I applied in-person. The process took 3 days. I interviewed at HomeGoods (Roseville, CA) in Oct 2010
Interview
To get hired you have to turn in your application to the store. You won't be allowed to request speaking with management due to the high application rate, but don't worry they will get and go over your application. Several days after I turned in my application I was called for an interview.
He went over my previous job history and asked me some "What to do if..." situational questions. Afterwards he told me his expectations, amount of hours to expect, and what the store is about. Home Goods is notoriously easy to get a job at so don't stress; all you have to do is show you're personable, a good worker, and have common sense. Relate any previous experience. Afterward I started to work here some employees told me their interviews were basically a casual chat where the manager just wanted to get to know them.
After 3 days of waiting I got an offer for the job with paid orientation the next week. Most people however only have to wait 1-2 days for an offer. If you've interviewed here and haven't received an offer after a week tops then most likely they have moved on to someone else. They don't call to let you know if you haven't received the job.
Tips:
Turn in your application early in the day; you're more likely to hand in your application face to face with a manager and it'll be slow enough to where they may chat with you for a minute.
Even when you're just turning in an application, dress nicely. A guy who came in to "check up" didn't end get an interview because the manager thought he was too casual with a sleeveless shirt. Your outfit doesn't have to be professional but a sleeved shirt with no big logos and slacks will get you that interview if you do happen to turn in your application to a manager.
Have as open of a schedule as possible.
Play up your work experience. They took at your past jobs/tasks and they will hire you for experiences.
If you don't have experience just be friendly, confident, and show you're reliable <----(we have a problem with quite a few employees when it comes to this quality). Many employees start off with little of no experience.
I applied online. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at HomeGoods (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Interview
Extremely easy and stress free, went in there much more prepared and nervous than I had to be. Didn't feel very traditional interview style felt much more like a conversation...a little awkward at first but then would get off on tangents about random stuff and laugh about being so far off track.
They first called me on the phone to schedule an interview. I went in and it was very casual, we just sat inside the store. Very casual, tell me about yourself questions.
Received a phone call for an interview. Answered basic interview questions like strengths and weaknesses, availability, and discussed pay. We discussed responsibilities and expectations and why I’d want to work there. Overall, it was an easy process.
