The joys of the job hunt...

[brendala]

I had an interview at Abercrombie&Fitch a little while ago. I knew I was probably wasting my time by going in for it since I don't have "the look" that everyone who works and shops there does (even my younger sisters told me to save my time and decline the interview). But in this market you can't really say no to an interview, so I went anyway.

I dolled myself up as best I could. But I have no idea what's "trendy" these days and my sense of style is pretty....unique compared to most people my age. When I got in the store, I noticed that my competetion consisted entirely of 18-year-olds who all looked like they stepped out of an Abercrombie catalogue. It was then that I realized I probably wasn't getting the job; but I stuck around anyway.

The manager did a group interview to save time. She went around in a circle asking us questions about work experience, our views on workplace diversity (I'm serious!), and what we think of when we think "Abercrombie&Fitch". It was kinda weird actually.


Shallow fashion rant: The manager told us that the Abercrombie uniform changes with the fashion seasons and the employees have to buy said uniforms themselves (which aren't cheap)! The current uniform is a tight plaid shirt and skinny jeans. This uniform is only flattering on people who are built like coat racks! And part of me is glad I won't get hired because I don't think I could squeeze my rear into those things.

Comments

[ichiban-victory.livejournal.com]

This is why I haven't even tried applying at clothing stores. A friend used to work at one and they were required to constantly buy new outfits to stay 'trendy'. It seemed ridiculous to me to spend so much money like that! The fashion industry can go leap off a bridge for all I care.

Can't say I'm really fond of group interviews. Job hunting seems to be becoming more and more impersonal as time goes on.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

I have friends who work in clothing stores, too. They tell me that it sucks (and not just because of the uniform thing).

Here's another reason to avoid trendy clothing stores: when I went in for the interview, the LOUD techno pop music nearly drove me insane! The manager actually had to shout the questions at us in order to be heard! O_o

[bonemarch.livejournal.com]

Yeah I'm so not in it with fashion now a-days. (As you can see by my delightful fall/winter bowler cap.) Though while I do like to find nice stuff there's no way I'm dropping 100 bucks on a pair of jeans.

Plus they are styles built around being unhealthily skinny. Seriously I don't know how anyone could find the skeleton look appealing?

[brendala.livejournal.com]

Hey, that cap is awesome!

The woman who interviewed my group was actually a really pretty, curvy Hispanic woman (how she got hired at Abercrombie, I'll never know). But the uniform made her look terrible. She looked like she had raided a child's closet because everything looked a few sizes too small on her. It was kinda distracting, to tell you the truth. :P

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

This is hilarious and depressing at the same time.

I tried applying to clothing stores myself. It lead to the shortest interview I ever had.

me - "Hi!"
Employer - *stares at shirt* "Yeah, we'll call you."

[brendala.livejournal.com]

OK, now I have to ask...what was on the shirt?

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

...A kabuki mask.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

A kabuki mask isn't that weird. The Employer must have been a real snob or something.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Heh. Who knows? I don't think I would have been good at it anyways.

[hannahsarah.livejournal.com]

Sounds like retail hell - you dodged a bullet if you ask me. I'd rather work at Lane Bryant or Macy's.