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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

132 replies

CletusVanDamme · 20/04/2021 15:21

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?

OP posts:
CrazyTitsLiz · 20/04/2021 16:17

They're taking the piss. Honestly. That's a lot of work for a minimum wage job, and there's a risk they'll take your ideas and not offer you the job.

I really wouldn't bother.

ChubbyLittleManInACampervan · 20/04/2021 16:21

It would be good experience for you, and you can move on after half a year (with management experience in your pocket)

Just present some of the good ideas listed above (I’d stick to 3 ideas max. You can tell them you have more ideas, but have thought through these 3)

The role play: just do it

Go along with it all, bagsy the job, try to make it work. If it’s awful, move on

Good luck

When I was a sham and wanted to get back to work, I took a low paid low status job and it did lead to a proper job with a client, a year later. They liked my positive attitude.

Hope it’s the same for you Smile

Original poster
CletusVanDamme · 20/04/2021 16:21

I've been mean, er where?

OP posts:
wombatgoeswild · 20/04/2021 16:21

I was a volunteer in a set-up like this. Honestly, we had appraisals & everything. Loved going there but it all got too much & the supervisor lost the plot, as they were expecting the sort of things you mention. Didn't end well. You really would be better off somewhere with above min wage for that sort of stress.

Ted27 · 20/04/2021 16:24

I agree with @Wondergirl100

its sounds like they want to up their game from a kettle and a toaster operation and want someone with a bit of drive and enthusiasm

At the end of the day its the charitable sector and pay will never be great.
But maybe there is room to argue that if revenue/ profits increase then the salary would be reviewed.
Personally I would be looking at this as an opportunity to get back into the job market, create something new and interesting.
Its the sort of job I’d be looking for in a few years time.

ilovebrie8 · 20/04/2021 16:27

I’d give it a miss! I had this before give a presentation on what you’d do in first 100 days to improve things blah blah blah...total chancers took everyone ideas then didn’t hire just chancing their arm. I’m wary of this type of con...especially if they are only offering minimum wage!

Original poster
CletusVanDamme · 20/04/2021 16:29

It's not the pay that's the issue Hmm
I'm not sure how much the game can be upped in a sparsely equipped kitchen that doesn't really have room for much else.
I can come up with some ideas for promotions, but a 1 and a half hour interview with a 90 plan when they can't tell me how it's going to be staffed seems a bit ott?

OP posts:
MayYouLiveInInterestingTimes · 20/04/2021 16:29

Things really are crazy at the lower end of the job market. And in the lower middle. The top meanwhile...

Original poster
CletusVanDamme · 20/04/2021 16:30

It's not a career step for me either btw.

OP posts:
CrossedThemAll · 20/04/2021 16:34

Oh I've been rinsed for free work at interview recently. Absolutely ridiculous and taking unfair advantage of people.

However - I did need the practice so I took it on the chin and moved on.

I wouldn't skip the interview, op, but I wouldn't put a massive emotional investment in it, either. Just do it for the experience and see what happens.

ElizabethTudor · 20/04/2021 16:37

I’d ask again, the end, when it comes to your questions, have they had any further thoughts on the additional staffing on the cafe? As it’s all well and good interview candidates putting forward 90 day plans for revenue generation, but staffing the cafe is critical.

ILoveShula · 20/04/2021 16:38

Could you suggest a guinea pig theme?
Maybe Happy Wednesdays?
Don't shag your best mate's fella though.

aliloandabanana · 20/04/2021 16:39

I agree with those saying it's ridiculous. The only time I've had to do a presentation at an interview was for a management level job at a decent salary level. Minimum wage in a cafe? I would assume that they're selling it as a management position but expecting you to do all the work - they probably won't even be getting any other staff.

dotdashdashdash · 20/04/2021 16:45

@CletusVanDamme

I've been in as a customer pre covid, it had a lovely little vibe, I thought it must be nice to work in. Now I'm just thinking wtf?
I think you need to say this. Talk about "the vibe" and building off that
ilovemydogandMrObama · 20/04/2021 16:46

I had an interview similar to this, 'you have 20 minutes to come up with a marketing strategy...' Hmm, role play, had to interview and present the person next to you. They then got all the candidates to interview the panel.

It was insane and would have been funny but everyone took themselves far too seriously. They even nicked one of the ideas from one of the candidates who didn't get the job.

Ideas:

Use café as a pop up/dinner club
Use café as depot for local fruit/veg deliveries
Use café as Amazon delivery now that people are going back to office
etc

SwanShaped · 20/04/2021 16:50

I also feel like this could be a nightmare job. Is it full time? How did they seem at the last interview? I think the lovely vibe/social aspect is a good place to start seeing as that’s what they’re good at already. But it could also be a job that gives you amazing skills for you to step up in your next one after this. If it’s one of those jobs where you have to do everything.

katiedidnt · 20/04/2021 16:56

If they're planning to staff it with volunteers so you're the only paid employee, managing your team is going to a nightmare. Managing volunteers is so much harder than managing people who are being paid to be there.

LagneyandCasey · 20/04/2021 17:00

Why weren't the staff put on furlough?

I've always had a little dream to own a cafe. I'm sure it's harder then it looks though.

I echo the others. Put something together and go to the interview with a view to using is at experience while grilling them on staffing, budget etc. Social media is vital nowadays so have a look at similar places and see how they use platforms to build relationships with customers, promotions etc

If you were offered the job then getting to overhaul and reinvent the place could be quite interesting and would look good on your cv.

ODFOx · 20/04/2021 17:01

I agree with pp that it would be good to tie any potential improvements to better provision for the key group supported by the charity.
You say it's a coffee and cake place with 10 tables. Bought in cakes on glass domed stands have a shelf life of a few days. Likewise scones (keep the cream in the fridge). Premade sandwiches to go into a toaster maker or panini press, Soup in the winter in a cauldron. Limited menu of preprepared or very simply prepared dishes. Presume that there will be times when you or a volunteer are there alone. Get rid of the oven.
Good coffee and tea but also cheaper instant versions (all the elderly folk in my family prefer instant). Then arrange opportunities for community engagement: book group, knit and natter, community gardening chat, is doesn't matter what but if everyone has tea and cake you can have a cafe full for 90 mins every morning and some may stay on for soup or sandwich lunch.
If you can show how you would streamline the operation or get the next three months to keep the charm from before but with less volunteers needed /less effort but engaging with the people that the charity aims to help then you should be a shoo-in.
In spite of the full on interview it sounds like a nice place and an opportunity to put your own stamp on it. Good luck!

sipsmith1 · 20/04/2021 17:02

I fell into managing a National Trust property by accident, all I used to do was look at what our competitors were doing that were successful and adapt to suit. Have a look at successful oxfam cafes or something similar and see what works for them.

Staffy1 · 20/04/2021 17:03

I think a lot of people are taking the piss with ridiculous interviews and hoops to be jumped through for jobs with very poor salaries, just because they can as there is a lot more competition for the job now after all the covid job losses.

Viviennemary · 20/04/2021 17:04

Are they expecting you to go round different shops or sent new ones up. That's what I'd be suspecting.

Fedup1223 · 20/04/2021 17:06

So they want a marketing manager for the price of a waitress?

Tiggeri · 20/04/2021 17:07

It's a charity FFS. Why are people going crazy about money and career and you're better off in Lidl. She said she doesn't mind about the money, it sounds like a nice little cafe with a nice vibe that OP likes the idea of working in. She would also be working for a charity which is commendable.
I doubt they'll be too worried about the 90 day plan, just come up with a few suggestions.

mellicauli · 20/04/2021 17:08

You know it all but you don't know you do:
#1 priority is customer service. Evaluate staff, put lightweight training in place if needed. Establish a good team atmosphere

2 priority is profitability. Look at current offering, what makes money, what doesn't. Look at new food/drink offerings eg vegan offerings . Cut out unprofitable items

#3 customer base: who comes to the cafe? how can you encourage more people to come at quiet times of the day (eg host an afternoon bookgroup if that is quiet, )
#4 quality: do all the products you offer meet quality thresholds?
#5 investment - what could you buy that would bring in greater revenue (eg extra tables, microwave for baked potatoes etc)