Page 3 of Obsession

AIDEN

Well, I certainly hope this guy is better than the last candidate. She didn’t have any retail experience, or any customer service experience either. I know people say that everyone deserves a chance but when you got nothing, youreallygot nothing. And I know that this guy has at least got customer service experience because he works in the mall and deals with people every day.

“Come with me,” I say.

Cody gets to his feet and follows me behind the counter and through the door that leads to our back room.

“Take a seat,” I offer.

He sits down on one of the vacant chairs. I go through the mountain of paperwork on my desk and pick up his file, then sit down on a chair opposite him. I slide it closer to him until we’re about a foot apart.

“So, Cody, I’m looking at your resume here, and I have to say, it’s pretty impressive. You have a wealth of experience.”

“Thank you,” he says.

“Tell me a little about yourself and why you want to work for the phone industry. What attracted you to the position?”

“The people, actually. I walk past this store on a daily basis, and every time I look inside the store, I see how vibrant and friendly the staff are. I’ve been working in retail for almost thirty years now, in a variety of different roles and I think it’s time for a change. Phones are a part of our everyday lives, so we know that they’re going to be around for a very long time because we’re so dependent on them. I know this is definitely a role that I can do really well in.”

“Ok, great answer. Thank you. What would you say are your biggest strengths?”

“I’m incredibly loyal, dedicated, hard-working, and always up for a challenge. I love coaching and helping people, and most of all, I enjoy learning new things.”

“You’re currently working as an assistant manager, so why do you want to leave that role?”

“I’ve been an assistant manager for over a year, and there’s no opportunity for me to grow in my current position. When I saw that this role was for a store manager, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to move up the ladder.”

“We have a team of ten here. Some of those are casual employees, then there’s the assistant manager and myself. The store has just gone through some major renovations and we’re expanding, so I’m going to need a second manager to help me run the store. How are you at working with others in a senior role?”

“I can adjust quite easily. If it’s required in my role, then I make it work. I don’t have an issue working with others.”

“And you’re good with big, sudden changes?” I question.

“Absolutely. I’m good at a lot of things.” He smiles.

I make some notes on my notepad, then raise my head to look at him again.

“You mentioned that you’ve been in retail for almost thirtyyears, so that would make you in your …?

“I’m forty-five,” he answers.

My eyes widen at that realization. The guy doesn’t look any older than about thirty, thirty-five tops. I mean, he could very easily be my father.

“The staff here are in their twenties. The youngest is sixteen. Do you have an issue working with people a lot younger than you?”

“No, not at all. I’m the oldest where I work at the moment, and honestly, I think it makes it a lot easier to work with people a lot younger than me because we don’t clash.”

I make some more notes on my notepad, and then my phone pings, alerting me of my next interview in five minutes.

“Um, I don’t really have anything else to ask. Do you have any questions for me?”

“I guess the main thing to ask is, how long would it be before I find out if I get the job?”

“That’s a good question. I still have a couple more interviews to get through this week, and ideally, I would like to have the position filled by the end of next week and the successful candidate to start training the week after next, with the position officially starting the first of next month.”

“That sounds perfect. Thank you.”

“Does that work with you giving notice to your current employer?” I ask him.

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