Welcome to Gaia! ::

Well, now I think I know why I never got called back when we lived with my boyfriend's mom. She lives way out in the middle of nowhere, which probably set me back a lot. The fact that I have no formal job experience meant I didn't have a lot to offer that would make them choose me despite living so far. But I know it was an issue, because in both interviews I had (out of over 100 applications sent out), they brought that up specifically. "Oh, wow, you live way out there, don't you? Hrm."

The first job I apply to here, and five days later, I get a call to set up an interview. Petsmart! Pet Care Associate. It's on Wednesday, so I'm going to be doing a lot of preparing.

I've heard that working in big-box pet stores like Petco and Petsmart aren't exactly the best jobs for people who really care about animals. First is the stores that don't give their animals the best quality of care because they're looking after their bottom line. Less than ideal cage conditions, things like that. Second is universal to all stores, and that is having to let someone, who has no business ever looking after a living thing, walk out of that store with an animal in hand. Another issue I've heard is people having to recommend products they would never give to their own animals.

But I need a job, and out of every one I've applied for, I think I'm most qualified for this one. I'm not entirely confident in how much I know, but I also know that I know more than I think I do. I mean, at least 75% of my day is spent here, reading about all of your animals and how you guys care for them. I don't have everything memorized, but if I did get the job, all I would need is a little internet refresher course and I could probably handle most of the average pet owner's questions.

Oooh, I'm so excited. I'm not even nervous for the interview, I'm just excited. Really strange considering my social anxiety, but I've been soo, sooo lucky that interviews are the one situation I can manage to push it aside and do what needs to be done. I have a few gems that I've been chewing on for MONTHS and MONTHS, mostly while stalking the career/facebook page of this exotic pet store.

Now I just have to aggregate a big list of questions that might be asked and drill into my head the basics of everything I want to cover. Then I'll come up with formulated answers, but that's more so I'm familiar with how I want to say it rather than so I can memorize specific things to say. So my recall will be better, but it won't sound like I'm reading from a script.

Also, I just bought an awesome shirt that shows off my beautiful new curves from losing almost 30lbs. When paired with the right pants, it looks professional but also cute. Howeeveerr, I can also put on my skirt and sandals and feel like a real woman. If I didn't feel great about this interview before, I sure as heck do now!

Really?! I had no idea that there were stores out there that actually denied people pets. I mean, I've heard stories of small pet shops doing it, but you tend to hear the opposite from big-box stores. xp

Though I have to admit, if I was asked that, I might wonder if it's a trick question. I would probably first explain that I would rather educate than outright deny them a pet, but if it became clear that the animal's welfare would be in danger and they refused to learn how to care for it, then that animal's welfare would take precedence over the person who wanted it.

That way I don't sound like I'm one of those people who jumps down people's throats for, say, buying the wrong kind of food, I'm still trying to work with the customer, but I ultimately won't let animals go to obviously abusive homes. But too, that's what I would actually try to do. So. Haha.

Yeah, I figured that. Some managers are in it to make money while others got into that specifically because they care about animals.

Thank you! I really hope I get it. Seems like a nice place for me to start out, because I'm already halfway familiar with everything. I'm pretty sure I've been to that Petsmart before. I don't quite remember (they all blend together), but at the very least, I've never had any pet store stick out to me as particularly bad quality. I don't see any bad reviews for it, either. So that's a good sign. lol

Cashiering isnt so bad!

If you're getting drug tested, and they're talking to you about orientation, chances are, you got the job wink

Ahhh, I'm so excited. redface My roommate and my boyfriend were both asking me questions about rats, and I could answer every single one easily and back it up with experience. I could recommend specific products, too.

The only thing I have to do now is refresh my memory about other animals. This weekend I want to study up for the kinds of animals they have in the store so I'm prepared to answer basic questions about them (e.g. what they eat, how to set up their cage, and things like that). Then I'll go in-depth and maybe learn how to care for them almost as well as I know how to care for my rats. It's a bit different from actually having them as pets (I won't really have the experience to refer to like I do with my rats), but I'll be able to answer questions.

I'm just waiting for the call. I just hope my social anxiety doesn't come back and cause me to have a meltdown the first time I see a customer and have to gather the courage to walk up to them and ask if they need any help. Or the first time someone asks me something and I don't know the answer. Or the first time I run into someone with a chip on their shoulder and they decide that I, as a lowly store monkey, am their whipping post.

I'm not sure. That would be nice if they do. xd My orientation is on Monday, so we'll see then. I'm still interested in learning things on my own. Who knows, I might learn more in-depth things on the internet so I can explain them better.