I have a group interview tomorrow for one of the NYC stores and I’m nervous!!
I know that looks are important, but experience is probably at least somewhat important. this would be my first “job”.
i just started working two weeks ago, i found them on craigslist, but they were just temporary gigs, not actual jobs. one was a marketing rep for 2 days and i had to give out cards to people that i thought could use the service and chat it up(NOT just shoving flyers in peoples faces).
and the other one was 1 day and my title was “promotional model” but i really just sold branded things from the giftshop and talked to people about the brand.
is that experience good enough? i really learned a lot and my supervisors were very happy with my work energy and willing to be references. or would abercrombie(and i’m also considering charlotte russe and wetseal) want long-term exp.?
thanks!
ALSO, i got paid $15/hr for those jobs. will that hurt my chances– will they think that i won’t work hard if im being paid minimum wage?
March 29, 2010 at 1:41 am
3 entire days of work is a start. Abercrombie will most likely hire you if your friendly, motivated, and some what attractive. When you get interviewed make sure you show your dedication to the job, if they are impressed by you, the previous short but very well paying jobs wont be of interest to them. UNLESS you were fired from the other jobs. Good Luck!
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March 29, 2010 at 2:18 am
No, being paid more for a previous job actually speaks well for you, it tells the employer that you obviously had something to offer to those companies to get paid so much. I think you have a good chance, especially (I’m assuming) since you’re a teenager, based on what you said about this being your “first job”. Most people working in retail clothing stores are in your age range.
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March 29, 2010 at 2:20 am
I spent years working retail and was a former manager for Wet Seal. You simply want to interview well, be polite & outgoing, dress to impress and talk about the abilities you have. Abercrombie could care less if you can sell, you are there to look cute in the clothes…they sell themselves. Wet Seal & Charlotte Russe are going to want you to sell. Talk about things like “TBLA” Top, Bottom, Layer & Accessory…that is the goal for each sale. You are at the store to sell, not just unlock the fitting room door. Make sure that you are prepared to talk about what you would do if you saw someone shoplift or preventing shrink. THE NUMBER 1 WAY TO PREVENT THEFT IS THROUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! Your job is to sell but be prepared to put away clothes, unpack shipment, fold, clean and greet every customer that walks in the door.
You are way more nervous then you need to be. These jr clothing stores realize that they are not going to get someone w/ years of experience. Personally, I didn’t hire people w/ years of experience to be sales reps… I preferred to train them myself. Be friendly and outgoing….you’ll do just fine! Good luck
Temp jobs, such as the ones you had, tend to pay more to get people to do them. Most employers understand that and I can’t image you being penalized or looked at poorly for that. They are not going to match that pay but if they question why it was so high, simply tell them that it was some type of “marketing research” that you were hired to do and it was a one time deal. Btw, Wet Seal does and can pay more than min. wage- you just need to ask for it and/or negotiate.
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March 29, 2010 at 2:21 am
Abercrombie is notoriously a tough place to get a job, and they have been known to be pretty superficial. Given that, if you have the “look” that is the first step.
And it being a group interview, you have to make sure your voice gets heard. So don’t be shy! (BTW, my book, Killer Interview Secrets, talks exactly about how to do well in group interviews. The link to it is at the bottom of the post.)
Now about your experience. Your previous experience might be a little on the thin side, but it’s all about how you spin it. Because you are going into retail, you can totally use your promotional model gig in the interview.
Talk about how you were actually a “salesperson” and go into detail on how you interacted with customers. Because this is exactly what you are going to do at A&F. Remember to be specific when you give examples. That’s the only way you are going to convince the interviewer that you are qualified.
Hope this helps!
-Robert
p.s. If you want to know more about how to interview well, you can check out my book at http://www.KillerInterviewSecrets.com. It goes into more detail on the proper way to answer interview questions and convince the interviewer that you should be hired. I’ve gotten great reviews about it!
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March 29, 2010 at 2:43 am
hi, i use to work for abercrombie and in my experience, it’s really more of an entry level job (i was a model/brand rep). in other words, they understand that for a lot of people applying it is going to be either one of their first, if not their first job. therefore, the fact that you have any experience at all (esp. since its in a related area) will def be beneficial for you.
also, i know there’s this whole stigma that you have to be good looking or something to work there, but its really not entirely true. But, that being said, you should still look presentable on the day of your interview and if you get hired, whenever you have to show up to work. Oh, and by the way, you do not have to dress professionally for your group interview, because I know when I had mine there was only one girl there dressed up like that and she really seemed out of place. just dress either in abercrombie clothes or something that looks like its from their stores, be yourself, be confident and prepared, and you should do great! good luck
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March 29, 2010 at 2:59 am
I don’t think the fact that you’ve only had temp jobs will play against you, if so they wouldn’t have even called you for an interview. The most important thing I can tell you about going to a group interview is to try to get noticed as much as possible….I guess talk as much as possible and try to be the center of attention. It seems that’s the main thing they are looking for in group interviews, who makes them self the center of attention….
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