I applied online. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Eric Javits (Long Island City, NY) in June 2020
Interview
I was let into their warehouse where I filled out an application packet. After I completed that, I met with Eric and his partner, Di. They were very cordial and asked me about myself, my past experience, my skills, and my goals for the future. They told me that the job I was applying for was intended to be part time, but could be made full time if I was willing to do additional tasks. I was very open to this idea as I explained to Eric during the phone screening that I was only interested in a full time job. They let me know that not only did they need someone to help assist customers, but also to create systems to help them get organized and essentially someone to assist with business operations. They also wanted someone that was willing to help in anyway they could and never say "I can't do that", from what I understood. Their warehouse was showing signs of them beginning to organize their products with a system that was "idiot proof", but about half of the facility was a complete mess (random boxes everywhere). After a short while, it was clear that they wanted me onboard as they believed that I was "over qualified" and asked when I could start. I let them know that I was currently working part time and had other interviews lined up, so I asked them for the standard two weeks. Di kind of pressured me to start earlier, wanting me to come in and begin working part time. She was somewhat persistent, but Eric understood where I was coming from and agreed that a two weeks notice was fair. We scheduled a time to set up a Zoom meeting with their CEO and parted ways.
I got offered a better position before our Zoom meeting, so I did not move forward with them. Truthfully, I decided not to pursue this opportunity within a day of our in-person meeting for a few reasons. I felt that what they were asking for in their job description was very different from what they were asking of me during our meeting. It seems like they really need someone to manage their business for them and get everything organized, and that's just not what a CSR normally does. Had I known the extent in which they needed someone to pick up their pieces, I don't think I would've applied, or at the very least I would have asked for a much higher salary. I also felt that their general attitude, while pleasant during our introduction, could potential go sour based on some of the comments they made about their current employees. I could be totally wrong there, but that was what my gut was telling me.
I think once they hire a dedicated manager of business operations, get more organized, and refrain from saying anything negative about their current employees, this could be a good place to work.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Do you have experience creating systems to follow?