Interview At Lfs Tomorrow

[donny7]

Petco, to be exact, for those of you in the states (dunno if they're based out in the UK)

Kinda nervous, kinda excited, mostly curious. I've heard they treat their animals bad. I will strictly be in aquatics because they quote "lack knowledgeable employees and need an aquatics person to prevent customers from disturbing other employees"

I'm not the end all be all of knowledge, but I'd bet my last dollar I know more than most LFS employees just by reading this forum.

Wish me luck ! If I get the job I promise to try and optimize the fish care

 

[interpet123]

Good luck!!!! I'm sure you'll get the job. They need you!

 

[micko]

Best of luck with the job

 

[fishnovice]

Best of luck with the job

Best of luck. Hope you get the job for your sake and the fish! Keep us updated

 

[mattbleasby]

Good luck with the job. Keep us posted. Im sure you will make it alot better for both fish & Customer

 

[donny7]

Thanks everybody! Any tips/pointers? I'm bringing in a resume, an article I have published on a website about filter media, and dressing business casual. My only problem is I have a criminal record, just misdemeanors, application asked for felonies.

Don't ask don't tell?

I also hate the fact that the 4 jobs I have, I have resigned, because I relocated a lot. How can I professionally explain that without looking like I'm a flake?

I figure I won't go in there spouting too much mumbo jumbo, chances are the hiring manager isn't the most educated on aquatics. Or perhaps my knowledge will impress him?

 

[This Old Spouse]

Just try to relax and be as truthful as possible. I've seen good Petcos and bad ones, but none that couldn't use some improvement! They'll be lucky to get you and so will the customers. Best of luck, and please let us know how it all comes out!

 

[Randi]

Good luck. I've done some hiring for a large chain store so here is my advice: dress nice (seems like you've got that covered) - show some knowledge but do not act like you know everything, you want to show that you will be responsive to training - do not mention anything negative that is not specifically on the application - if you left past jobs because you moved and everything else was fine, tell the person interviewing you that you would be happy to have them call past bosses for a reference (they probably won't call, but it looks good to say this) - be personable, these people will have to work with you every day so they want someone who is nice to be around - be prepared for trick questions like "What would you say is your worst quality?" (the best answer I ever heard to this was "I can sometimes be a perfectionist which means projects take more time. If you see me doing this just tell me to speed up and I will.") - HAVE A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE this is often the factor that determines who gets the job. With me, as soon as person said they didn't want to work weekends the interview was basically over.
My local Petco has an excellent aquatics department, based primarily one one employee. He is very helpful and the tanks are always clean and well kept. I've started going there instead of a locally owned fish store because of Johnathan (who was the first person to ever mention cycling to me). Hopefully you can be that person to some other newbie.

Also, if you work at Petco you can let us all know when they have their $1 per gallon tank sale!

 

[marieukxx]

Good luck

 

[james_fish]

Remember with the job, you may have to go against things you read on this forum or believe in order to keep your employer happy with you as an employee. Fishkeeping is a huge money making oppurtunity, common sense and general rules of thumb will go out the window (as with most if not all LFS's) but other than that, good luck and I hope you get the job

James.

 

[sted]

How you get on?

 

[donny7]

It's in an hour. I'll update when I get home, also going to a locally owned LFS for some nice driftwood and an angelfish

 

[marieukxx]

Good luck again I'm sure you'll get it

 

[mattbleasby]

So how did you get on? : Hope it went well mate.

 

[donny7]

Sso the interview went well i think. i was asked to come back monday and do a demonstration on how to setup a freshwater tank and explain the process of the nitrogen cycle. he told me if i was hired i would be the aquatic specialist manager, training new employees and such. he also told me i would be the 3rd most important member in the store.

Needless to say I'm excited!