Anyone a charity shop manager?

tiff

Just wondered if anyone here is a charity shop manager, or area manager I can ask for interview advice. I have an interview this week. I have been volunteering in a charity shop with the aim of getting a job as assistant manager or manager for the last year.

I have found in the past that both charity shop interviews that I've been for have been more of a relaxed style, rather than the competency based questions I was expecting so more like tell us all about you, what youve done and why this job which led on to natural questions. This will be my first managers interview though so wondered on specific questions that might come up.

Savvy_Sue

I'd expect some 'what if' questions: what if two volunteers fall out with each other, what if a volunteer isn't complying with shop policies, what if a volunteer is consistently late or doesn't turn up. But that is from a position of no knowledge!

salfordgirl

Do your research into the charity, different ways they raise funds, and exactly what they aim to do with funds raised.

As well as any "principles" they like to abide by. Have they made any news recently? What do other people think that the charity do?

Possibly look at ways you could improve the takings of a shop, what are the best sellers, books, clothes etc?

jobbingmusician

I used to manage a whole chain of charity shops. The most important things I looked for from shop managers were the following:

- awareness of the principle of allowing only good quality stock in the shop (if in doubt, chuck it out)
- stock rotation - dating all stock and ditching it after sell by date. (Some charities have 'bargain shops' to accept stuff that hasn't sold)
- good shop display skills, awareness of colour coding stock.
- warm hearted with an ability to recruit and inspire volunteers
- awareness of fashion trends and knowledge of labels
- ability to keep track of the money and be reliable in reporting to the charity.

PS - Almost guaranteed question 'how would you go about increasing donations?'

HTH - JM

tiff

Thank you everyone. I did find a guide to volunteer management online which has helped. Thanks jm, I now have a list of suggestions for increasing donations, just need to remember them all!