what to say in retail job interviews...?

poozers

basically, im a volunteer at the moment, im going back to college to persue what i really want to do in september and i want to get a part time job.

basically, when i get interviews ("when" being optimistic), i know they will ask me what my goals and aspirations are with the company, and my career plans.
my honest answer is I want to use my degree when i get it to have a career in the field im interested in and to be in a job where i am fulfilled.

i worked in a crappy retail job long enough to know that retail is NOT a "field im interested in". Basically, I want and need money !!! i do not want to someday hope to become a manager and work my way up to the top, i'll only be part time, ill come in and do the job the best i can, but as soon as im out the door on my way home, i have no interest whatsoever.

i haven't done an interview in 6 years (i was in the last retail job for that long), so Im totally out of practice with interviews.

what is the best thing to say when asked that question? obviously i know not to say my honest thoughts, but is it just the best to just go along with it and say "oh id love to someday become a manager" or is there something you can say in between?

christmas2012

you dont have to give hint of what your final goals are as they could judge you on this ,and it could make or break you,for example if you said you had no ambition to stay with them when they are looking for something permanent youre in trouble there..

dont give youre game away no matter how much they question you,have a little mystery to yourself makes you more attractive apparently.. :pac:

poozers

what do you say, tho, to make yourself more mysterious without saying outright "i dont know for sure yet"? how do you worm out of the question?

RHarrow

Hi poozers,

If you're applying for part time jobs in retail they'll rarely ask about your aspirations within the company. They'll reserve that question for their full time employees.

Just make sure that they're aware you're going to be in college and they won't ask the "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" type questions.

speedboatchase

It sounds a bit cheesy but if you can phrase it right and with full conviction, I find that it works to tell the interviewer (if they're a manager, not in HR), that in a few years time you want to be sat where they are, interviewing prospective employees. Say that you want to learn every stage of the process at the company and work your way up from there.

It may not be the truth whatsoever but it shows ambition and flatters the interviewer's ego. Remember, the most important thing above all else is that you get the job, so show full commitment and in a memorable way, as I mentioned above.

Mrs OBumble

You can also talk about how much you hate receiving bad customer service, and how it motivates you personally to make sure you're always giving fantastic service, and helping team members to do the same.

No need to mention what industry you want to be giving that service in, in a few years time.

poozers

speedboatchase wrote: »

tell the interviewer (if they're a manager, not in HR), that in a few years time you want to be sat where they are, interviewing prospective employees. Say that you want to learn every stage of the process at the company and work your way up from there.

lol, that is pretty cheesey. but it sounds pretty good alright. i know it would flatter them from a business point of view, but does it really on a more personal level? like, if it were me interviewing and someone said that to me, i would think "who is this lickarse?!" lol. thats just me tho, ive worked in retail long enough to have very bitter memories of it. lol.
but is that something to say tho if its just a weekend job and im training in college for something completely different?? i couldnt imagine being a manager in retail... !!

@RHarrow, i'd say most will ask that question, its kind of a standard one. i remember they asked me it when i had my interview for my last job (which was part time when i started). that was 6 years ago so things could have changed. oh id definitely tell them about college. its really my priority at this point.