I had applied the previous year, but was rejected without an interview. I applied again online in early August at about 11pm. The very next day I got a call for a telephone interview. I was caught off-guard and had no time to really prepare and research the company. Questions included "Why do you want to work here?" "What do you know about the company?" "Tell me about your past job roles." Because I was unprepared, I panicked and got nervous. The interview didn't go smoothly. I was told that I would be contacted within a week.
A week later, I received a rejection e-mail. I was so disappointed. A few days later, after thinking hard about it, I decided that I wasn't going to give up. So I responded to the rejection e-mail that I got, and very eloquently told the recruiter that I was the right person for the job. I attached my resume to the e-mail and asked professionally, without sounding desperate, for another chance.
Two weeks later, my phone woke me up at 9am, and it was a recruiter. She asked to set up an interview with me the next week. I researched hard, and prepared. I went to the interview and I was interviewed by two of the nicest, most laid back people I've ever met. They asked questions similar to the telephone interview, and others including "What would you do when the store was not very busy?" "Give a time a manager gave you feedback you thought was unfair." I gave them my availability, and ended the interview on a strong note. I made sure to e-mail them thank you notes a day after.
Over a week later, I got another rejection e-mail. But this time, they explained further. They thanked me, and said that my only problem was my availability. They also said that if my availability opens up, I should definitely reapply. So a few days later, I changed my class schedule (which was easy, since it was September and we were just enrolling in courses) and I e-mailed them with a new availability. They called me again to set up another meeting/interview for the following week.
At the final meeting/interview, I was asked a few more questions, and was job offered, and I accepted.
So long, but so worth it.