Ever since I first step foot in the Uniqlo SoHo store a year ago, I've wanted to work with the company - so when job searching on Craigslist and I saw the recruitment event for the new branch of Uniqlo at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, I knew I had to jump on the opportunity.
The event was held at 9am at WorkForce 1 on Bond Street in Brooklyn. I and other hopefuls for retail jobs with major fashion companies like H&M, Armani Express, etc., were bundled together for a huge group interview with two Account Managers (general recruiters who work with companies in need of staff, and choose who they think would be most fit for the relevant positions). With about 65 candidates, many of whom were applying for positions in more than one company, the interview began. The manager who did all the talking asked every single person to state their name, and their first-choice company. Then, he asked every row (which consisted of about ten people) a different question (see below), and every person had to answer to the best of their ability. This took quite a while since our group was so large, but based on their answers, confidence, energy, smiles and eye contact, it quickly became obvious which persons would be recruited and sent for interviews with the direct hiring managers of their preferred companies. Finally, he went through every single person one more time, asking everyone what they believed their greatest strength was, while taking notes on everyone's resume.
When it was finally over, he told us when we'd find out if we had made it to the second round of interviews, and we were dismissed. Recruited Uniqlo candidates were to be contacted before 5pm that same day (Friday), and would have their interview on the following Monday morning at 10 am, once again at WorkForce 1.
I received my invitation to the interview with the direct hiring manager on Sunday afternoon, around 2pm, which listed tips for the interview, the dress code (business professional/casual), the questions we would be asked at the interview, and background information on the company. It also required that we confirm our attendance, and fill out an online application for the Sales Associate position at the Brooklyn store before our interview. Later in the night, I received another email stating that we might be offered a job after the interview, and it listed the documents we should bring with us to the interview to prove our identity and work eligibility.
On Monday morning, the interview began around 10:30am, and since there were only eight candidates invited to interview and two interviewers, we were split into two groups of four and went into separate rooms to begin at the same time. My group was interviewed by the Assistant Manager of the new store, who was really friendly and down-to-earth. She gave us a worksheet with a couple yes/no questions, and we had to give them back to her, along with our resumes, before the interview began.
Firstly, each of us had to simply talk a little bit about ourselves. Then she asked each of us a different question (see below). Thirdly, she asked us individually to convince her why she should hire us. She then asked about availability and ensured that we were willing to work closing shifts (2pm-11pm) at least twice a week.
She loved all of our answers, so she then extended job offers to all four of us, and we all accepted. We were then given sheets with instructions to do a drug test within 36 hours, and she said that as soon as the results were in and we passed, we would recurve our official welcome packet by email. Orientation was scheduled for the 34th Street location the next Monday, and although the new store was not scheduled to open until October 25th, our work at the store would begin on October 4th, to prepare the store for opening.
That was it! Nothing too difficult~ :D
**Row questions at the 1st Group Interview (with the Account Managers):
>> How would you connect with a customer who just entered the store?
>> State your first-choice company, their top competitors, and why they are competing.
>> State your first-choice company, and explain why you want to work there.
>> Describe one situation where you had a conflict with a co-worker/boss, and how it was resolved.
>> Describe the qualities your ideal boss would possess.
>> Why do you want to work in retail?
**Individual questions at 2nd group interview (with the Uniqlo Assistant Manager):
>> What is the most fulfilling part of working in a sales environment?
>> Describe an obstacle you had to overcome. (Can be in the workplace or in general.)
>> Describe a scenario at your past job where you sold something to someone that they did not originally intend to buy.
>> Why do you want to work at Uniqlo?
Good luck to future Uniqlo hopefuls! :)
