Unpredictable Interview for Sales/Customer Service/Greeter Position at ‘At Home’ Becomes Classic Case of Bait and Switch.
I filled in the application online and received a phone call about 7 days later with the offer of an interview later in the week. The interview was due to unforeseen circumstances cut short to no more than 15 minutes.
The Store’s Manager conducted the interview. He quizzed me fairly thoroughly on all of my most recent employment and on any similar employment in the retail business detailed on my resume. His questioning placed a particular emphasis on the specific tasks that would be required by his company and my experience and my suitability. It wasn’t until midpoint in the interview, that it became clear he was not discussing the position as advertised online. When asked, he acknowledged they had decided to forgo hiring for the Sales/Customer Service position based on changed financial objectives due to budget difficulties, but a warehouse stock position was available and that was what we were discussing.
It was a textbook example of bait and switch. Advertising one position online and then switching the job description and title during the interview. His focus on making clear the nature of the work was not surprising, given that the huge store with its gigantic selection and massively sized merchandise was something for a professional muscleman or wrestler, not for a professional salesman. I interrupted the interview and politely excused myself stating that I was not qualified to work as a warehouse stocker.