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?

@katiedidnt

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.

This with bells on. Amongst other things which would make me very, very wary.

They are on shaky grounds legally if they intend to use volunteers to replace staff that they have made redundant. Avoid.

I can't believe this is a thing. Well actually I can but it stinks. CF's everywhere!

Surely there’s easier ways to get ideas than faking a recruitment drive for them. I don’t know what’s more stupid - thinking they are doing that or them if they are actually doing that. Recruitment is a pain in the butt - just put a piston mumsnet or Facebook - you’ll get loads of ideas for not much bother at all.

Why would you do a management job for minimum wage? They people who only have to worry about cleaning the table will get the same pay as you so do that instead!

@Candyfloss99

Why would you do a management job for minimum wage? They people who only have to worry about cleaning the table will get the same pay as you so do that instead!

It's a charity. There may not be other positions?

So you'll be running it all yourself and doing everything or will you have to manage volunteers? Both of which will be a nightmare.

I appreciate all feedback, but I may reconsider going for the interview having got the responses I have.
At the very least I won't be stressing further about putting some swanky corporate speak plan together.
Ta

I think that's best. It sounds like they'll be taking advantage of you tbh. Paying minimum wage to do a management job. Good luck in your search.

Just go along with some ideas and that you are open to work with them to develop cafe. You've not lost much by going. I wouldn't be doing professional PowerPoint job though.
Maybe someone is helping out with this as a favour who normally does corporate?

A couple of slow cookers could get some hot food on the go 👍🏻
That's if you decide to go and need something to suggest 😆

That's a ridiculous interview for a minimum wage job at a charity shop.

I'd be surprised if they get the person they seem to be looking for!

@ChickenGotLegs

A couple of slow cookers could get some hot food on the go 👍🏻 That's if you decide to go and need something to suggest 😆

Depends on license. If they are operating under a1, not if you cook it there, like proper cook, it would need a3. Just reheating, or toasting sandwiches is ok under a1. Usually. Not 100% some councils are lenient.

@therearenogoodusernamesleft

They are on shaky grounds legally if they intend to use volunteers to replace staff that they have made redundant. Avoid.

Yup.

I heard about some charities kind of counting on being a charity so getting away with not paying, or paying very little and doing stuff normal business would get pulled on.
Frankly, if they can take a shop in prime location, they should pay their staff proper wages too.

I'd go for the interview for experience. But in my presentation I'd be honest about the limitations of the site/space. It's never going to be bettys tea room and given that it's a charity it's important to build on and not alienate their current clientele with a radical new offer. I'd then pitch 3 or 4 ideas to them, stretching what they have, but not a full scale revamp.

Their response to that would be telling on what their expectations might be....

There’s never any harm getting interview experience. And if you like the vibe of the place that can make a massive difference if you’re not desperate for a massive salary.

A waffle maker to bring in parents with children - only about £25 for an electric waffle press. Make up a batch of batter fresh each day - takes 5 mins - and keep in the fridge. Jar of nutella, sliced banana, squirt cream, lemon ’sugar - jobs a good'un

It sounds like you might need to be really into the charity to take this on.

Honestly, I'd turn up and I'd tell them all this. Your 90-day plan is to sort out:

• resources - without knowing staff and budgets you cannot create a credible and cohesive plan
• competition and gaps in the market
• identifying your niche (love the soup and bun at 1 idea!)
• getting the equipment and suppliers sorted out to meet the new menu and niche you have identified *looking at promotion/social/PR etc
• hiring staff and volunteers and getting processes in place and people trained

I'd be really clear that I'd be expecting to do all that on the clock because you are a professional who wants the space to succeed and raise funds for the charity, and you don't want to make half-cocked suggestions today without all the information available.

That will take 5 minutes. If you say that and everyone else has gone in with a bunch of ideas, they should bite your hand off because you clearly know your game.

At that point, you can decide if you want to walk out and leave them with it or not! But I'd not do a fancy arse presentation, I'd just tell them straight and see if they want to take it seriously. I'd also tell them expecting all that for NMW is off too, because these people need telling directly and not letters withdrawing because of it.

@katiedidnt

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.

Couldn’t agree more.

Ask for Living Wage not minimum wage? I would definitely do the interview for experience, you can always turn it down, but equally taking the job for a year when there is slim pickings to build your CV isn't the worst idea.

Don't stress you'll be fine. I went from being a SHAM for 11 years to working in a prison. In at the deep end!

Nothing wrong going along for the interview at all. Don't stress about it as they are being rather delusional. There are some solid ideas on here, but I would ask what their plans are for basic investment in equipment and the staffing structure as this hugely impacts anything going forward.

Remember you have relevant experience and even warm and friendly service in an inviting atmosphere, at an attractive price, will attract the older clientelle. If they are wanting much, much more without covering off the basics of how to deliver it in terms of both staff and equipment I would suggest you don't actually want the job frankly.

But a presentation and second interview process is way OTT for what you are describing.

I've seen some ridiculous requests in ads for minimum ish wage jobs . I men's what do they expect ??!

If part of the job is reopening the cafe mention the covid risk assessment, food hygiene cert, food hygiene training and induction for volunteers, advertising the reopening, reviewing the supplier arrangements and social media.
Anyone who thinks you can't expect this sort of thing for a minimum wage job hasn't been jobhunting recently.