Can someone please help with charity shop interview??

michellen34

Hi Everyone,

I've been a stay at home Mum for quite a long time now, and recently started doing voluntary work for a charity shop. I really like the work environment and applied to Scope for an assistant manageress vacancy, I have the interview tomorrow and I am so nervous I feel like I'm going to mess it up. Has anyone got any advice please on interviews and what I could be asked? I'm really stuck on what to say for 'why do you want the job' I just can't seem to come up with anything that doesn't sound stupid! I've researched the company but nothing is sticking in my head.
Any advice would be great please and also how I can stop myself feeling SO nervous.

Thanks in advance,

Michelle.

michellen34

anyone please x

MikeAUK

Find out about the charity and mention why you believe it to be very valuable.
Maybe you feel a sense of pride working in such an establishment?

Valli

You've applied for the vacancy because, having been a volunteer you like the set up; you feel this job is well within your capabilities and offers scope (sorry couldn't resist) for further advancement in the future. You would hope that you could further develop your own potential while working there which would benefit both you and the charity (eg supervising voluntary staff and encouraging people to donate quality goods). You understand the importance and significance of goodwill as you need to maintain and support both your volunteers and your donors; a charity shop is unlike any other retail environment in that it relies so much upon goodwill and the integrity and tact of the paid staff. You think that gift aid is a fabulous idea and if it isn't being 'done' in your shop you would like to explore the possibility of encouraging regular donors who are tax payers to sign up for gift aid thus benefitting the charity.
You believe in the ethos of scope because (insert why scope and not, say oxfam).
Just goes to prove though, the benefits of volunteering.
I have NO personal experience but that's what I would say...
HTH and very good luck and, of course, do let us know.

Gift Aid link in case

bumblebee23

^ everything they said!

michellen34

Thank you so much for the advice everyone, it's great!! :T Feeling a little more confident now. Going to get my DD to sit and quiz me tonight lol,

Thanks again, and yes I'll let you know ( keep your fingers crossed for me )

x

MoaningMyrtle

Scope shops are brilliant!! they are the best Charity Shops by far. The only thing I can add is to show enthusiasm at the interview, this is one of the most important qualities to have at an interview, IMHO.

Good Luck!!

michellen34

Thank you MoaningMyrtle (love the name), I just have to get over the nerves or i'll totally flunk it, nothing is sinking in tonight either argh! lol
I'll let everyone know how I get on, either way x

Comyface

If you think you're likely to forget what you've researched or what you want to say/ask, how about jotting down a few salient points on a piece of paper and keeping it in your pocket/handbag?

If you go blank you could then just say sorry, blame it on the nerves and ask if they'd mind you getting it out. At least they'd then know you had researched and thought about it seriously beforehand. And, the fact that you know it's there in your bag as a back up, could help you relax a bit more so you'd be less likely to forget and need it anyway.

Hope you get it.

michellen34

ComyFace...thank you.....I didn't know you could do that?! Off to do that now, Thanks again x

Savvy_Sue

C'mon, how did it go?