These days its really difficult to find a job, so when you are scouring the job boards and find and open call its like a gift. Here's the scenario:
You're on the internet searching for possible opportunities, actual jobs seems to be scarce and since you already have an internship you decide let's take a step into the past. Retail, visual merchandising and display styling, years of experience should open up more options.
It wouldn't be that easy.
Weeks go by and you've applied for numerous positions and its becoming clear that years of experience may also mean a higher pay that employers don't want to spend, it could also mean you suck, but let's go with the former. Here it is the perfect opportunity.
Open Call for Experienced Visual Merchandisers.
Could this be true. Its like Christmas. Exactly what you are looking for, and they seem to be looking for you. You take down the date and prepare for the interview. Interview, what else could it be, I won't ruin it, read on.
Today is the day. Well not actually today, this is from my life about a month ago.
You wake up excited, they want you, you want them, its perfect. You dress for the company you are applying, in professional but still young, hip and trendy. Since trend is this retailer's middle name, don't try to guess I'll tell you, but a little later. The train is here, yes, you will be there right in the middle of the schedule, which was 10am - 12pm. More then enough time. Walking down the blocks, you're getting excited, finally a job, that is looking for you. You turn the corner, there's a line.
Ugh.
The line, is outside in 90 degree weather going down going about 30 percent down the block and you have to get on it. You walk past the competition, taking them all in along with the heat but you are not phased by either yet. Few are in suits most are very trendy, going so far as to be wearing short shorts, and metallic sneakers. You look over your outfit, dress slacks, button down white shirt, graphic tee over top like a vest and red patent leather pumps. You are the combination of professional and hip. You don't even care that people walking down the streets are staring at you wondering why people are on line. You are feeling good.
This doesn't last. Hey what are those numbers?
You look down the line again, does everyone have them? No, but most do. Oh no. You need a number. You start moving to the front, ahh, they have them at the cash register. You hand over your resume, which is required, they write your name on a sheet of white paper and hand you the resume paper and a number. Number 53, Lucky number 53. You get back on the line which is now longer because these people saw the one posted sign behind everyone in the front of the line, that anyone under 5'9" wouldn't that said come inside with resume to get a number. Which was the cause for another potential visual merchandiser to get sassed by an employee, when she said there was no sign. Now the line is moving forward, wait backward, wait again forward, nope backward. That goes on a few times because those moving the into the store are taking to many than necessary then having to send the rest back outside.
What's this I'm at the front. Finally time to go inside. We walk downstairs, there's another line. I get on the end of that and wait.
You wait and wait, its 11:45 hey doesn't these end at 12. You start reading the employee rules and regulations posted on a wall. They are reasonable, wait, You must wear ******** ******** from head to toe, no exceptions. even stockings. What's that on the mirror, "Are You Wearing ***** ********? If not you are not in dress code. Ok, now you are phased, because you belong to the majority of the population over size 12 and they don't have your size. You have worked in other stores obviously because you are experienced but the rule was just to look lik you belonged, similar clothing to those they carry or the clothes if you could fit them and wanted to buy them. Here they are telling you, they don't care if you want to have their clothes you have to if you work there but not only that they don't give you and allowance to buy these clothes as with most retailers that require their merchandise is worn by employees. But right now this is not your concern.
You think back to your first thought you can't fit these clothes. They don't want me, do you you have a chance. You would buy the clothes maybe you could find something, you just need the job. You are moving up in the line , what is going to happen. Its your turn.
They ask you to stand against the wall holding up the paper with you name and phone number. What is this? You've never been to an interview open, group, or individual where you had to have your picture taken, You comply, your outfit is nice. You walk over and sit down at a make shift desk handing over your resume. They ask you two, maybe three questions and thank you, we'll call you.
That's it. It's over. No more questions. Nope.
You say thanks and leave. Walking how you realize they took the picture because they have an image in mind of the people the want to hire, experience of not, and later they are going to pick out those that fit into that mold. You are angry. Why didn't they just say it was a "casting", at least A & F are upfront with their wanting models when they place an employment ad. You know those in short shorts and metallic sneakers are getting call backs because they had the look and probably, most likely were wearing the clothes. If they had the experience, cool. If not, then that sucks. Maybe you are wrong maybe they will call you based on your over six years of experience, they don't. You are still on the job hunt.
Oh yes. The retailer with the "open" call. American Apparel.
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