I received a message on Indeed from a Target recruiter from Minnesota on February 26th, with a link to set up a phone interview. On March 5th, I interviewed with the recruiter for about 53 minutes. We had a lovely conversation about my background, the position they were looking to fill, among other things. She then said she would like to set up an in-person interview with the ETL in store.
On March 8th, I then went into the store, and interviewed with the ETL of the store, and the HR executive team leader. We talked for about an hour. The interview had a laundry list of STAR oriented questions that were basically telling me to "tell them about a time" during different work scenarios. They aren't basic either, they get pretty intricate. My advice is to just try to be general and ALWAYS make it a victory story.
They had me wait in the break room while they mulled me over, and said that for the SENIOR team leader position I would be required to interview with the district manager (shudder). They said they would love to have me on the team, and would reach out to me about the district manager interview.
On March 11th, I received a phone call from the HR ETL, and she wanted me to go in LAST MINUTE, 20 minutes south to interview with the district manager. (I was irritated). I said yes, and made my way down to interview. This interview was very similar to the first one, but the line of questioning (more STAR oriented questions), was VERY difficult, and if you haven't been a manager in retail before, you better make up a story, because it was VERY specific. We talked at length about the company. My advice is to have feedback, bring ideas to the table, and ask questions. Ask about sales goals, and try to pitch yourself AS the right choice.
They said they would contact me about next steps, so I waited a whole day, and on the late Morning of the 12th, I received a call from the store to extend me the job offer, and I accepted.
14 days, 3 interviews. My overall impression was positive, as this was the first job interview I have ever done that required me to do multiple interviews, not just one. My advice is to start writing down STAR questions and detailed answers where you and your team always come out better than going in.
Negotiations need to be done early. You'll get paid a good base, but your job offer rate will correspond closely to that of which matches your experience and the lengthy preliminary phone screening.
