Tillys In Store Visual Merchandiser interview questions

The interview process consisted of two interviews, one with the district visual merchandising manager and the other with the district manager. Overall it was a very comfortable and they were genuinely interested in what I had to say.

This is a great company that is marketed toward the active "alternative" sport types. Skaters, surfers, BMX, cross, motocross, band, etc, etc.... I have shopped at Tilly's since the 80s and now my kids are shopping there too. So you can guess how old I am. I applied for the Asst. Manager or Visual Merchandising position online at the company site and via email. I have many years of retail experience and I am also a freelance artist with administrative skills. I sent in my resume for both Asst. Management & Visual Merchandiser. I was surprised to find myself in a group interview in the middle of the local mall food court (even though the store was not located in the mall) with several teens applying by application for sales associate. I was given the same questions as the teens with the focus on my "art" and how fun it must be. I was never asked about my administrative skills, my design skills, or even my retail background. I feel that I was dismissed immediately due to my age. I understand that they want young faces and by no means do I look old or elderly, however, I think that my skills were dismissed. It's too bad because I think that in both positions that I would have been a great team leader for the younger set as well as someone who could relate to those coming in to buy for their kids and who are spending the real money.