I need advice by 10 am EST (Greenwich -5) today

[Biff_Loman]

I'm going for a second interview at Rona, a Canadian "big box" hardware store. This is completely small time, but I've only had one real job and, at 25, one job interview my whole life. I always worked on the farm/in construction.

Any advice? I'm reading online, but many of the sites have to do with white-collar professionals. They don't seem to strictly apply.

[Hustler]

I'm going for a second interview at Rona, a Canadian "big box" hardware store. This is completely small time, but I've only had one real job and, at 25, one job interview my whole life. I always worked on the farm/in construction.

Any advice? I'm reading online, but many of the sites have to do with white-collar professionals. They don't seem to strictly apply.

Tell em about how you can make a smooth ceiling. That'll win them over for sure.

[Edmond Zedo]

I'm going for a second interview at Rona, a Canadian "big box" hardware store. This is completely small time, but I've only had one real job and, at 25, one job interview my whole life. I always worked on the farm/in construction.
That's too easy. Just seem interested in the job, have a good attitude, and act like you have a good work ethic. Dress well, but not Wall St.

[Tonks]

Be enthusiastic about the job, and tell them why you want to work there and what you like about the type of work (if you don't know, make something up).
Enthusiasm often gets you further than skills or qualifications per se.

[Conan]

Forget the formalities and have a conversation. About tools.

[mgb]

I'm going for a second interview at Rona, a Canadian "big box" hardware store. This is completely small time, but I've only had one real job and, at 25, one job interview my whole life. I always worked on the farm/in construction.

Any advice? I'm reading online, but many of the sites have to do with white-collar professionals. They don't seem to strictly apply.

Don't dress up too much. I'd say polo shirt and khakis is more than enough. They won't be wearing more than that.

They'll probably ask you a series of retarded questions like, "What's your most negative quality." I'd be surprised if they weren't reading it off a list too, or at least seeming like they are. Just anticipate that and have your answers ready, not too ready, pause for a second and seem like you are really thinking about it, then answer. And don't tell them you are kleptomaniac or anything (just kidding).

You'll either be meeting with someone who is construction oriented, or some annoying SJ (not that all SJs are annoying, but the manager of a Rona will be) who knows more about management than construction. Be prepared to deal with either. If you get the construction guy, talk about drills. If you get the SJ, talk about how proficient and efficient you are and what good work ethic you have.

Good luck.

edit: oops, too late.

[Superstring]

I'm going for a second interview at Rona, a Canadian "big box" hardware store. This is completely small time, but I've only had one real job and, at 25, one job interview my whole life. I always worked on the farm/in construction.

Any advice? I'm reading online, but many of the sites have to do with white-collar professionals. They don't seem to strictly apply.

Downplay your hard-working ethics; no one likes an eager beaver. Try and sound as smart as possible by asking questions about Rona's stock value and upper management shuffles, using as much business lingo as possible. Impress them by telling them you use calculus to determine the most efficient way to stock shelves; even if this isn't true, they'll see you've got the intelligence that it takes to be a team player. Drink 5 coffees beforehand so you've got that edgy demanour employers look for. Whenever they ask you a question, stare off into space really intensly and wait a while before you answer, so they can really see your hard thinking in action.

[Biff_Loman]

Downplay your hard-working ethics; no one likes an eager beaver. Try and sound as smart as possible by asking questions about Rona's stock value and upper management shuffles, using as much business lingo as possible. Impress them by telling them you use calculus to determine the most efficient way to stock shelves; even if this isn't true, they'll see you've got the intelligence that it takes to be a team player. Drink 5 coffees beforehand so you've got that edgy demanour employers look for. Whenever they ask you a question, stare off into space really intensly and wait a while before you answer, so they can really see your hard thinking in action.

No.

[Biff_Loman]

Don't dress up too much. I'd say polo shirt and khakis is more than enough. They won't be wearing more than that.

They'll probably ask you a series of retarded questions like, "What's your most negative quality." I'd be surprised if they weren't reading it off a list too, or at least seeming like they are. Just anticipate that and have your answers ready, not too ready, pause for a second and seem like you are really thinking about it, then answer. And don't tell them you are kleptomaniac or anything (just kidding).

You'll either be meeting with someone who is construction oriented, or some annoying SJ (not that all SJs are annoying, but the manager of a Rona will be) who knows more about management than construction. Be prepared to deal with either. If you get the construction guy, talk about drills. If you get the SJ, talk about how proficient and efficient you are and what good work ethic you have.

Good luck.

edit: oops, too late.


Yes.

[Biff_Loman]

It went OK. Things unfolded much the way Mgbradsh described. There were two managers, and the one rattled through a bunch of questions off a sheet while the other took notes.

I don't think I screwed up on any of them. We got talking about basement waterproofing for a while - off-topic discussion seems like a good sign to me. Why would they waste their time?

I really hope I get this job. It seems weird to be so pumped about a low-level position, but I just want to get a paycheck and have some cash coming in without an extensive job search. This is the first position to which I applied, and the effort/pay-off ratio is very good.

[Superstring]

I don't think I screwed up on any of them. We got talking about basement waterproofing for a while - off-topic discussion seems like a good sign to me. Why would they waste their time?

They were analy probing your soul Biff, haven't you ever seen Star Trek?

[In...TP]

Business was very slow in the general store.

The boss has a word with his sales assistant.
'Things have got to improve' says the boss
'We need more sales'
'How are we going to do that' says the assistant.

'Well I'll show you when the next customer comes in' says the boss.

Shortly a man comes into the shop.
'Good morning sir, what can I do for you today'
'I would like a packet of grass seeds' says the customer.

'Very good sir, and how is your lawn mower?
'Why' says the customer.
'Well sir this grass seed has the very latest technology. It is super fast growing, and I was wondering if your lawnmower would be able to cope'
'Let me show you our latest, reasonably priced lawn mowers'.

The man leaves shortly after with a new lawnmower and a packet of grass seeds.

'There you are' said the boss to the assistant, That's the way it's done, and I want you to learn to sell like that'.

Shortly after a man comes into the shop looking very self conscious.
'Good morning sir, what can I get you today?' says the assistant.
The man leans across the counter and says quietly, 'A packet of Tampex please'.

'There you are, one packet of Tampex' said the assistant.
'Now what about a new lawnmower'
The man gets annoyed, 'Why do I need a damned lawnmower?
'Well sir' says the assistant, 'It looks like your weekend is messed up, you might as well go out and cut the grass'.

[Ferrus]

Downplay your hard-working ethics; no one likes an eager beaver. Try and sound as smart as possible by asking questions about Rona's stock value and upper management shuffles, using as much business lingo as possible. Impress them by telling them you use calculus to determine the most efficient way to stock shelves; even if this isn't true, they'll see you've got the intelligence that it takes to be a team player. Drink 5 coffees beforehand so you've got that edgy demanour employers look for. Whenever they ask you a question, stare off into space really intensly and wait a while before you answer, so they can really see your hard thinking in action.
You forgot one thing, you need to stick up a big sign saying "fucktard" too.