I hope this the right forum!
I'm a mum and a student looking for a part time job. I got a last minute interview for a chain clothing store local to me. I didn't prepare well enough and it went really badly, the interviewer clearly thought I was an idiot!
I have been applying for any retail/hospitality/office jobs that suit my hours, I didn't apply to clothing because I am into fashion (It's a store like Next). Anyway, I wore basic black suit and blouse, which I regretted but it fitted well and looked smart, hair and makeup done, past retail experience in boots and debenhams... I thought I would be okay. But I really wasn't. They asked about what I thought of recent fashion? When my answer was quite general they asked about colours/trends etc. And asked me to go into the store and pick out a suitable outfit for a working mum in an office job. Which I thought I did a decent job of but they didn't even comment on what I had chosen. I tried my best and I had spent some time browsing through the store beforehand but I am not into fashion and didn't know I should be. (I like clothes though!)
I feel a bit daft now but is all retail like this? You need to have a greater than average interest? I knew that would be the case in currys or b&q but this wasn't a high fashion store? I was focusing on things like being presentable and making sure I could answer questions about working with the public, but I wasn't prepared for this. I will hopefully have some interviews coming up (already have two for sure) and I am getting nervous.
I would say 70% of the questions were about the latest fashion. I'm still a bit surprised to be honest, It wasn't what I expected!
I think there is a fairly good chance they just didn't think I was a good fit, which is absolutely fine, but I want to be more prepared in future and maybe more selective where I apply if I have to be.
Sorry for the essay and if you read it all , thank you!