Job interview after years of sahm, bitten off more than I can chew.

[CletusVanDamme]

Have an interview for a cafe management position within a charity shop. They are expecting new ideas for generating income and want a first 90 day presentation as well as a role playing thing.
I have seen the cafe, it has a domestic toaster/ kettle , a table too 2 ring job and a table top single oven. 10 tables?
It appears to be higher management level interview style for a somewhat primitive operation.
I am flummoxed, I have worked pt in cafes and bars and operate largely on smiles and offering great customer service.
I no nothing of corporate speak and other such stuff, where the feck do I start?

Fuck that. I'd go and work in a supermarket or McDs instead.

@CMOTDibbler yes I'd thought of some of your suggestions so at least I know I'm on track.
Bacon butties a no go and I don't think small children are encouraged, no high chair at all.
Definitely a coffee and cake place. Very small kitchen though so not a lot of room for extra equipment.

God the more I think about it...I asked at the first interview how it was being staffed. They hadn't at that point decided and were toying with perhaps volunteers? and possibly a paid pt?

Nah pull out OP

Where about in the U.K. is it?

How many staff in the Café?

Are they're many other job opportunities where you are?

Personally I'd have to be quite desperate for a job to tolerate that kind of shit.

For the 90 day plan I'd waffle on about objectives, but not a plan/creative ideas. If they want that much work out of me, they can pay me for it!

You say it was mice when you went in, do you know what happened to the staff?

@CletusVanDamme

God the more I think about it...I asked at the first interview how it was being staffed. They hadn't at that point decided and were toying with perhaps volunteers? and possibly a paid pt?

Hang on, so this is the SECOND interview for a minimum wage position managing something that could barely be called a café?

Sorry but they’re bonkers. Delusions of grandeur.

You can do much, much better.

The more information you post the crapper it sounds. Give this a massive swerve and apply to Lidl or Maccy D's instead!

Who is the charity targeted at? Older people decent coffee, cake, soup, sandwiches. Knit and knitter group, book group, social interaction opportunities. Buzz words, use the space to raise money, tackle isolation and creative positive atmosphere. Digital inclusion as well is top priority as is anything around inter generational work. If they want to use volunteers who will train, monitor and support them? Simple good well done in a welcoming atmosphere will always work. Create a space other charities could use to support their activities, ie a men’s group using it as a place to meet and have lunch etc. Would be an interesting job and you could make it your own but perhaps needs higher pay!!

If they want to use volunteers who will train, monitor and support them?

Presumably that would be the manager! On minimum wage.

Yes indeed, second interview.
I got an email inviting me for it yesterday and the follow up with the 90 day plan thing today.
The delusions of grandeur thing is right.
The staff were made redundant because of covid.

I wouldn't even bother turning up

You won't get paid enough for that. They can think of their own ideas. How lazy

@CletusVanDamme

Yes indeed, second interview. I got an email inviting me for it yesterday and the follow up with the 90 day plan thing today. The delusions of grandeur thing is right. The staff were made redundant because of covid.

I’ll stop posting all over the thread now but I’m sorry OP, I really think this sounds ridiculous. It sounds like they’d be a nightmare to work for. And you wouldn’t even earn a living wage. I’d steer clear.

@mumonthehill the charity is targeted at older people mainly.
I did think it sounded interesting and felt that a warm and friendly atmosphere would go a long ezy. This whole corporate type vibe has completely thrown me.

Honestly even though it looks more work than the pay, I would go to the interview. When going back to work practice is key to doing well at interviews. You do not need to take the job but with that level of in put needed it is great to have done it. I had to do something similar, a power point presentation, I hated doing it however it meant that I had it under my belt. If you do not think you want it, you can take the risk to ask deeper questions and revisit the pay over responsibility question.

If it's older people, the church hall cafe round here does an absolutely great soup and sandwich and bun lunch special. It's always heaving.
Not sure that's enough for a 90 day plan though. Sell enough soup buying a toastie maker.

First three months - understanding local community, customer base, footfall patterns, peak flows, capacity of the space.
You can't come up with ideas until you know that business a lot better!
Say your targets are a living wage for staff and a paid assistant within six months.

Are you really sure you want to work there...?

Good suggestions from mumonthehill - I don't know if there might be some usable ideas here:

www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/cafe-and-restaurant/

www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/learning/older-people/

Will the job be worth it if it gives you a recent reference if you've previously been out of the workforce? Agreed, the NMW for a management position is underwhelming and makes me what they're paying anyone else or if they are at all. Will everyone else be volunteers which seems exploitative if they previously had paid staff.

I think you are massively overthinking this OP and being a bit mean! As are other people on this thread.

Why shouldn't they want someone with a bit of energy and enthusiasm? As people have suggested, there are lots of ways to consider brining more customers in.

I would MUCH rather work somewhere with energy and aiming high than people just sludging along.

God, you might enjoy it!

And - you have been out of work a long time, all of this - interview/ having ideas/ meeting new colleagues - is great practice whatever the outcome. It sounds like a fun place to work.

@CletusVanDamme

Full time min wage.

Min wage for management? Fucking shameful.

I wouldn't turn up. The fact that it's a charity absolutely doesn't excuse the wage for the responsibility.

So they're paying min. wage for a managerial role AND looking to steal ideas to make their business work? What the heck?
Next step is to ask people to pay them to work for them.

Jsut want to add, I eould tell them why I am not turning up. Shameful.

Omg tell them thanks but no thanks. Don't touch it with a bargepole - they're either scamming you for ideas, or it will be an absolute nightmare job.