So I have been working for the same company, a cell phone company, for three years now. While its not where I saw myself after college it was a good company that pays decent compared to the rest of the industry, About a year ago we got a new store manager who flipped everyone on their heads and made everyones lives miserable….HR has been called about things by many different employees (nothing has been done) and there isn’t a day when one of my co workers, or myself are just SO miserable we talk about quitting, finding something else and moving on. This manager will tell you one thing, yell at your for doing it the way she asked and then talk about your compentency in your position saying things like “Maybe this isn’t the job for you” “Maybe your not capable of doing what is required to remain here.” You are constantly between a rock and a hard place here…its horrible. The company is big on the “work/life balance” and I they offer tuition assistance so I am taking advantage of that. I was told there was no issue to have school one night a week in the evening but apparently it has become a problem and I “ask too much” for scheduling and I am not allowed to request any other days off during the month because i’ve already asking for mondays off for school. So I have been looking for something else for about 6 months now. I have had several interviews that haven’t led anywhere and I started to get discouraged.
Last week I went on an interview for a sales consultant position at a local bridal store. I enjoy the show “Say yes to the dress” and figured if I could sell cell phones I can sell dresses. So I go in for this group interview and it was fantastic, I feel like I answered all their questions perfectly and they seemed amazed by my answers. I have been in sales/customer service my whole work life about 13 years so I figured i’d be a shoe in for the consultant position. At the end of the interview they ask everyone “Who needs full time only, full or part time, or just part time?” I said I needed full and the HR lady said “Aw, you’re breaking my heart!” And a few days later I got the email saying they are only looking for part time positions but at the end of the email asked if I had any management experience. And it just so happens I do! I was a shift manager for about a year or so at a different company and the assistant manager at another job for about 6 or so months. Plus I’m getting my Masters degree in management/Hr right now. So…..I have an interview for the STORE MANAGER position tomorrow!!!!!!!! I am SO EXCITED! I am nervous as I have never been a store manager and have heard such negative things for the last year about my performance but I really do think I could handle it! I’m so nervious that they are going to say my experience is not enough and I’ll be back where I started looking again and stuck with my manager for awhile longer. This isn’t just a “stressful” work environment where you have bad days….EVERY DAY is a bad day and you are disrespected and taken advantage of. It is not a healthy work environment and I cry almost every night when I get home its just so bad….everyone keep your fingers crossed that I get outta there and into a better place!