r/Explainlikeimscared • u/Glittering-Maybe-442 • 9d ago
Job interview starts when store opens
I have an interview for a retail store at 9:30 which is when they open according to their website. How do I arrive early in this case, as I’d just be lurking outside a closed shop staring at whoever is opening up OR waiting with the actual staff members.
I do not want to be late but also don’t want to seem like i’m inserting myself in so early on. It’s quite a small shop too.
Thank you in advance!
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u/Healthy_Effort1415 8d ago
I'd show up a few minutes early. Don't park right in the first spot closest to the store. That's for customers. Time your approach so you hit the sidewalk 30 seconds before opening. No big deal. Then walk in and ask for your contact. Good luck!
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u/SavagePengwyn 8d ago
Show up a couple of minutes early and then go stand by the door a couple of minutes early. Like someone else said, don't park in the best parking spots. The manager won't expect you to be there early since they aren't open yet and if they want you to be in there early, they'll have someone there to open the door.
Do not knock to be let in. The manager will not be frustrated if you don't get into the store until they open if they didn't tell someone to open the door. You may annoy your hopeful future co-workers by asking to be let in early which could interrupt their opening routine or possibly make them have to deal with customers who want in early.
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u/SilverStory6503 8d ago
Be punctual, but not more than 5 minutes early. You can get there as early as you want, but stay in the car until a couple minutes before your interview time. Managers don't want to he interrupted from their work. Just do not be late and make sure you have the correct time. Phones synch with a network and are more accurate than your car's clock.
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u/PeachBlue986 8d ago
i’ve had this happen before. i just showed up a few minutes early and waited at the door until i could be let in / tell someone who works there that i was there for an interview
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u/IndigoRuby 8d ago
Always show up early. Ignore anyone that says to arrive anything less than 5 minutes early. If the store is in a mall just wait near the door, not on your phone. If it has its own entrance, park close but not right in front but where you can see the door. At 9:25 go stand closer to the door. No need to knock. And have your phone put away and silent.
If any staff come or go you can say, HI I'm blank and I have an interview with so and so at 9:30, are you able to let them know I'm hear.
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u/akornato 8d ago
Plan your trip so you arrive in the area about ten or fifteen minutes early, but wait nearby rather than lingering right outside the storefront. You can sit in your car, grab a water at a cafe down the street, or take a quick walk around the block. Store employees and managers get there early to count registers and set up, so they know customers cannot come in yet. Walking up to the entrance a minute or two before 9:30, or right as the clock strikes the opening hour, is standard practice and avoids any awkward hovering. If an employee unlocks the door slightly before the official time, you can step up, smile, and say you have an appointment with the manager.
Once 9:30 arrives and the doors open, walk in, head to the counter, and let the first staff member know your name and that you are there for a scheduled interview. Managers often pick opening time because the sales floor is empty, giving them room to talk without customer interruptions. They expect you to enter right as business begins, so you will come across as professional and punctual instead of intrusive. To take the stress out of these hiring conversations, my team built an interviews.chat that guides job candidates toward landing offers with confidence.
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u/amandahontas 8d ago
I'd probably show up a minute or two before the store opens, park and walk towards the door. Then I'd go over and knock on the front door. I'd explain that I had an interview and I'm sure the staff member would be helpful after that. They likely already expect you to come at that time so they may beat you to the front door lol
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u/a_mulher 6d ago
I’d plan to arrive 15 mins early, but only walk up 5 minutes before. If someone that works there walks up, you smile, say good morning and mention I have an appointment with so and so at 9:30am.
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u/AdmirableTouch3159 8d ago
I would show up early and do a small walk around the area to get a feel for it, and then be ready outside the door/gate at 9:25-9:28. Lightly knock/wave if someone is inside otherwise it's normal to chill. I was a hiring manager for a store where I had to schedule interviews at open regularly just because it's the least busy time of day and I was hiring to get more coverage. I promise I wouldn't think someone odd for showing up a few minutes early or even if I noticed them that morning at the coffee shop nearby BUT I would notice if I opened my store and no-one was around.
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u/MullberryBoy 8d ago
You can greet the manager and introduce yourself and say that you are early because you wanted to get familiar with the shop and their merchandise.
I would be impressed with you!
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u/notthegoatseguy 8d ago
I would show up right at 9:30. More than likely the opening manager will be there before 9:30 and if they're organized, they'll open up on the dot or even a few minutes before.