Odds and Ends

[coalescent]

I had a job interview this morning. Nothing exciting, mind - it was only for a position at Hammick's. Which, for those of you who don't know, is a bookshop. The branch in Maidenhead is expanding; they need staff, I need money, I read books - it seemed perfect.

It wasn't a terribly painful interview, either. Seemed to get along quite well with the manager, and everything; but I think whether or not I get the job will depend on how many other applicants there are. I made the mistake of being honest, and pointing out that I wasn't really viewing this as a long-term position. Basically, I said that I'd happily work full-time up until the end of the christmas/new year rush, but that after that I don't know how long I'll be around. So I'm assuming that if they get I bunch of other applicants who say "Yes! I'd love to work for Hammicks for the rest of my life!", I won't have much of a shot.

On the other hand, I think that's fairer all around than saying whatever I think is most likely to get me the job, And I managed to dazzle him with my knowledge of UK SF publishing, so there's hope. And I'm sure bookshops always need staff who can reach the stock on the top shelves.

Meanwhile: The products of the crazy caption comics cluedunnit have been webbified. I was involved in The Dagger Was Made Of Cheap Steel; see if you can guess which character I modelled for...

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

well, i hope you get it if you want it.

for what it's worth, i don't think that being honest about what you want from this job (money to live on in the short-term without too much hassle) was a mistake. it sounds like the kind of job no-one's going to want to do for the rest of their life, and i think it would be quite obvious that you, with your degree and all, aren't going to be doing this forever, no matter what lies you might have told them. you'll do just as good a job no matter what your intentions are, so why should it matter. i suppose it just depends on whether they can afford to train you just to have you working for them for 5 months or so. but then, you'd worked that out already, i'm sure. at least if you do get this job you won't have to worry about not blowing your cover - although that would make your life more like a bad spy film, which might be no bad thing.

anyway, so i'm sure you dazzled them with your charm and erudite wit.

Shop Jobs

[(Anonymous)]

Are generally pretty good deals. Depending on the store you get a decent discount (I got 25% when I worked at WHSmiths) and if you are in a book or record shop you get to talk to people about something you are really interested (well, me anyway). I've worked in Our Price (in a year out) and the Ents counter of WHS (Sundays when I was doing three PT jobs and a PT post-grad) and while the money ain't great it is a pretty easy life.....

Hope you get it.......

Stewart (http://www.foxbasealpha.co.uk/wibblings/journal.shtml)

Re: Shop Jobs

[brassyn.livejournal.com]

stewart: i still work for virgin....

niall, bad move to tell them that you wouldn't be there forever. you need to learn to diplomatically lie!
still, good luck. you have a good shot.

and i like this:
And I'm sure bookshops always need staff who can reach the stock on the top shelves

:rollin

ezcode.

Optimal amount of honesty

[gagravarr.livejournal.com]

You need to find the optimal amount of honesty. Not sure if you did or not. Saying you won't work there for ever is a good thing - they'd smell a rat if someone with your qualifications said they wanted to. Saying you want to stay for a bit is good, but you need to say the right amount of time (hard to gague).

Dropping hints that you haven't rulled out the posibility of going down a management route with them is often a good thing with that sort of place.

Anyway, hopefully you displayed the correct amount of honesty vs not stiching yourself up, and all will be good.

Re: Shop Jobs

[(Anonymous)]

Virgin always seemed a little too full of bored teenagers to me. Unless you are in a *big* store and on a speciality department I guess it would be a bit dull. But hey - cheap CDs! When I worked for Our Price it was *very* customer orientated, always trying to figure out what people want from vague lyrics or hummed tunes.

Stewart (http://www.foxbasealpha.co.uk/wibblings/journal.shtml)