On-the-spot hiring: Should I worry?

Page 1 of 1 [ 6 posts ] 

raisedbyignorance
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Posts: 2,225
Location: Indiana

23 Jan 2011, 11:25 pm

So my sister is dragging to me to a nearby KFC/Taco Bell that's doing on the spot hiring for team members. I'll still need to apply, get interviewed and all of that. They actually had an on the spot hiring day a few weeks ago that I considered going to but I forgot.

Considering that they're doing two of these hiring days in a single month I worry. My biggest worry is that they're so understaffed that even if I do get hired I will be overwhelmed or they will make me work way beyond my hours. I had to endure this understaffing nightmare at Disney World when I did the College Program so I know how stressful it can be. I've never worked in a real fast food establishment outside of college. I really just want to do part time shifts. I don't think I can handle more than that. I'm comfortable just having a little something to pay off my credit card debt.

What do you think? Will I be overwhelmed if they're that desperate for workers?



Dantac
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 21 Jan 2008
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,672
Location: Florida

23 Jan 2011, 11:33 pm

a job is a job and in a way the fact that its a fast food place means that its not really a 'job' that counts in your resume... so if it gets too stressful you can simply quit.



AardvarkGoodSwimmer
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Posts: 7,665
Location: Houston, Texas

24 Jan 2011, 5:44 pm

raisedbyignorance wrote:
. . . or they will make me work way beyond my hours. I had to endure this understaffing nightmare at Disney World when I did the College Program so I know how stressful it can be. . .

Now, the upside is that this won't happen and you'll get one or several supervisors who are actually reasonable individuals, and you'll learn a little about business, as well as have some fun and make some money. That's the upside.

But, yes, some places do try and push employees on hours or even pressure you while you're on the clock to stay later. And that's not so cool. The pressuring aspect. Asking is one thing, pressuring is another. As a backup, what would you think of having a lie of deflection, such as "family responsibilities"? You don't give more information. You keep it vague, which hopefully acts as a face saver for both you and the other person. But you hold your ground. No, you cannot stay late because of "family responsibilities." And if someone really pressures you, which is majorly uncool, asking what family responsibilities (wow, that is really beyond the line). "I have a family event and family situation that I need to help with." And you give no more information than that. Zero. If necessary, just repeat it. "I have a family event and family situation that I need to help with. I need to leave at 6." And if 6 is the end of your shift anyway, it is so uncool for them to pressure you. Asking in a polite manner is one thing, as is making a request in a polite manner, but pressuring is quite another. So, you have the first deflection. "I'm sorry. I can't. I have family responsibilities." And then you have the second deflection as listed above. This is the second fallback position. You might also pick up how they treat co-workers. You have the right to set your personal limits.



raisedbyignorance
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Posts: 2,225
Location: Indiana

24 Jan 2011, 10:33 pm

Could anyone who's work in the fast food business explain to me what the work schedule is like?



AardvarkGoodSwimmer
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Posts: 7,665
Location: Houston, Texas

26 Jan 2011, 3:38 pm

One thing I might add. If the restaurant closes at 11:00 pm, you might be scheduled to work till 11:15 even though everyone knows it's not till 11:45 that the closing staff really gets out of the place. That's reasonable. (You do have to be paid for all time worked however.)

What isn't reasonable is if you're scheduled till 8:00, a boss asks if you'd like to close, you say 'No thank you,' and then the guy or gal tries to pressure you. Not so cool.



raisedbyignorance
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Posts: 2,225
Location: Indiana

26 Jan 2011, 4:26 pm

After the interview I had yesterday I hope to god they don't hire me. They're already getting on me for my lack of smiling (see this thread) and they kept emphasizing "customer service" as their big deal. My mental state of mind is clearly not fit for a job like this at the moment. I would be fired in a week. I just wish my family could see that.