Interview suggestions for retail job when overqualified?

tell them u have side hobbies u like to devote time to, and u just want a steady job with a fixed schedule to pay your monthly bills

 

"I'm going back to school."

 

Tell them you don't really need the money and you're just looking for something to fill up your day with.

 

Be honest about your intentions or just flat out lie, either one would work honestly.

If you lie and state that you are serious about staying on long term and you find something down the road, what's the worse that could happen, they are a bit miffed at you?

I was in Retail management for a few years after college. Turnover, especially at big box stores, is insane.

 

Repeat after me, dd nauseam:

"Liquor in the front, poker in the rear."

Gold.

 

I agree with Grendel, just be honest. I have no experience with retail, but I imagine they're mainly looking for someone competent that will show up and act professional to customers.

 

Yup, Just be honest. I worked at Wal-Mart for three weeks in the back room unloading. My schedule was 4pm to 1am. I would suggest this job if you like to work out. I lost some pounds working there because it's constant work and you're lifting some pretty heavy stuff too. I saw it as getting paid to work out while I found a better job.

 

Tell them you want to work your way up the chain - local manager - to corporate and you need a place to start...

 

Yep...and it's not really lying either because you never know. If you move up from stocker, to cashier, to asst store manager, to manager, to regional manager or other corporate positions you won't want to leave and may have a long and successfull career at Target

 

IMHO, the term overqualified does not make sense. Everybody wants somebody who is more than capable of getting the job done right. Employers throw out that excuse so that they don't have to say...."this position is too easy for your skill set and the possibility of you bolting is very high and I will have to repeat the same hiring process in the near future"

I can only suggest that you create the impression that you are there to stay. Make guarantees or assurances like.."I promise that I will stay for about a year".

 

Another thing that might be helpful could be..

" I know that my experience is mainly on the <insert> industry but after careful deliberation, I have decided to change my career direction and that the retail industry offers a lot of diversity where I can translate my skill set. If given the opportunity, I would like to expand my knowledge in retail and eventually grow into a position where I can add more value to you company"

 

Tell them you want to retire there and be the best aisle stocker ever. From what I hear you can't say you want to move up and you can't discuss your pay. HR told my girl she was too aggressive and that they needed an apology. **** you HR.

 

An apology for what??

 

For discussing her pay. "Too agressive". She wanted 2 more bucks an hour. They also messed up with the vacation and the getting paid OT. Anyways the company gives out 5k bonus checks, so I'm good., that makes up for the 2 bucks. She was agency for 2 years and just became permanent.

 

I think being overqualified is surmountable even being honest. You'll probably last as long as their average employee because they have high turn-over anyway, but you won't be half as dumb as most of their peeps.

I think you'll have a bigger problem with your age. You can get a manager uncomfortable with hiring someone much older than them. They might worry about whether you are still physically fit enough to do the work. Basic age discrimination stuff. Front-end would be slightly less problematic in that regard.