I first received an email to let me know a phone interview would be happening within the next few days. A day later, I received a call from a regional center that screens applicants and asks basic questions regarding why you want to work there and how you would be an asset to the company. (All about customer service.) If you get through that interview, your name is sent to the store where you applied, and they call to set up an in person interview with the Assistant Manager that you would be working under. It was nearly a week before I was called.
The in-person interview was pretty easy. I am very over-qualified for the position, so some of my questions were tailored to asking me why I would want to work there. Questions were asks about how I would handle difficult customers, situations if they were out of a product, if I ever researched things outside of the job to stay on top of products, etc. I was then asked to give examples and detailed descriptions for answers.
A little over a week later, I was called for a second interview with the store manger, which essentially means you have the job. He only asked the questions, "What will you bring to the Home Depot?" and "Are you wiling to deliver exceptional customer service?"
I worked for Home Depot before, making a nice hourly wage, which he asked about (~$15/ hour as a Designer). He said he could only pay me $9.20 an hour for the associate position, and I might be able to move to a KD position, but I wouldn't make anywhere near what I was making before. I accepted the position, but began to reconsider after I ran all the numbers and talked to others about the way PT associates are scheduled. (By the way, they are only hiring PT now, to avoid giving FT benefits, unless it is a specialty position.) It had been over a week since the drug test and background check were run before they called. I talked to the human resource guy, and informed him that I was unable to make the numbers work (to pay for daycare, etc.), who replied by hanging up on me. I understand they spent money on the drug/ background check, but I also lost 2-3 days of work from my current job, gas, and time for the interview process, which I wouldn't have wasted time on, had I known they would pay me barely over minimum wage for my education, skills, and knowledge. I've known people to start at HD with none of those things for 10.50 an hour.
Their response told me everything I need to know about the company and all the reasons why I wouldn't want to work for them. I am a frequent customer, and will take my business to other stores now, as their behavior was completely unprofessional. Personally, I wanted to walk out when he offered $9.20 an hour, but I remained professional and tried to make it work.
