I arrived to the interview on time, and for some odd reason, was really happy to be there.
The people in personnel were very nice and genuine. I appreciated that. The woman I spoke with sat me down and started her spiel. "What job are you interested in again?" Didn't we already go through this? READ my application. I told her that I was mainly interested in a cashier position. It seemed to be the busiest job in the store, and I need a busy job. I guess a lot of people that work don't actually like to work. I do, and most of the dissatisfaction I have with previous jobs has been when there was nothing to do. I'm not into physical labor, and having had MS for the past 15 years, I probably wouldn't do well with physical labor. I admire those who can/do.
When I agreed that it "sounded" like something I would enjoy, we proceeded to the interview portion. "There is only one question." Uh-oh. "Describe a time when you went above and beyond to provide excellent customer service." "Hmmmm. Let me think. There have been so many times. Do you mean excellent customer service according to me? Or according to the customer? You know darn well that no matter how far you go for people, some people are never satisfied. I went on to explain -with much detail - a time when I had provided excellent customer service.
Evidently, my answer was satisfactory - or - they were really desperate for employees - because I was offered the job. When I agreed, the paperwork process began. They said they would have to do a background check (no drug test), and that they would let me know. Two hours later they called back, and said I had passed the background check (duh), and wanted me to come in for orientation.
I went in for the first part of orientation. This consisted of more paperwork only. I was given a temporary schedule, pay rate, a locker, log in information for their CBL's (computer-based learning) and for the register. I was asked to come back later in the week for part 2 of orientation, which is supposed to last 9 hours. That 9 hours is supposed to include two breaks and a lunch. Although based on what I have read online from others, I cannot see how orientation could possibly take that much time, especially since there isn't any job training involved. They never said what to bring or what to wear, and I didn't ask. Today I'll call and see what's what, and make sure that they really expect me to sit there for 9 hours.
This last visit to Walmart was weird. The personnel office had several people. None of the people I met the first time even said "hello". Another future employee was completing paperwork, so they sat me at a large table to wait. Sitting directly across from me was the store manager. He never looked at me or said a word.
Happy to have a little extra income, I'm unsure as to what to expect in the coming days/weeks. I've read some hilarious stuff online from current/past Walmart employees... I hope that whatever I experience is as much fun. :-)
Edit - I did call Walmart to find out what to wear to orientation. Some people have said you should wear what you will wear to work, since you'll probably be training out on the floor. But personnel said that I don't have to wear anything special for the first day. I'm thinkin that a Walmart Sucks t-shirt might not go over too well, but...
OH- on the top of my temp schedule they wrote "part-time". No. I applied for full-time. I asked about that. Personnel said that for the first 90 days, everyone is considered part-time, and after 90 days, you will be offered full-time. How can I be sure? 90 days is just enough time for me to help you through the holiday season, and then you could say good-bye. I am scheduled to work full-time, so why am I not considered full-time?
Thursday, October 13, 2016
introduction
I will be starting a new job at Walmart shortly, and thought I might keep an online journal of what could be a fun-filled, action-packed adventure. Or not. I am not good at maintaining blogs. I have started several in the past, and after a week or two of setting up the blog, adding my favorite photos, and diligently adding entries several times a day, I simply abandoned the blogs. And the way you set up blogs and enter info. changes constantly. I'm not even sure that I know how to blog these days.
After several years working in a business-related field, I decided to return to school for further education, and specialize in one particular area. I thought that with a 3.9 GPA and my expeirence, I would probably have a job within a week after graduation. That was not the case.
After sending out resume after resume and going on interview after interview without any luck in landing a job, I decided to look for any old job, until the right one came along. I sat down one Sunday evening and applied online at every fast-food restaurant and big box store in the area. I thought maybe I would get at least one call. Maybe two.
Monday morning the phone rang. It was Pizza Hut, asking me to come in for an interview. The phone rang again. It was one of our local McDonald's. The phone rang again, and again, and again. Since I have no experience with any of the jobs I applied for (other than customer experience), it appears that these business establishments were as desperate to fill these minimum-wage jobs as I was to find a job.
Walmart called. I ignored them. They called again. I ignored them. They called a 3rd time. I decided to call them back, just to tell them to quit bothering me. I was annoyed by their lengthy online application, the 65 (?) "psychological questions" they asked as part of the application process, and the fact that they required so much for a job that offered so little in return.
They asked if I was still interested in a position. "Yes." "What position did you apply for again?" Seriously? "Um, I think cashier or customer service." "Oh. Okay. Well are you still interested?" "Most definitely." I lied. "Great! We would like to schedule you for an interview...."
One of the calls from Walmart was from their assistant manager, who I immediately developed a strong dislike for... just because of his Facebook page. He seemed nice enough when he left a message, but when I called him back on the number he left (his cell phone), he seemed annoyed because I had actually called. He was too busy to talk. He promised to call back, but never did. When I set up the interview with personnel, I decided I might give the guy a second chance. But when he passed me in the store while I was headed to personnel, he never even acknowledged me. It doesn't matter that he didn't know who I was. Walmart supposedly has their "10 Foot Rule", which is when any associate comes within 10 ft. of a customer, you're supposed to make eye contact, smile, and say hello. He virtually ignored me. I can understand that, since I have a general dislike for people. I don't talk to them unless it's to insult, and my middle finger often gets tired from "acknowledging" people while driving down the road. But, the 10 Foot Rule is a requirement of the job, so clearly he was in the wrong.
I did get called for an interview. More on that momentarily....
After several years working in a business-related field, I decided to return to school for further education, and specialize in one particular area. I thought that with a 3.9 GPA and my expeirence, I would probably have a job within a week after graduation. That was not the case.
After sending out resume after resume and going on interview after interview without any luck in landing a job, I decided to look for any old job, until the right one came along. I sat down one Sunday evening and applied online at every fast-food restaurant and big box store in the area. I thought maybe I would get at least one call. Maybe two.
Monday morning the phone rang. It was Pizza Hut, asking me to come in for an interview. The phone rang again. It was one of our local McDonald's. The phone rang again, and again, and again. Since I have no experience with any of the jobs I applied for (other than customer experience), it appears that these business establishments were as desperate to fill these minimum-wage jobs as I was to find a job.
Walmart called. I ignored them. They called again. I ignored them. They called a 3rd time. I decided to call them back, just to tell them to quit bothering me. I was annoyed by their lengthy online application, the 65 (?) "psychological questions" they asked as part of the application process, and the fact that they required so much for a job that offered so little in return.
They asked if I was still interested in a position. "Yes." "What position did you apply for again?" Seriously? "Um, I think cashier or customer service." "Oh. Okay. Well are you still interested?" "Most definitely." I lied. "Great! We would like to schedule you for an interview...."
One of the calls from Walmart was from their assistant manager, who I immediately developed a strong dislike for... just because of his Facebook page. He seemed nice enough when he left a message, but when I called him back on the number he left (his cell phone), he seemed annoyed because I had actually called. He was too busy to talk. He promised to call back, but never did. When I set up the interview with personnel, I decided I might give the guy a second chance. But when he passed me in the store while I was headed to personnel, he never even acknowledged me. It doesn't matter that he didn't know who I was. Walmart supposedly has their "10 Foot Rule", which is when any associate comes within 10 ft. of a customer, you're supposed to make eye contact, smile, and say hello. He virtually ignored me. I can understand that, since I have a general dislike for people. I don't talk to them unless it's to insult, and my middle finger often gets tired from "acknowledging" people while driving down the road. But, the 10 Foot Rule is a requirement of the job, so clearly he was in the wrong.
I did get called for an interview. More on that momentarily....
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