At work I interview a lot of people. As the store manager it’s part of the job requirements. A manager must staff his store. I also do second interviews. Other store managers interview an applicant, then send the applicant my way for a second opinion. I’ve done some interviews recently where, quite honestly, I’d haveContinue reading “On Interviewing”
Tag Archives: Work
On Talking about Star Wars
I wasn’t impressed with Revenge of the Sith. Indeed, I was bored out of my skull by the film. I generally don’t tell people that, though. I manage a video game store. My customers have seen the film multiple times, and it’s not unusual for three or four each day to rave about how awesomeContinue reading “On Talking about Star Wars”
On People I Don't Resemble
This afternoon at the store I was setting up a display of system boxes in the front window. The boxes should be stacked one atop the other, but I like artistic flourishes with pyramids and spirals, so as I worked on putting together a PlayStation display the front door opened and a guy walked in.Continue reading “On People I Don't Resemble”
On My Day
Yesterday. Got to work at nine. Left work at midnight, fifteen hours later. Today? Probably the same. I’ve started mucking with the body chemistry. Two cups of coffee already, and probably a whole pot once I get to work. At least, I’ll brew a whole pot. I feel like a Mack truck is running lapsContinue reading “On My Day”
On Inventory
It’s done. My last inventory at the store was a year and a week ago. It’s not the longest span I’ve had between inventories–that was seventeen months back in 2001–but it’s the longest I’ve had since I came down to North Carolina. Previously, I’d been averaging a physical inventory every eight months or so. RuleContinue reading “On Inventory”
On the Deep End
It’s been an odd day. Today, this morning, I found out that my company has been sold to our major competitor. Other managers spent the morning calling, seeking my insight. I had no insight. Over the short term, I expect no significant changes. Over the next six months as our systems merge into theirs weContinue reading “On the Deep End”
On Life
I’ve had to fortify myself with Guinness. I’m on my third in the last forty minutes. It’s been one of those days. The thing is, today didn’t start out that way. I haven’t been sleeping recently. Mainly it’s the weather–I’ve not been able to get comfortable at night. Last night, though, I managed to sleepContinue reading “On Life”
On Friday
Oh, am I tired. I worked a half-day today, leaving at 2:30, because I felt like I’d hit a physical wall. In a sense I had–I volunteered to scan at an inventory last night at a story in Durham, very much last minute, and while the stock was very well prepared the scanning itself tookContinue reading “On Friday”
On the Things Employees Say
“Have you seen the Helen Keller quarter?” asked my employee. “Yes,” I replied with a shrug. What had this to do with anything? He said nothing for a few moments. Then, “There’s a Helen Keller quarter?” A bizarre turn. “She’s on the Alabama quarter.” “Helen Keller is on a quarter?” Now thoroughly confused by thisContinue reading “On the Things Employees Say”
On a Customer's Strange Request
A guy walks into the store. Black tee-shirt bearing a logo, trucker hat, mid-twenties, average height and build. He walks maybe ten feet into the store, stops, looks at the display fixture there. I greet him, ask him if he’s looking for something. “I wanted something with pictures of angels and demons fighting.” We sellContinue reading “On a Customer's Strange Request”