Its where the Pet's Go...Petsmart

There are pretty much two basic places for people to shop for their pets. Of course there are smaller pet stores and such. But the bigger stores are either PetCo or Petsmart.

I had an interview with Petsmart near my house last week on Friday. It was the first interview I have had anywhere since October (no clue why). This is a big deal interview.

It is for a position at the new store. Something I have wanted and tried for since May. And worked hard to get. I am unsure how it went. I will know this week if I got a second one Monday, Tuesdays or Wednesday. But I am hopeful. The guy seemed to like me. And if this doesn't work out then I can apply again for more positions once the store opens.

So I am hopeful. Time will tell. If its meant to be it will happen. And if so I promise to update this entry with that news!

I love pets and these stores. So wish me luck. This is one of those dream jobs I didn't know if I would ever get a shot at getting.

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UPDATED on January 26th 2014

I had an interview two weeks back for another Petsmart. This was the most disappointing one ever even more than the new store if possible. I had to walk from where I was at it took me a half hour and it was nearly 85* out. I arrived barely 5 min before and was able to change clothes quickly but looked a mess. Worse yet the manager liked me and the fact I had cats. I was so hopeful about this. I havent interviewed for PM a lot but this was my most hopeful and most saddest. I was hopeful as I waited for them to call me for a 2nd. But sadly due to it being too slow they cant take me on now. Maybe in a few weeks. But unsure. Sad all around I was so close to this one I could taste it!

So this one is about um food...yeah Chickfla food...

Chickfla is the lovely food place. I love their food. So I decided to go to this job fair for this one in Arizona. We went down early.

There were two interviews. The first one the lady liked me. I promise you I thought I was going to get hired on the spot. She didn't even care that I didn't have any food experience. If she had been it I would have gotten the job.

The second part of the interview the second one was not fun. I first had to wait around for them to finish the first ones about an hour or so. I couldn't just leave this place was a good thirty plus minutes from home. The lady I finally talked to didn't like me. Or that I didn't have any "food experience". This was my first time doing an interview for a food place. I will never fully understand why you need FOOD experience for a FAST FOOD JOB.

So of course I didn't get it. And it scared me away pretty much from doing a fast food job interview in the future...Too bad though I still love their food!

Just for fun...here are the stores I cant get on with that are brand new!

Taking a small break till next weekend from Job Interviews here is a quick glance at my job jinx of never being able to work for a brand new store. Some of the stores I have tried for over the years. My FIRST retail job was at a brand new store at a brand new mall (even more rare new mall!) but since then I cant get a job at a new store...what they don't tell you is that although lots apply for regular jobs new locations hire 50 plus people! And HUNDREDS apply for those. Unsure if that is why I cant get a job at a new store or what but the worst ones are as follows...

1. I tried for a few new stores at The Block of Orange (has a new name now) before I got hired at Toys International. I cant name them all but I have named Borders as one of them there were a few more retail and food places...

2. Biggest disaster was trying for a job with Barnes & Noble in TN before we moved there. The manager was just mean. She acted nice but was behind my back saying bad stuff to my current manager about me. I couldn't believe it when I heard they were both against me. I just wanted a job at the new Outdoor mall in Murfreesboro no sir she didn't want me to have it. Btw I didn't even know it was a mall till we moved there. I thought it was just that store!

3. There was some new clothing store opening at Opry Mills. I cant remember the name who knows if they came back since the flood happened in 2009. But they didn't want me to come work for them. Why? I wasn't skinny. They turned me away with a few but kept a few more girls. Yup that is how that went.

4. There was a kids clothing store at Cool Springs Galleria I cant remember their name. I really wanted that job. Badly. It broke my heart when I saw they there but didn't want me. I even got to interview for them.

5. One of the worst jobs I have lost that makes me cry even now thinking about it. Is The Lego Store in Arizona. I have worked for the company for over 2 years and found out after research trying to get a good recommendation after the fact that I am very re-hirable. It was for a new store 40 min from our house. I met the manager who liked me but forgot about me. I called back with my number from my store and he wasn't able to take my call. I could never talk to him. I tried really hard. I should have taken a job with the other store by us when I couldn't there. I turned them down. I did interview with them later on but I think they recalled me and didn't take me because of my rejection. I wanted a full time job with the company. One of the best reasons I want a job at a new store is more chances for jobs and chances for full time jobs. Either way I could not get on with them. And it broke my heart. Things would have been so different with us in AZ if I had of gotten that job there...Why? I don't know...

6. A new Disney Store opened at our mall. I went to the big job fair. I thought they liked me. I am like I will get this. They seemed to like me sure why not. But I think too much experience or something else and guess what no job for you.

7. Crocs opened a store at the outlet in 2012. I really wanted a job with them. I love Crocs shoes so this would have been a job with a company I would have shopped with and used. I had tried another crocs that didn't work out. But this was a new store in this area. The reason I didn't get a job there is still unknown. The manager said something came up in my background? I am thinking they did a credit check. I will 100% never understand why for a regular job that is something jobs do because its mean. Credit unless its a bank has NOTHING to do with a retail job!

8. A new Dollar Tree opened by us last year. I couldn't make the first day of interviews. But the second day I came. They interviewed me. The manager lied to me. And I didn't get it. I would have used my discount if any I still shop there more than any other DT I am in there once a week plus because its so close to home.

9. ROSS opened in July this year right by my house. The lady who interviewed us was not truthful she told us lies about we were all be considered. Things I didn't find out till I tried to call them about my reference for my last job changing her phone number. Nope didn't get called.

10. My latest is Petsmart. The manager said he would look for my application. But guess what nothing. 300 people plus applied for them. They open in December. I have tried to apply with them 3x now and nothing. Although they aren't open yet I cant get the manager on the phone he is at the new store and I cant talk to him there. I am just about to give up on this. If I even talk to the manager before they open at this point it will be a miracle.

Next week I'm back with job interviews stay tuned!!

Trying to not do retail I tried a preschool...or two or three...

I love kids and so even though I never made it be a teacher I thought being someone who works at a Preschool would be fun. I have had a few times where I did interview for these.

Back when I lived in Orange County I tried a couple of these. The one I can remember was a church near by us. I remember I think they were like a different Christian beliefs then us. So that worried me. I was wondering if I had to go to church there if I got the job. But sadly although it was a good interview I didn't get the job.

On advice from my best friend I looked again while in AZ. This time it was in downtown Phoenix. It was the first time I had been to that area. I interviewed for a cool little preschool. I really loved the whole place. It would have been full time, working with kids. I thought the interview went really well. I first had to fill out an application (I think I sent a resume in through craigslist). And then I did the interview. I remember them liking me. And I also remember half the staff being sick from some of the kids being sick. I had a tour of all the rooms. It was just so neat. I thought for sure I would get it. Of course I didn't. I think they wanted someone with more experience because I was never called in. Oh well I tried.

Much like AZ here in CA they seem to want experience even in helpers for rooms. I think its sad since I love kids, and have done plenty of care for my sister and even in school they couldn't give me a shot. I am unsure if I will ever get to interview for a job. On occasion I do apply but still haven't gotten anyone to call me...

The other jewerly kind of store...ICING

Claire's has another store same company. I don't actually shop there, I don't think I have ever shopped there. While Claire's I have shopped at, a lot. I don't shop at Icing. It has mostly jewelry which I don't wear. Its all fancy. But I keep trying to get a job with them cause they are same company as Claire's? Unsure why I try

1. My first interview was with them in AZ. I remember it was in a mall in Mesa that we didn't go to too often but we went sometimes. The manger who wasn't super skinny was very stylish. I notice these things since I am not so skinny. She was nice and all that jazz. But I was unsure how the interview went and of course I didn't get it.

2. I had an interview last week with Icing again out here. It was at the mall in Escondido so about 35 min from our house. The manager was nice. The interview went alright. It wasn't for a sale associate but a key holder position. The thing is I learned stuff I didn't know if I could do. I didn't know if I could clean the store like they wanted, I didn't know if I could help dress up outfits, and the ear piercing thing always freaked me out. But the fact that Icing does MOSTLY babies as young as 6 months and young toddlers. I cant imagine trying to get someone like that to hold still. Either way I didn't get a second interview so I guess that wont work out. I think from now on I will stick to trying for Claire's only...

That's all from this company...I think!

You can't go back...Great American Cookie part 2

My first time interviewing for Great American Cookie which is the same company and the southern version of Mrs Fields. Was when I got my job with them. It was my first job in TN just weeks after we moved out there I got it. And it only last one week.

A few years later I am unsure when it was Spring I think probably 2009 or 2010 I went to the Great American Cookie at Cool Springs Galleria. I was hoping for a job with them and was desperate.

The lady at that location had no idea I had worked with the company before. I had only worked a week for them and I have never really told anyone I worked for them I didn't see the point. The way it ended wasn't my fault in the first place. And wasn't worth the reason I lost my job the *real* reason not the reason I was told.

So the lady at this location was really odd. She told me I couldn't go in the bathroom for long periods just to text. And I would be on camera at all times. She knew I wasn't a teenager and wanted someone who wouldn't act like the teens who work there.

I don't know why in the end I didn't get the job there. I didn't think it was me. But she was so odd its okay I am in some ways glad she never called me back...

Since its THAT time of year...Party City!

Last year before I started back up with LL for Brick or Treat I had an interview with Party City. It was ONLY for the month of October for Halloween. They are a big deal for costumes there and that was all it would be.

I have never interviewed before with the company. So this was an interesting thing all around. I thought the interview went well. I answered all their questions. They seem to like me.

But of course they didn't hire me. Guess it was for the best as LL took me back again shortly after that. I think I was interviewing for them possibly when I knew I would do BOT and was going to try to do both. But of course that didn't work out...

Debated about trying again this year but decided not to. There aren't that many Party Citys around here so the only one I could try again would be the same one. Oh well...

Crazy about Candy oh wait...Candy CRAZE gotcha!

I am unsure totally if this store is ANYWHERE else in the USA but here you go. It was called "Candy Craze" and it was located at "The Cool Springs Galleria" in Franklin, TN.

Looking for a second job to go with my job at Borders and to work with me going to school at nice twice a week I started to apply for jobs at the mall. From Borders I could walk to the mall in about 30min to 45min it wasn't that big a deal for me to do this. In fact eventually I did get a job at the mall and walked there from Borders. But this was different.

The managers (and I mean both as in two talked to me) were very rude. Up front they were shocked and told me that I had *walked* that far from one place to another and didn't have a car. They pretty much mad fun of me for having to walk and had done so.

I am unsure if they even really asked me a lot of questions. Except can I keep the floors clean, etc. I knew the store well enough as my kiosk was in the mall at the holidays and I had even stopped in sometimes for a little snack. So don't get me wrong I knew the store and I knew I could do the job.

But when ANYONE has EVER made fun of me during an interview I haven't gotten the job. And it would be pointless if I had because who wants that to be your job for weeks, months, years when they make fun of you before you even start?

Needless to say I didn't get the job and who cares. Mean ladies who cares if someone WALKS to work from another job. Its not a crime and I shouldn't have been made fun of for such a thing in the first place!

Production Assistant...the job I was trained to do!

Thought it would be fun to do a job interview here for a job I went to school twice for. I am still sad about this one. I swear when I found out I didn't get it I cried a lot! One day soon I hope please?!

Not too long after my interview for my internship with FOX in TN I tried for a PA job. Those are the kind that are just below everyone but above internship. Kind of like internship but paid. You help out with stuff all over where needed. Those are considered "entry level" for the biz I want to break into.

I was super nervous. My school had closed and I was working with the CSB in GA by then. But they knew about the close and even told me another PA they had currently came from CSB so they knew the school. The guy liked me. He showed me the ropes asked me some questions and told me he would get back to me next few days.

When he wasn't calling I called him. I left him a message and finally he got back to me and told me he had filled it with someone else. It broke my heart and I cried.

I haven't been able to find any more to apply for or even if I have they don't call me. But someday soon I will break in PA job or something else...

Just another bookstore not from here...Bookmans

This blog is about an interview at Bookmans which was as far as I know only located in Arizona but I am unsure.

Desperate for a job I started to look out of places I normally tried for. So I applied at this bookstore in Arizona. It was not just a bookstore (a used bookstore) but they had a café, and they sold some other kinds of things like records, cds, etc. It was almost like a used everything store. But I loved it. The smell of old books. It was a classic store I didn't really buy stuff in but loved for its looks alone. They had two in Arizona I applied for the one near us in Mesa. There was another one in Phoenix (if you want proof they exist visit: http://www.bookmans.com )

There are few interviews I can say went as well as this one. I really was tired but I was okay. The manager liked me so much the interview was more like a conversation and it went on for a long time. We talked of course about the job but he seemed to click with me. I was 100% positive I had nailed this one!

Of course I hadn't. It didn't lead me to a job it led me to nothing. I guess my being tired and A.D.D. had kicked in and ruined it again. Or the manager thought I was TOO much like him and he didn't want someone like that around. Either way I didn't get the job. If its more like a conversation then an interview heads up its probably not happening. Lesson I learned that day!

Since this was the first of many times I thought I had nailed the interview it really put me through the loop. I realized that I didn't know what a good interview was. Most I don't get but sometimes you really think you got it and I did and I didn't. I realized how wrong I was and how I might never know if I got the job anymore from this point on...

My first & last regular clothing store job...Charlotte Russe

I have only one time interviewed at a clothing store like this. I think maybe another time but this was by far the biggest group interview I have ever seen and the worst I have ever been to!

Charolotte Russe is the trendy teen clothing store pretty much in every mall possible out there or I have seen. As a teen I used to shop there sometimes but not often. Mostly because the clothes were not cheap and my family was not rich. But I liked shopping there when they had sales. When I was in my 20's I used to come in while I worked another job on my breaks to look at their pj's and other things on sale. I probably bought jewelry there here and there even sun glasses maybe once or twice. So I did shop at that store. Its just been a while!

I am not a stylish person but I think I could be if I wanted to be. Either way I was one of at least 15 people interviewing the day this happened. We lived in AZ it took place at the outlet mall Arizona Mills. They gathered our HUGE group in the food court. We took up probably 25% of the food court doing this all in our chairs gathered in the circle.

Most of the girls were skinny and the *type* to shop there and work there. A few were like me, fashionable sure, dressed nice, but not skinny enough to wear the clothes.

The first part of the interview wasn't as much as questions as it was about what the job would be like. In fact I think its possible I spoke one time when we each had to say our names or something.

Then comes the kicker. Half way through the interview they call names. If our name isn't called (or was called I cant recall) they tell us they have our applications on file and we can go home. I don't even realize till its happened they are separating out who they want and who they don't.

Next thing you know it, they have kept about 10 of the people there (So I am guessing there were at least 20 plus of us) and are gathering them together closer in chairs to talk better. I can see from where I am on the other side of the food court, waiting for my ride that they have just separated out the non-skinny's from the skinnys and those without fashion in their outfits to go home and not even get a shot. Because we didn't fit their type!

I watched them talk for a good 15 or more minutes after we had been let go. I knew I wasn't getting the job I wasn't even getting a real chance. All cause I didn't fit the type. I think that is mean and wrong. Its not the first time some clothing store thought I wouldn't fit in so they didn't hire me. I think its wrong to stereo type people like that. I cried a little from it but I got over it.

From time to time I will still apply to clothing store jobs. Usually ones like Wet Seal where I have seen non-skinny girls or Victoria Secrets cause I almost got a job there. But never ever again will I apply to Charolette Russe. A place I once shopped at but never again...

Cheapest place to work...Dollar Tree!

Another one time only job interview they come along sometimes and I am lucky for even one interview with them.

I can promise you that there are few places I shop at all the time more than Dollar Tree or 99cent store. Good items, cheap prices. I love shopping there. But so far I cant love working for them...

Last year heard they were opening a brand NEW store right by our library that I visit. A close drive of maybe 10 minutes. A walk of 1 hour. Honestly as close to home as you can get pretty much. I went down the second day of interviews. I had been working the day before. My job at LL was about to wrap up for the year (I am unsure if this was for the time before Spring or the time before Fall). Either way I went down there. The manager was nice enough and I remember him well, his name and him in general as I visit the store often enough. Well he told me what they was looking for. He acted like there wasn't any cashier jobs open. But didn't go right and say that they were all gone. Then he said a line I wont forget "I will remember you name and phone number so I will be sure to call you!" That was as sure as any job offer right? WRONG! I waited long enough and knew he wasn't going to call. He lied. I wish he had just told me straight up there were no cashier spots and not wasted my time. It was just wrong!

At first I vowed to never go in that store. I was fooling myself. I go in there pretty much every week as its our closest Dollar Tree. However whenever I see him I glare so he cant see me, I try to not talk to him even if he asks if I need help. Maybe its wrong to hold a grudge so much but I would do the same for any other place if I could remember who I interviewed with. He shouldn't have lied. Why do they lie to people like that? Its just wrong!

Half Priced Books...its a southern thing

Upon making sure I was writing about the right store I found out the location I am about to talk about has closed as of 2009. But it was in Franklin, TN and it was called "Half Priced Books"

This is the only interview I have done with that company. It was in November 2007. We had barely moved out to the area a few weeks before. Deciding to branch out past our little city in TN (the city wasn't little persay haha) we started looking farther from home. Franklin was about 45min from home sometimes longer or a bit shorter. I went in and the manager who's name was Tim was really out there.

He wouldn't let me talk about my other bookstore job it was horrible. He specifically told me when I wanted to "We don't want to hear Borders, Barnes & Noble or Books a Million". So when I went to talk about B&N I had to not say the name he was so weird! He even proceeded to tell me they don't give good customer service at *those* stores and talked about the Borders just a few blocks from there. A store I had never heard of.

I knew this would not be a job for me. But I would like to thank CRAZY Tim for pointing me to Borders. Within a week of this interview I had interviewed and been hired with Borders a store I was at for the rest of the time I lived in that state. So if I hadn't gone to this odd stupid interview I never would have found my real job...

You know that store...Walmart

Well due to the fact I had another interview with this store this last week I thought it would be fun to remark on all my failed attempts at a store I love to shop at pretty much weekly but can never get to being the one to work there. My sister on a side note did work for this company back in TN for 2 months the first 2 we out there but lost her job for lame reasons. She was a stock person something I could never be for the store cause I know from past experience at other jobs I am not good at putting out stock fast. Oh well moving on...

1. My first Walmart interview was before the internet was so popular. It was back in Anaheim. I got to go upstairs and fill out a big amount of questions similar to questions they put online for some job sites (Walmart used to do it online and since I last applied few years ago they have done away with it all together). Well that was my interview. The first part I guess. I filled it out and I guess they didn't like my answers. I was never really asked many questions if any and then never called me back for anything else. Sad.

2. I did a survey app online. I am including it here because it was like an interview I never had. I filled out the questions and they told me straight up I didn't get the job. I didn't even get an interview I failed before I even got to try!

3. I had another interview with Walmart back in 2011 when we first moved back to California. (Had I stayed in Arizona I might have gotten some with them few called me after we had moved but I couldn't do anything about it by then). I had filled out the usual questions they still did online. And they still called me in. It was the oddest interview ever. Most of the questions were ones like I had done online if I was in this situation what I would I do...whatever the reason for those I didn't get hired. I was kind of intimidated and couldn't answer them flat up like that. Its hard enough to answer them online in the privacy of my home!

4. My latest Walmart interview was last week on Aug 5th. It was for a newer smaller store barely open a year. About 25 mint from our house. I think it replaced a Home Depot? Either way the lady who called me didn't do the interview I had some guy. It was only a few easy questions. I thought it went very well. But he said they would do call back's in a couple of days for the 2nd interview (there are 3 total lovely) and no one called so I am assuming I didn't get anything. If they decide to call me this week I am all for it but I am not expecting much. Sad. I liked that little store. In a lot with lots of food places, the store itself small enough I wouldn't be overwhelmed. I don't know why I wasn't called back! I never do :( .

That's all folks from Walmart. Hoping someone will call me in the future but still sad I missed out on the new store didn't know they were doing it beginning of July and even if I checked the box for the store as it was listed I doubt I will be called for them. Maybe one closer to home?

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UPDATED ON DECEMBER 22ND 2013

5. I had an interview for a Walmart very close to our house in fact the closest one to us. It was for a seasonal position for the store so this was back in October already. First of all it was very unprofessional how long they made me wait for the interview but I didn't say anything. However it took them 30 min to find someone to interview me maybe more. The guy who interviewed me had no sense of humor, no reaction to what I said. He asked me the basic 5 questions I ALWAYS get at the stores when I interview (nearly have them memorized by now). And then didn't ask if I had any questions which I did I always do. He ended by saying. "I don't know if they will give you a second interview you don't have to wait around the store it could be after today if they call you. Some people wait around for a few hours. So we will call you." No kidding. Really? Man I would still be waiting because I was never called for a second one!

6. My most recent one was for a new grocery store "neighborhood market" opening 45 min from my house. It was not the best experience despite me getting so far with them. Because the store isn't open yet they have a room in this career center near by to where they will open in January. In the middle we sat waiting to interview me and someone two others. Also sitting there was people doing orientation eventually in the same room on the other side to the right. On the left was computers people doing training on them I guess? And our interviews done at tables. Well they made me and the other two people waiting for at least an hour to see them. I got two interviews actually. They gave me two and almost a third but couldn't as the guy who was going to do it was gone for the day. So they were going to set up a third but did not. So I guess that didn't work out. Truly I was there for 2 hours. And realized working that far from home wouldn't be worth it anyways. It would be difficult had I gotten that far. But I am grateful for two interviews and getting so close to a job. Just wish I hadn't wasted so much time down there and getting there (4hours about total).

Target yeah...not that kind of TARGET!

Target is one of those stores I both shop at a lot and still love. But I have never been able to get a job there. And I have tried a lot!

1. In Oceanside back in 2006 or 2007 unsure I tried for the one by our house. The great thing about them is at least they used to have you do the app on their computers and then call when you done. They still do this sometimes. But over the years they have changed you can do it at home online and then get called in. Sadly they didn't take me on but I really did try.

2. The one in Vista (ironic is for almost a year its the one we got to once a week after church now.) both me and my sister tried for. I remember doing the interview right there in their starbucks. And then not getting the job. They sent the little card in the mail telling me. It was right before we moved in 2007 about a month before. It was hard because I was kind of lying and not telling them I just needed a job for a month to get some more money.

3. More recently I tried for one in a near by city. I did the app online in 2011 around Christmas time. I was called in. I had my first interview and then waited around and had a second one. I didn't get the job of course. But boy was that a lot of work. Two interviews. I was so excited I thought for sure it meant a job. No it didn't. It just meant me being hopeful and only losing what I wanted so much.

That's all. I cant recall anymore right now. But if I do I will add them here...

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Updated on Nov 3rd 2013

4. My latest interview with Target was on Monday,October 28th 2013. It took place at the huge Escondido Target in the North County Mall! I had to go to the 3rd floor and I am unsure if I have been up there and go through the doors in electronics. The guy working there let me in with his *code* and pointed me to the desk. My interview was at 3:45 I arrived at 3:44. The girl told me they were in a meeting to wait by the door on the side and go sit down. I got confused and just stood. 10 min later she called me over said the meeting wasn't done and she could just do the interview. It was a very odd interview. Normally I think if it had been a manager or something I would have gotten 2 interviews like I did 2 years ago. But it was the desk gal and I am unsure if that is why it was odd. She asked me like a few regular questions why I want to work here, etc. Then a few things that I have done, how it turned out. But the annoying part was at the end she asked me the same question she began with why I wanted to work there? I got confused gave her a different sort of answer as I was unsure why she began and ended with the same question. This has NEVER happened before. I answered she was okay with that. Then said "we will be in contact". Um yeah didn't even ask if I had any questions which I hate. And I haven't heard back. So I am totally baffled as to what she meant by they'd be in contact little alone why I was asked that twice. The interview lasted about as long as I had waited. I was done in 10 min waited 10 min done in less than a half hour. I thought this would be two interviews and take much longer. Really confusing and still unsure if I got it...

Job Fairs...nothing like a regular fair

Taking another week to break from Job Interviews this week I am talking about all the job fairs I can remember going to in details or what not's. Here we go...

1. My first job fair I recall was the one that got me my first retail job. It was 1998 I was barely out of high school a few months and looking for work. The Block of Orange was opening up and held a job fair in the hotel near our house. It was a job fair just for the block sure not all kinds of jobs but still it was one and I had lots of interviews. I dropped of my resume (With only 2 jobs before me neither retail...). I talked to the pizza place, corner bakery, toys international, borders books and I'm sure a few more. Maybe even AMC unsure. It happened in I believe September 1998 in Anaheim, CA.

2. I cant recall going to Job Fairs while I lived in Orange County except for one that I dragged my sister to. It was around time I was in college or just out of it. So this one was between 2000 & 2005. It was at the stadium in Anaheim. I recall I didn't really get much out of it but some free items. You got to admit job fairs are great for free pencils, pens, notepads, etc as companies are dying to give you reminders of them for FREE just for showing up!

3. I did one more job fair I can recall in Orange County. I was fresh out of college. I remember I went up to some companies telling them I had a degree. I got the information for a news station in LA because I wanted to move there. I took their card and they promised to keep my resume on file. I cant recall when or where it took place just that detail.

4. Almost went to a job fair in Franklin, TN. Me and my sister had gathered some resumes up and were outside the building in a hotel. When some people came out and told us there was no point. We went in anyways they were right. Very few companies. But managed to get some free stuff including something free from Wendy's which was there looking for new workers.

5. My favorite job fair was in Mesa, AZ. I went for a broadcasting one. The reason I loved it wasn't that I walked away with a job. It was mostly broadcast companies tv and radio looking for interns some for jobs. I did apply for some. But it gave me the push to ask CSB if I could try again for an internship and they told me yes! If I hadn't gone to that I wouldn't have done that and wouldn't have interned in Summer 2011.

6. Went to a job fair in Mesa, AZ. This one I did alone. I rode the bus and the light rail the Mesa Library. I only ever saw downtown Mesa and that library one more time. This was the only time I saw the library. It was upstairs. I gathered with people and walked around. I got some free stuff. And some odd looks. Unlike in CA they wanted me to have more than just "retail customer service" for their jobs even the temp places. A bit discouraged I took my free stuff and left quickly.

7. My favorite AZ Job Fair ever was the one that we went to me and my sister middle of Summer in 2011. It gave me hope. I came away with lots of jobs to try for (and I made a HUGE effort to try for all kinds of jobs). But tons of free stuff lots of free pens and other things. Free coffee from Dunkin Donuts & Starbucks. I swear it was the best ever. Was exhausting. I never got a job out of it. I got close with a temp agency but they blew me off eventually. But still best job fair ever!

There ya go! I cant recall if I had any other job fairs over the years. But this is all I could recall. Back to regular job interview blog next weekend!

Claire's...

Claire's is one of those places I wanted to work at but was unsure because they pierce ears and I was always wondering if I would be okay being trained for this since everyone has to do it...

1. My first time interviewing with them was right here in our area at the Claire's in the Carlsbad Mall. The manager really liked me to the point that I think she was going to hire me. I was scared of the gun and because of that I didn't answer her call when she called me back. If I had who knows because I was almost positive this was a winner job interview!

2. I interviewed for the Claire's at our mall in Chandler AZ. The manager was a nice person and who knows if I would have gotten it. Had I been more confident telling her I was okay with jumping people who would be stealing till security came. Yeah that was a question. They get lots of people stealing and if I caught someone I was to keep them there till security came. "Are you comfortable with this..." um. Plus my A.D.D. was in over drive and I kept getting distracted by things since we was sitting in the mall by a store that seemed more interesting. Either way the job never happened for me...

Unsure if I have done any more interviews with the company I cant recall. Also I do continue to apply for jobs with the company knowing the whole ear thing I will try to be okay if ever given the chance to work with them...

Build a Bear...Or some other *animal*

Build a Bear is one of those stores I WANT to work at badly as I love buying stuff from them and know I would again and again. But I cant seem to get a job there like they are the forbidden treasure. I am unsure if I will ever get a job with them. But I have tried a lot over the years...

1. My first time trying for a job with them was at Build a Bear in Downtown Disney. I had just begun to work at Lego Store and they were not giving me enough hours so I was trying for a second job. I didn't think it would be bad. It was a large group interview of about 10 or more people. We gathered in the second story for our questions and got a heart at the end (the kind that goes in each animal I still have it). But sadly they did not take me on.

2. I tried for a job again with BAB when I was in TN. It was at the Coolspring Galleria in Franklin. I was trying for a regular job not a seasonal job. And they were hiring the Spring. I was so excited for the chance again. After all I had purchased two monkeys from them and really loved the store in general. Another group one but not as large. I sadly checked back a few weeks later and they had decided to not take anyone on for some reason they claimed I cant recall why.

3. My last time trying for the company was in Scottsdale, AZ. It was at the Scottsdale mall. Which was a large 3 story mall in the middle of the downtown area. I went there at Christmas time when my job at Bath & Body had stopped giving me hours and I needed a second job. It was a small group interview that we did on the bottom floor going down two sets to get there. There were about 3 of us there or maybe 4. Sadly they called me that night to tell me that I did not get hired on. Made me really sad.

Back in this area I am unsure if I will ever get a job at BAB. Only 2 malls have this store out here and app's are now done online. Neither are hiring. I wont stop going to the store sometimes to get a new plush monkey. But sadly it may be I will never work for one of the few companies I love so much but cant get a job with...

It's NO secret...Victoria Secret

I have tried to apply for VS a lot since TN where I did interview with them but with no success. That is for both CA and AZ. Oh well at least I have interviewed with them before!

1. First time was in Murfreesboro for the outlet mall called The Avenue. I was interviewing for the stock position. The girl who did my interview liked me so much she wanted to hire me on the spot! She ended up moving to another store. The reason I didn't get the job wasn't because I wasn't liked but she suddenly had to give the job to someone from another VS store transferring. But she promised to refer me to any other stores. I used her in my next time I interviewed but was not successful there either. This was the closest I ever came to getting a job at VS.

2. The second time I interviewed was at Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin. The job was at Christmas time. I was hoping to balance the job with my calendar kiosk one so I could make more money as the hours kept getting cut for me and it was not good especially that time of year. They were hiring a lot of people. But its a clothing store for thinner woman so I am guessing in the end even with the recommendation from the other manger as to why I didn't get the job there. But I did try.

Good experiences with my first interview will always give me hope and I will probably always apply with the company as long as I am trying to find a retail job whenever that stops I don't know...

Borders Books...you know the other bookstore before it left the planet in 2011...

First of all I worked for Borders books so this is one of those where I talk about OTHER interviews (although including successful interviews could be helpful I will not for now but might go back and do so later on).

1. My first time ever interviewing for Borders Books was when they were opening The Block of Orange (as it was called back then) in 1998. A new outdoor mall where I later would get my first retail job. I wanted a bookstore job so badly so I went to them to interview. But was sadly told I lacked any retail experience which is why they could not hire me...

2. When I moved to Arizona I tried for a Borders near us. The store was located in this parking lot by this ice skating rink we barely found it. I was not interviewing for the store but for their calendar kiosk Day by Day (before Day by Day got sold). It was late 2010 and I needed a job and I so badly wanted to work for the company. The interview went fine even though I had to RESCHEDULE it when something happened and the manager was not in on the day I was going to do it originally (its okay we saw the olive mill that day in Queen Creek all good!). Sadly they did not hire me but I will never know why. With ALL my experience both with calendars and the company I will never know why I was not taken on.

3. My third and last time interviewing for them came also in AZ. It was for a Borders far from our house about 40 min in Mesa. A nice mall I will never see again because I only saw it twice. The manager liked me enough to call me in for a café job. I had ZERO food experience in a café but she acted like at the time over the phone it was okay even though I didn't apply for the café. But when I got there for my first ever group interview with two other people I found they wanted experience. I was very upset because it was not easy to come that far for a job that would not take me on. It was a more stay for good job as the calendar kiosk wouldn't have been. And it took place a few weeks after my other failure one.

Honestly I didn't know my interview in Mesa would be the last ever as the company I loved tanked in 2011 and were gone for good before the years end :(

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Updated on November 10th, 2013:

4. I interviewed for Borders another time in Arizona. This time it was in Scottsdale. At the time I thought it was for their calendar kiosk Day by Day which is what I had applied for and was told. When I arrived the manager on duty didn't even know I was coming. So he had no real questions for me and even told me he was making up some questions as he didn't have my resume or anything. I ended up being interviewed for the store not the kiosk. I went upstairs to the café (yes it was two story). The interview was weird and felt odd. And it wasn't shocking they never called me back. I called them back but never got hired for the store or the kiosk! Sad but true.

B&N doesnt stand for Big & Nasty (but that was funny when I heard it ...)

My second retail job ever came from working at Barnes & Noble. I didn't ever have issues with the company persay. I am glad they are still around and hope they never go away now that Borders is gone for good. Only real big bookstore. I have worked at two different B&N but I have since and inbetween interviewed a few times hoping to get back on with the company. With no success as we can see it never ends well. For a nice company they tend to be a big snobbish and don't like the idea of taking back on former employees something I will never understand. I love B&N and hope to one day work for them again if the cards are played right...

1. After my first & second time working at the company I was interviewing at the one in Nashville, TN. It was at Opry Mills a fun little mall that got ruined by the Nashville flood in 2010 and sadly B&N never returned. I was new to the area and I was excited. The managed seemed to really like me. She loved I had worked twice with the company. It was a mistake I knew after mentioning my second time at B&N here in OS CA as it was not a good experience. For whatever reason despite an awesome interview I was never hired. I believe my former manager second B&N job decided to say stuff bad about me.

2. I had my first real interview with B&N that wasn't really an interview in TN before we moved out there. It was at a new store opening in Murfreesboro at this cute new outside mall that opened fresh in 2007. The manager never interviewed me but I talked to her in person. Then I called her a few times. I thought she was going to help me even when my current manager (see above) didn't want to transfer me. Turned out she didn't like me and was back talking me to my manager saying I was bugging her and she clearly didn't want to hire me. I never tried to get a job at that store even though I lived out there nearly 3 years and started using their wifi on a regular bases eventually.

3. All though I tried for another few B&N in TN none got back to me. I continued to apply when we moved to AZ finally one called me the one at the store near us. I was SO excited! It was in Chandler, AZ and I was so happy thinking this was it she would hire me. But the lady who interviewed me was really odd. She acted funny about me having not been with the company but one time (I stopped telling them about OS). She didn't like me and I wondered why she had bothered to call me in the first place. I was really disappointed with this interview! And of course she didn't take me on...

4. Not to give up I interviewed for B&N again in 2011 when we first moved back to our area in CA. It was at a B&N that was about half hour from our house. A seasonal job. They were taking on a few people. I was so excited I really wanted this job and I worked hard. The interview went alright. But again not impressed I had worked for the company before. So of course they didn't hire me. I was very disappointed!

I wanted to add I WONT give up on B&N. I love the company and want back on even if its just one more time. I will forever be sad. When I was told at Borders that B&N stood for Big and Nasty I laughed. But all the bad experience I have had trying for a job with them makes me question if they were always this way or things have changed. Times are tough for books. I am not big on electric books but since that's the way things are going who knows how long bookstores will be around. Here's to hoping I get a 3rd shot at B&N someday again!

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UPDATED SEPT 22nd 2013 WITH SOME NEW B&N AND ONE I FORGOT!

5. I interviewed for a B&N in AZ. I cant recall the city but I think it was probably Chandler maybe Queen Creek. I remember it was this B&N in this odd lot. My interview I thought went alright I was hopeful as always. After we hung out in the café played on the wifi for a bit on my ipod.

6. I got interviewed in August this year at a store in Mira Mesa. This was by far my WORST ever interview with the company. My old manager from OS is now working there and I guess she told them all about me. It was the first thing the girl who interviewed me brought up. It really upset me. They brought me 45 min from home to make fun of me. She didn't even ask me any kind of real questions. And within 45 min of being done they emailed me to say I wasn't hired. No kidding. I wouldn't have worked there anyways after I found that out!

7. I had an interview almost two weeks ago at the B&N in Temecula. Its about 30 min from our house. Small world. The manager who interviewed me knows one of the former bosses I had at my B&N job in Main Place mall. I think he left our store around 2003. She joked would he remember me I said he might. I had no idea he still with the company you just never know this far along after. Well the manager really did like me. I think she did. And since I haven't heard back I didn't get it I am hopeful I might still. Really want this one. Shall see. Stay tuned!

Sorry again for adding 3 but I thought it was important thanks for reading!!

Limited Too...now called *JUSTICE*

There are few stores out there that sale teen/kid stuff that I can say I have shopped in. I cant buy the clothes but Limited Too later changed to Justice is the exception for me. I haven't shopped there a lot but I *have* bought stuff at the store a few times now. Why? Not only do they sale teen fashion they sale cute stuff similar to stuff at Claire's. Maybe that is why I like them so much and have tried to get jobs at them for a while.

I have applied several times to them. They are now online. But I have only interviewed so far three times with them. I have been applying with them since they changed their name in TN. But I never interviewed with them till AZ.

1. My first came at Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin, TN. I really wanted them for my second job. I was working at Borders and going to school. My school took place on Tue & Thur evenings so I was limited by a job willing to have me work evenings ONLY all week and not at all on Tue or Thur. I ended up at Children's Place but I interviewed first at Justice. I am unsure but back then it might have still been Limited Too. Either way the interview went alright. They wouldn't have called me had they not been okay with my limited hours but they ended up not taking me so I went and agreed to Childrens Place instead. I held out at first because I was hoping they would call me back.

2. My second interview came from working at Chandler Fashion Mall. That was the city we lived in. I applied with them twice and got an interview finally shortly around the time I got hired at Bath & Body. They weren't giving me hours so I decided to try for a second job and there you go. The interview wasn't bad but they told me things I had never heard before. Not only do they sale teen stuff but they except their workers to "wear similar clothes to the one we sale" which really makes no sense. How do you get stuff like what they sale but not what they sale? I was disappointed to hear this and of course I didn't get the job. I don't have fashion sense and cant get clothing store jobs. I never knew they held such high standards!

2. Oddly enough I knew all that when I interviewed with them in Fall 2011. We had just moved back to CA and I was working to get a job hard. And I interviewed at one about 30 mint from our house. I remember one of the questions during the interview was it okay I worked so far from home and I was fine with it. The interview wasn't a bad one. I remember that. The girl was nice and understanding. But I didn't get hired even if they were hiring several people at the time...

Oh Justice I wont give up trying for a job with you no matter what. But it may never happen...

Oh LEGO of my LEGO

Before I started to work at LL I had a job at a Lego Store. I worked at the one in Anaheim at the downtown disney area from August 2004 to November 2006 only leaving because we moved out of the area. I was hired on the spot because the manager liked me. Its still one of my top favorite places to have ever worked. I had tons of friends. And when I left they gave me a cake and flowers I was so loved :) Although I am fb friends with some of my former co-workers I often wonder about those I never got back in touch with...

SO with that in my mind I have tried to get back on with the company a few times now.

1. In 2010 while living in AZ (they had NO lego stores in TN but do now) they opened a brand new Lego store up. Had I known what I found out afterwards I would have contacted my former store and the manager there was going to be at the job openings and I could have maybe gotten hired on. But anyways. The interviews were done in a group. My sister also interviewed but the manager was very interested in me. I was a former employee with a good standing record (I later learned this) and was very much rehireable. The interview went well enough he acted like he wanted to hire me. I worked hard to get my number from a check stub I still had, and then I worked to contact him again. But for some reason that I will never fully understand I was never able to get in contact with him. I tried him by phone and by email. But no one contacted me. By time I finally got someone to talk to me they had hired all the people they were going to. I was heart broken.

2. However I still had enough heart to try for the Lego Store by us. It was in the Chandler Mall for Holiday season. I went in there and interviewed. The interview went well. I even brought my number I still had. I was excited thinking they would take me on. But for some reason they decided not to contact me or hire me. The interview went well. I think they remembered me and thought I was a pest for trying for the first job few months before and that is why I wasnt hired on. Either way I gave up after that and didnt apply anymore with them.

Since then I have tried for a few other Lego Stores since I am back in CA. I am unsure yet if I will ever get back on with Lego. But I love Lego and will never forget the job I had and the impact it made on me. Even if I never get back on with one I will never stop loving Legos. Or forget the job I loved.

American Eagle (or AE)

First of all. Due to the fact I cant wear most of the clothes at clothing stores either cause it wont fit me or I cant afford it. And I dont have the best fashion sense I usually dont apply to clothing store jobs. I have made the exception over the years even won a few interviews but so far the only clothing store jobs I have had were at KIDS clothing stores! Where they sale clothes but I cant wear them for real and it doesnt matter. American Eagle their main line of clothes goes for teens. I am sure adults can wear them but I think they pretty much aim for teens and people who are just above teens. Twice I have interviewed for AE. __________________________________________________________________________________ 1. I interviewed the first time for AE when I was in Arizona. It took place at Tempe mall Arizona Mills so its an outlet mall. That means they sale clothes that are cheaper or at least out of date from other stores. There are outlets all over the country this isnt the first I had ever been in (I live in TN for near 3 yrs and loved to go to Opry Mills also an outlet mall). The interview was okay actually. Except the girl who interviewed me hurt her foot that day and I had to reschedule. When I came in she was still injured and that was part of the interview was talking about her injury. First they had me fill out some paperwork on their computer. I was pretty sure this meant I would get the job. She didnt ask me about fashion or anything. But it was recked because I got a phone call and guess what LEFT MY PHONE ON RING! It has never happened before or after for me this is a big no no. So that happened I didnt answer I just hung it up it wasnt important. But I never got called back. The girl went off on medical leave cause of her foot she had hurt she was gone for weeks. The person who replaced her I talked to them but they had no idea who I was and when I didnt hear back I gave up. _______________________________________________________________________________ 2. My latest interview with AE was at our mall here in Carlsbad last month. You know its not going well when the interview last 5 minutes but that is what happened. I came in. One of her questions was where I got my fashion sense from I said magazines (not a total lie I do read fashion mags just dont follow fashion). She wanted to know a thing I do for fun and was excited about that I volunteer and sometimes do 5K races. I even told her about the hot chocolate run which she had a friend do. Well the interview was short and I was done. Told in 1 wk if I dont hear back I didnt get it. She liked me so I thought it went okay. A week later she didnt call me back. ________________________________________________________________________________ Will I ever give up with AE? Till they give me a reason why not to I guess I wont!

Children's Place (the latest, greatest and inbetween for this one...)

Today is April 27th 2013 a Saturday. I interviewed for CP at the CB mall near us. First of all I have NEVER interviewed for this store. I did apply in 2011 for them they have gone to online app's like so many stores. I did not get interviewed back then but I got interviewed today. My interview first of all was supposed to be at 1:30pm, but the manager went to lunch so it wasnt until 2. I made do sitting in the mall and then walking around the store. Noting how much bigger this store is then the one I used to work at. Finally I got to meet the manager. Shes a nice lady and I really enjoyed this interview. I hope I didnt talk too much. I had a few interesting questions. One where she asked me how often in the past 6 months have I used an unauthorized discount at a store. I told her never because that isnt right I wouldnt do that. I did get to explain about LL policy on that one. Also was odd when she asked me which store of all I worked at had the most volumn in money. Unsure if telling her why I left my last CP was a good idea. Also unsure if I should have told her the baby whisperer story but I was trying to win her over because that is what I was called by a customer at the last CP I worked at. Interesting was she told me I could wear what I wanted to the job including what I wearing now "you can wear that cute outfit you wearing now". Um I didnt know it was cute till then just a plain old black nice pants, nice shoes, and my purple shirt my typical interview outfit. Back when I worked for CP a whole 5 years ago (my record of that may be gone for good after 5 years it usually is gone from the system) we had to wear black shirts, black shoes and black pants. We can wear jeans, nice shirts and solid shoes. Also she said to me "you have a lot of experience." I always wonder if you can have TOO much experience for retail. I have over 9 years. If I worked this year all year it will be 10! Not solid working mind you but still... I will know by next Fri if I get it. Its not many hours 0 to 20hrs on calls. That is what I had when I left CP and it was like 0 for a solid 5 weeks till I realized I wasnt really working at the job I wasnt even on the sheet anymore so I assumned... ________________________________________________________________________________ I interviewed for CP in AZ at the Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe. I dont know the month nor the date but it was sometime in 2011 Summer of. I dont think it was winter 2010 I am unsure for sure but pretty sure it was 2011. First of all I had a bit too much sugar going into the interview. I will admit that now. Otherwise I wouldnt have committed so much on the way they now dress, headsets, or the size of the store. The size I managed to mention more than once. Yeah thats not a good sign to do that. Its an outlet mall so its different the regular CP stores. But they dress the same. I know I liked her and she seemed to like me. But the lack of holding back I think is what cost me this interview and job. Oh well I did try! ______________________________________________________________________________ March 2008 I interviewed for the job at the Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin, TN. This is the first and only time I worked for CP. I interviewed with the assistant manager. She seemed to like me. She wanted a hard worker not afraid to climb ladders. I felt bad telling her I wasnt afraid of those even though I have a small height issue that I realized around that time. Yeah.

Since I got hired on I can tell you about the job a little bit (although most of this will come out in my retail memoir someday). A few days after my interview it was a good one I felt. She was okay with me working evenings, not on Tuesdays or Thursdays. That was my two big things. I was in school at the time and working at Borders Books. So I needed a second job for extra hours to make ends meet and CP in the end fulfilled that. The manager called me and said they wanted to take me on. I had to think about it. No other jobs were offering and i needed more work so I took it eventually.

I didnt like but didnt mind the black out fit. I usually kept my black pants on under my work pants for my other job when I worked both. I would walk from the bookstore to the mall about a thirty minute walk but not bad. I would then usually just do stock. I will never understand why I was only put on register even though I was trained I was only used on register about 3 times total. I stocked the clothes (something I got to talk about today) and helped with the fitting room (another thing talked about). I got to be there for the crazy sales sometimes. I got lots of call in shifts there towards the end. I went from 3 shifts a week maybe 1 or 2 call ins to just call ins and finally in August end of and September I was not on the schedule 5 weeks in a row. I would call to see if I was people there who didnt know me would be who is this. My name wasnt on there so I wasnt even on the schedule. I never quit really. I just was let go without knowing I assumned. I stopped checking and noone got back to me. I usually dont talk about CP unless its a clothing store job I want because the lack of time there and an ending left so open. (never done this before nor after ending a job) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ I like clothing stores btw that are for kids. I dont usually try for regular stores because they want you to be buying their clothes and I'm not into fashion. I do apply for those (as you will see in soon interviews) but I like kids best and the 2 times I have worked for kids clothes I enjoyed it a lot because I got to help moms with kids and I love kids!