I applied online. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at Talbots (Sacramento, CA)
Interview
This process was so easy! I sent in my resume on indeed.com because my local Talbots (not in a mall) was hiring for a client specialist and a key holder. She called me the next morning and asked if I could come in for an interview, we planned my interview for the next day! I showed up and she took me to her office, we sat down and I've had three years in retail in many different stores. She knew my skills, so she just asked about my experience about all my previous stores, I even made her laugh a couple times, it honestly felt like two friends talking. Her assistant also listened in, she loved me right away because I could communicate with her in Spanish. They then told me about the history of Talbots, how the store is one of the top luxurious retail stores for women, I'm not surprised considering how expensive everything is. So then they agreed to hire me, because they felt like I was the perfect fit for the team. However, I couldn't be a key holder or specialist right away, I could only be hired as an associate and as the weeks went by I would need to prove myself I deserved one of those positions. So in the end I interviewed for a key holder, but the first month I'll be a sales so the manager will decide what position I'm best at. Either way I'm excited! I'll do my best to get the specialist or key holder, she also offered me 13 an hour which is a huge dramatic change from previous retail! It seems like a wonderful company, can't wait.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What are your strongest and weakest points when it comes to customer service?
I applied online. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Talbots (Austin, TX) in May 2019
Interview
Very professional from start of application to offer. Prompt response to online application as well as scheduling interview. Job responsibilities/expectations were clear from beginning. References will be checked via survey.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe how you would handle an unhappy customer?
I applied through other source. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Talbots
Interview
I've recently had a career change (I've worked full time in luxury retail) into real estate. I walked into Talbot's to see if they needed part time help. I had a great impromptu interview with the manager. We discussed salary right away. I told her what I had previously made (previously it was a full time management position), and that I was open to negotiation. The manager said that although she couldn't say anything yet, I was at the top of the pay scale for this job that I was applying for, where as her previous employee for this job was at the low end of the budget for the job. She would research and get back with me but she sounded like she could meet me kind of close to my previous salary. I had 2 other interviews. One was with a different store's manager. I received a phone call from the first manager saying they wanted to go ahead and set up an interview with the district manager. Then I get a phone call the next morning from the original manager asking for clarification on what my expectations were salary wise. I referenced our original conversation and that I was open for negotiation. She asked me for a firm number, I gave her a ballpark of $1.25 to $2.25 less than what I was making in my previous job. She then told me that the TOP of what the budget for the position was $4.25 less than what I was previously making. I was disappointed. She then asked if I would be interested in full time with them or perhaps a different location. I politely declined. I told her the lowest I could go with salary. She declined.
The ladies were absolutely lovely. But I was quite taken aback at the offer made especially after the first conversation we had had, which sounded like they were going to be competitive with my previous wage. $4.25 less is not competitive, especially considering what this position is. It's a clienteling lead, meaning the biggest responsibility is bringing in more money for them! Also the job is a key holding position. It's management position!
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a time where you had to meet a deadline and had a lot to accomplish. What did you do in that situation?