I Felt Like I Was Being Interviewed By My Own Future Staff

I’ve interviewed many people before but not quite like the folks in Charlotte, NC. Most of the men and women I’ve interviewed here are ones that have been working at other independents and chain stores for 5years plus. These folks are more than just sales associates—they are professionals in their industry.

These interviews were different than ones I’ve done with people whom are not in the jewelry industry…I wanted these individuals as part of my staff and I wasn’t going to let them get away. I recognize that I am creating a family and I will be spending more time with these folks than even my own husband. I know the store is new and I need strong associates that can handle their own. So, I went into the interview and started like I usually do…talked a little about Guliani’s—who we are, what we do, why we are different, and then of course what I can do for them. I always go into an interview hoping that I won’t have to do all the talking and that I’d get asked some interesting questions myself. Well—I DID.

I’ve never interviewed people who had so many questions. They all of course wanted to know our policies—being that we are a new store.

1. Do I have a policy manual? Thank god I am in the midst of creating one.
2. The policy on having the same day off every week so that their customers would know?
3. Commission and Split commissions?
4. The stores advertising budget?
5. My prediction of the store’s first year’s sales?
6. My managing style?
7. Which POS System we had?
8. If they’d be given an email address?
9. The policy on the bar?
10. The policy on Vacations? Personal Days? Sick Days. Had definitely not thought of this one.

The most interesting question I had received was, “Why should I want to work for Guliani’s?” AND “Are you going to announce us to the community?”

I was taken aback by both of these questions—the first, “Why should I want to work for Guliani’s?” The first thought that came to my head after being asked this question—thank god I didn’t speak aloud— “What the hell—why should I have to sell you my store?” Thank god I didn’t say that and I realized it was an excellent question. If I was going to leave a job that I was at for 5 years plus I’d want to know why I really should make the change.

The second question, “Are you going to introduce us to the community?” This question was asked to me by the 3^rd or fourth woman I interviewed…and I like her so much I made her an offer on the spot and she accepted—though when she asked me this question I couldn’t help but hear the sound of me chuckling in my own head. Surprisingly, I was asked this very same question by two other people. So you understand—our newspaper has a section called the neighborhood section and it is dedicated too much of S. Charlotte. They wanted their pictures in that section announcing that they are now a part of Guliani’s Fine Jewelry. As I was chuckling in my head, I thought—what is this. A pride issue, a way to call in their old clientele, a way to get seen because you’re high on yourself. Finally, I came to my senses and realized this was a great idea. It would help them to bring some of their clientele from the other stores, introduce them to the community, and really make them feel apart of the Guliani family.

These interviews were a learning process for me as well…I guess I was used to interviewing people who needed vigorous training and didn’t know what to except. That these professionals asked me such questions really makes me feel I am starting out with an amazing team.