end up knowing the most about. I still to this day have good friends that I met as a waiter (I'm going to see one of them open up for Gilbert Gottfried this saturday, in fact.) You get SO close to the people you work with in a restaurant. It really is like war. The funny thing is, once someone leaves, they are very quickly forgotten.

Watch the movie "Waiting". It's so incredibly close to real life it's scary. They didn't make that shit up. That movie could very well be a documentary! Everything from the friendships, the fights, the crazy coworkers, the bitchy customers, the angry cooks, the insecure manager, the hot underage hostess , and the parties after work... all spot on. Hell, the very first line of the movie is "I'm gonna stick my balls in the mashed potatoes!" is something that my buddy Scott used to say all the time... a year before the movie even came out! If you want to know what it's like... that movie is it. (of course, that was filmed in a Bennigan's, back when I worked for the company... so it was pretty damn hilarious!)