Had the job interview.

PerfectCreature

So, I had the job interview, it appears that it will be no different than the way things are run in Kmart. My pay would be a bass pay of $6 and hour plus my commission, then the company I guess pays me a percent of what my "Team" Electronics makes for that week for being their manager....I guess an incentive to drive my team to be goal centered and such.
I looked at some numbers, and charts for sales and such for the past 3 months and it appears I will make a lot more money than at Kmart, doing almost the same job. I just have to learn the products and research each of my tvs.
He said he is interviewing 3 more people and has already interviewed 2 more before me for a total of six candidates.
He said while I am the most qualified in terms of training I have from Kmart (Sears corporation policies and such), he wants to make sure he picks the best person....he mentioned how the last person for an interview was the electronics manager from best buy...of 4 years....so, I am a little nervous.
Hopefully that best buy guy will go back to best buy.
Anyway, looks promising, hopefully I will get a call within the week saying I get it, if I do not get one by Friday, he said I would not be getting the job.

Toolfan66

No offense, but I have a hard time seeing you as a manager. I am keeping in mind that I don't know you personally and all I can go by is your post's.

But good luck non the less

JimKellyfan

send a thank you note or email asap
Thank you for the time and consideration.
I look forward to generating more profits for the both of us, yada yada

PerfectCreature

I don't take offense to what you say, I am just a little curious....to what about me you find not of manager quality.
I do not intend for this to be a flame fest, but I would like to know...I can only get better...and if someone has a hard time seeing me as a manager I'd like to know what you see in me that is not really....well manager quality.
Edit---
I never thought about a thank you letter.
I know I usually go in the day after and thank him for his time, and tell him I look forward to being a part of his team.

JimKellyfan

nothing, you would make a good manager as you have care and concern and intelligence
go get that job and send a thank you note of some form meanwhile

JimKellyfan

A bad manager is number one in sales and works the longest days every day to all hours of the night.

A good manager, his people are competing for number one.

I know, I did both.

cnh

Good luck with all that...6 dollars an hour? WOW...times have changed. I worked as a 'packer' in a sporting goods warehouse in the mid-eighties (during the summers between working for my degree) for almost that base pay...of course we didn't get a commission for the number of boxes we packed.

If they keep decreasing the pay we WILL be ABLE TO COMPETE WITH CHINA at this rate!

Let's see...the base pay in China is 160 a month for workers--about 900 a month for someone with a degree. So we're not far away there.

If revaluations of workers salaries increase them by 50 percent...the Chinese worker will get 250 a month...(1.56/hr). All we have to do is LOWER minimum wage to 2 dollars an hour and we can kick some Chinese butt. At the management level, in fact, we're almost there since very very little TAX is paid on that 900 it's more like 1100 or 1200 a month. Which, if based on a 40 hour work week would actually be almost 7.5/hour.

I do believe that we're getting there.

Hey, it's all in fun...but you REALLY should be paid MORE than that working for a company as big as SEARS and guess what...the pay used to be A LOT MORE!!

Good Luck!


cnh

Toolfan66

Like I said I don't know you personally so I choose to not get into it. If I ever met you my views might change.

If I told you what I get paid to manage a shop you would see how bad your getting screwed. But I do wish you the best of luck.

At least you have a job so for that be greatful.

PerfectCreature

I do realize what most other people get paid for my type of job. I also realize they live in an area populated more so than my area.
Since my area is less populated it doesn't get paid that much.
If I say lived in Florida, I bet my position would pay a lot more than what I was offered.

JimKellyfan

Tool fan, you work in the auto industry ?

EDUBAG

Best of luck to you. Zoom out negative thoughts and if you get it great if not, then it wasnt for you.

Toolfan66

JimKellyfan wrote: »

Tool fan, you work in the auto industry ?

Ummm NO!

JimKellyfan

ok, you said shop, so I guess that was vague.

As Roseanna, Roseanna Danna used to say.
Never-mind.

VR3

Managers can be anyone.

I am a manager over two locations..

Who knows?

PerfectCreature

Yeah, Hopefully I will get this job. I was told commission jobs looks fantastic on a resume.
Any tips anyone has in the commission industry for selling items that I can use to help my workers out?
We are trying to sell accessories the most. They get 9% for accessories, 1% for tvs, and 5% for any HD camera/camcorder.

Hawkeye

I don't know if your manager material or not, only time will tell. But, can you be the bad guy and wrap it in bows and ribbons so your team members will work for you with a smile?

Can you be the politician that management requires? Can you kiss the fat lady's behind with a smile?:D

The only way to know is damn it, try! You may fail, ok, on the other hand you may be very successful. Remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained. The wage may be low now, but think of it as being paid to learn. You may be able to parlay your experience at Sears into something else later. Your young and eager, but with a reasonable apprehension. Go for it! Everybody can say you need to make more money,(we all do) but use this opportunity as a learning experience.

Send that thank-you card right now! That's part of the politics of the work world. You've GOT to keep YOUR NAME on the top of the list.

Gordon

Gordon

JimKellyfan

deleted
agreed

VR3

^^^ I would not share the above with the general public. Just wouldn't.

Commission can be a fun thing and help you make a lot of money.

As far as selling accessories and lots of them... you need to be armed and ready - someone presents a situation, you should have a solution and QUICK - no hmmm, uh, hmmm, ,uh - precise, confident solutions no one would question.

Make suggestions a yes question - something that would be responded with another question.

I work for a music store and we sell picks, strings, sticks - etc. When people ask for strings, I ask "2 packs" - not "Would you like two packs of strings?" Everyones automatic response to that is NO! But with a short, fast quick "2 packs" you make them register what you were saying as it is different than what others will ask and usually say "why not, sure" or will even ask "why would I want that, is there a special?"

It gets the customer involved. There is a fine art of selling accessories - my AIPT are usually in the 2.5 range while others will throttle around 1.5 to 1.8.

You have to have answers. Don't always be a manager - pretend you are there just to sell things and when someone presents a manager question to you - walk away and talk to someone imaginary in the back.

Now keep in mind my experience comes from a small Mom and Pop shop. Retail is a card game - more cards you keep, more cards they give = win.

Remember your ABC's - always be closing.

And read the book - Tom Hopkins - Mastering the arts of sales

Someone asks you "Does this TV have a DVD player built into it?"

You should never say NO! or YES! but "Do you need a dvd player"

You might be surprised that some people will ask questions like that to disqualify a unit.

Just trying to give you some pointers - I sold over 450,000 in a two store company last year. I enjoy sales and there really is no trick other than confidence and knowledge.

cnh

Good Advice V...

You know most of that works in other fields too even in non-sales work. A good friend of mine used these very same ideas to rise to the top of his field...what he was selling was 'himself'!



cnh

PerfectCreature

Wow, that is some damn good advice, I never really thought of asking a question on a question. I will have to try that, I took s shift in my electronics department for an associate who I owed a favor to....I will definatley try that way out. See how it works.
Thanks.

VR3

Also - listen to what people say.

If someone hits you with the "what kind of deal can you give me on that" instead of giving them a no...

I always hit them with "Sir/Mam - The manufacture has a list price and a MAP price, do you know what this means?" "No" "Oh really, well MAP stands for MINIMUM ADVERTISED PRICE and this price was actually set by the manufacture." "oh" "Yeah, thats why when you search for products of similar types you see basically the same price." "Now did you happen to see a lower price somewhere else?" "Well, no, I just wanted to see what you guys could do." "Oh, well what did you have in mind?"

Just an example I see on a daily basis - questions questions questions.

Listens to the answers, possibly - maybe, blah blah - are an out. You need to ask that question AGAIN until you get assurance.

Why do leg work for something that is not there.

Again remember ABC - ALWAYS BE CLOSING.

You should have a formula for selling everything, questions that lead you to one ultimate goal - closing the sale. "Chit chat" with customers are purely to get your guard down as a salesman and ultimately get you off track. Stay on track and stay in command.

If you are ever in a situation where the customers gets "quiet" - SHUT UP and you stand there for 5 hours if nessicary -- you speak = you lose.

Also if someone asks you what you think of something - never tell them, just ask them what they think of that --- "What do you think about Panasonic?" "What do you think about Panasonic?" "Oh they suck man, blah blah (insert story of why they suck)" -- By asking them back, you saved totally disqualifying yourself.

Read that book brother and you will go from selling a little- maybe a lot - but even more and do it like a pro.

Hawkeye

Part of being management is selling your crew too. That can be the hard part. I have 25 people that work for me but, we are not in sales. I have to sell my crew everyday on the if's, but's and why's.

Keeping a level, calm attititude everyday without fail is important to the folks that will be working for you. If you rant and rail at them, you'll receive nothing in return. Treat them as you wish to be treated. They are you're bread and butter, I like mine fresh.:D

Gordon

cstmar01

ahh business 350 the class that taught us to always be closing. One thing that I took away from that class, and the fact that according to the professor "Anyone can sell something, its just a matter of how well you sell it that will get the job done."

Still find this to be true. Anyone one in the world could sell something, to me its about HOW you do it. If you come at me like your a kid that is just doing the job because you have to, I will never ever pay attention to anything your saying, why? because you don't care.

Now if you come at it with a positive attitude and want to acutally help the customer and make a good choice, then I will pay attention and if it doesn't end in a sale that day, I would probably be back because I like the service.

The biggest thing with sales, also LISTEN. You can try to sell me all the warranties in the world, if you don't understand what I'm looking for, I'm not going to pay attention to anything else.

Tom Hopkins - Mastering the arts of sales

btw good book, we also read this for our Bus 350 class. I also had a long list of other materials for sales, however can't find that list anymore. If the OP is interested I can try and contact the prof to see if I can get the book list he provided.

PerfectCreature

That wouldn't be to far of an idea cstmar01. If it is not a hassle, I wouldn't mind.
But if the tom hopkins book is the book to go.
It is fairly cheap as well, to my surprise. Perhaps the bookstore will have it.
Thanks again.

VR3

One my boss recommends is "How to win friends and influence people."

I have not read this one -- but it is pretty highly rated.

There is also a book titled something along the lines of "How to survive your first year as manager."

Again, have not read it - but highly recommender by people I know.

cnh

Dale Carnegie....the author...a book ONCE very popular and even 'older' than I. You all must be at least less than 50. But that's good. We need the young ones energy and passion out there!

cnh

mole'

Good luck man

hope you get the Job.

BTW, do you get credit for internet sells or something? maybe you could do some sells on here?

TECHNOKID

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

No offense, but I have a hard time seeing you as a manager. I am keeping in mind that I don't know you personally and all I can go by is your post's.

But good luck non the less

IMHO, this is negativity. None of us knows the OP personnally however, he already has a manager position which he mentions that his boss pointed they would gladly take him back if it didn't work with Sears and just for that, we should definitely be giving him the benefit of the doubt.

JimKellyfan wrote: »

send a thank you note or email asap
Thank you for the time and consideration.
I look forward to generating more profits for the both of us, yada yada

Definetely, this is a MUST! That is part of selling your self, this MUST BE DONE PRIOR to management-interviewers final decision! If you can sell your self, you shouldn't have any problem selling material!

PerfectCreature wrote: »

I don't take offense to what you say, I am just a little curious....to what about me you find not of manager quality.
I do not intend for this to be a flame fest, but I would like to know...I can only get better...and if someone has a hard time seeing me as a manager I'd like to know what you see in me that is not really....well manager quality.
Edit---
I never thought about a thank you letter.
I know I usually go in the day after and thank him for his time, and tell him I look forward to being a part of his team.

Stay positive no matter what negative hits you!

JimKellyfan wrote: »

A bad manager is number one in sales and works the longest days every day to all hours of the night.

A good manager, his people are competing for number one.

I know, I did both.

Fully agreed! Bad manger will not trust and motivate others and will burn himself trying to do the work himself! A good manger will sell motivation to his crew allowing them to succeed thus allowing for his own success. Like in many other job, being a good sale person doesn't warrant being a good sale manager (two different jobs with different skill sets!)!

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

Like I said I don't know you personally so I choose to not get into it. If I ever met you my views might change.

If I told you what I get paid to manage a shop you would see how bad your getting screwed. But I do wish you the best of luck.

At least you have a job so for that be greatful.

How many years experience do you have in this position TOOL? Keep in mind PC is starting and is part time over that! The only time one starts at the top is when digging a hole :eek:

PerfectCreature wrote: »

I do realize what most other people get paid for my type of job. I also realize they live in an area populated more so than my area.
Since my area is less populated it doesn't get paid that much.
If I say lived in Florida, I bet my position would pay a lot more than what I was offered.

Don't try to justify the lower wage, do your home work and find out what is an average income for a manager in the position you are offered.

EDUBAG wrote: »

Best of luck to you. Zoom out negative thoughts and if you get it great if not, then it wasnt for you.

Yep, YOU have EVERYTHING to GAIN and NOTHING to loose (but do your home work)!

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »

Managers can be anyone.

I am a manager over two locations..

Who knows?

I don't agree, leadership is imperative in a good manager. A manager MUST earn the respect of his crew (I am not saying he has to be liked... however it might help), without it it is a lost cause.

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »

^^^ I would not share the above with the general public. Just wouldn't.

Commission can be a fun thing and help you make a lot of money.

As far as selling accessories and lots of them... you need to be armed and ready - someone presents a situation, you should have a solution and QUICK - no hmmm, uh, hmmm, ,uh - precise, confident solutions no one would question.

Make suggestions a yes question - something that would be responded with another question.
I work for a music store and we sell picks, strings, sticks - etc. When people ask for strings, I ask "2 packs" - not "Would you like two packs of strings?" Everyones automatic response to that is NO! But with a short, fast quick "2 packs" you make them register what you were saying as it is different than what others will ask and usually say "why not, sure" or will even ask "why would I want that, is there a special?"

It gets the customer involved. There is a fine art of selling accessories - my AIPT are usually in the 2.5 range while others will throttle around 1.5 to 1.8.

You have to have answers. Don't always be a manager - pretend you are there just to sell things and when someone presents a manager question to you - walk away and talk to someone imaginary in the back.

Now keep in mind my experience comes from a small Mom and Pop shop. Retail is a card game - more cards you keep, more cards they give = win.

Remember your ABC's - always be closing.

And read the book - Tom Hopkins - Mastering the arts of sales

Someone asks you "Does this TV have a DVD player built into it?"

You should never say NO! or YES! but "Do you need a dvd player"
You might be surprised that some people will ask questions like that to disqualify a unit.

Just trying to give you some pointers - I sold over 450,000 in a two store company last year. I enjoy sales and there really is no trick other than confidence and knowledge.

Vr3MxStyler2k3 must definitely be a great sale person, giving good pointers and free at that :cool:Commission allows you to deserve your pay and be proud of your earnings but just don't make the mistake to be greedy, sell what the client needs. NO less NO more!

Have you ever heard of active listening? As pointed out, questions and suggestions will lead you to know exactly what your client is after and will also lead the client to trust you, he will assume that you know what you are talking about.

Vr3MxStyler2k3 is talking about confidence and knowledge but let's not forget about passion and attitude as a good combo of them will provide you with the client respect and trust. As a leader you have to be an example of such to your crew. You do not have to be the number one in sale but your crew must realize you are not asking from them what you can not do your self!

PerfectCreature wrote: »

Wow, that is some damn good advice, I never really thought of asking a question on a question. I will have to try that, I took s shift in my electronics department for an associate who I owed a favor to....I will definatley try that way out. See how it works.
Thanks.

Practice such with the people (co-workers) you trust and you will eventually feel at ease doing so and knowing exactly when to do so. Master this and teach and request this behavior from your crew (never correct them in front of clients but never hesitate to take them aside afterward to discuss the areas where they need to improve).

Hawkeye wrote: »

Part of being management is selling your crew too. That can be the hard part. I have 25 people that work for me but, we are not in sales. I have to sell my crew everyday on the if's, but's and why's.

Keeping a level, calm attititude everyday without fail is important to the folks that will be working for you. If you rant and rail at them, you'll receive nothing in return. Treat them as you wish to be treated. They are you're bread and butter, I like mine fresh.:D

Gordon

You must trust your crew, respect them and correct them as necessary by simply help them to set improvement goals.

cstmar01 wrote: »

ahh business 350 the class that taught us to always be closing. One thing that I took away from that class, and the fact that according to the professor "Anyone can sell something, its just a matter of how well you sell it that will get the job done."

Still find this to be true. Anyone one in the world could sell something, to me its about HOW you do it. If you come at me like your a kid that is just doing the job because you have to, I will never ever pay attention to anything your saying, why? because you don't care.

Now if you come at it with a positive attitude and want to acutally help the customer and make a good choice, then I will pay attention and if it doesn't end in a sale that day, I would probably be back because I like the service.
The biggest thing with sales, also LISTEN. You can try to sell me all the warranties in the world, if you don't understand what I'm looking for, I'm not going to pay attention to anything else.

Tom Hopkins - Mastering the arts of sales

btw good book, we also read this for our Bus 350 class. I also had a long list of other materials for sales, however can't find that list anymore. If the OP is interested I can try and contact the prof to see if I can get the book list he provided.

I find attitude is the biggest point, if you have a good attitude toward your job, you definitely have to have passion. Your attitude will lead you to actually serve and help people. You will love doing it and they'll know it and act accordingly giving you their trust and respect!

Now, cstmar01 is proposing you good learning tools, I sure hope you will jump on that. Any training-knowledge is a lifetime present, any wise man knows this and will always jump at the opportunity to learn.

Vr3MxStyler2k3 and cstmar01, thank you for posting your knowledge and wisdom on the subject as even I can learn from your posts :cool:


Good luck!
TK

TECHNOKID

cnh wrote: »

Dale Carnegie....the author...a book ONCE very popular and even 'older' than I. You all must be at least less than 50. But that's good. We need the young ones energy and passion out there!

cnh

Ah! Dale Carnegie, one of my favorite author of positive thinking! I don't think any of his books that I read ever disappointed me... I don't recall the title of the BRICK I read from him (I read it in 1979 I beleive).

lightman1

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »

Managers can be anyone.

I am a manager over two locations..

Who knows?

And you make $6.75/hr.

lightman1

I work by myself because others say I don't play well with others and eat paste. I hate people.