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Post Info TOPIC: Pre-Interview Research, and a few questions....


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Pre-Interview Research, and a few questions....
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Me?  Well experienced (20+) years in retail.  Looking for a job locally, have narrowed down companies to apply with.  Kroger is appealing for many premium personal reasons.  I understand that the company in whole does not hire in Full Time for front end/cashiering.

I'm reading that part-time status can be a hard line of 28 hours and below; and can fluctuate wildly during Holiday to forty hours; (yet still be retained at part-time hire).

I'd like to give it a go, with the assumption I can work in a very professional atmosphere.  Does the culture vary from store to store, or is there a fairly standard expectation across the board of work environment?  Again, I'm not new to heavy retail- but am a bit curious as the reviews on sites reflect extremes of experiences.  I'm not sensing any middle ground.

Any comments about questions you wished you had asked during the interview are also sought.

I'm in a completely different part of the country than normal, this would be a right to work state as well (therefore, no Union issues).  I cannot fathom they would offer to hire me in at whatever minimum wage is with expectation of interest.  I could be very off the mark there also?  Is negotiation during the interview generally discouraged as there are 15 people just waiting to jump in one position no questions asked?  If I offer unrestricted availability and they come back at 15 hours, how accepting is it to work a second job which is non-compete? Thoughts?

Thank you to all that have posted on this board, I've read your stories.

In review, my questions are:

  1. New hire, hour expectations?
  2. Unrestricted schedule vs. restricted for 2nd job?
  3. Professional atmosphere?
  4. Interview Questions for company?
  5. Pay based on experience?
  6. Negotiation on offers? 

 



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1) Your hour expectations are correct. It looks as if you are looking for a cashier position. Usually between 16-28 hours.
2) Unrestricted schedule allows for most hours, and is required if you are looking for full time status. Any restrictions will usually lessen your hours.
3) Depends on your definition of professional. There are standards, expectations. However, you will be working with minors and among low paid part time workers, you can't expect too much from that.
4) Interview is pretty much pointless, basically if you seem like you're not a murderer you will be hired. Obviously you can set a tone with more directed questions, but that's up to you. There isn't any leverage you can really bring at this point.
5) Yes, but not much. Per our contract, experience pay tops out at $8.30/hr(or 0.95/hr over minimum of 7.35) or 36 months tier upgrade. Different contracts will vary, but should be similar.
6) This isn't a salaried position, this is a part time job that pays close to minimum wage. There is no place for negotiations short of getting into salaried management which is separate entirely from store-level hiring. Being unionized means there is no difference in individual pay and has to be tied to the contract based on position, continuous time worked in the company, and experience pay. Management cannot individual raises, so merit raises are not possible.

It really depends on your goals within the company. If you are content being a cashier working for close to minimum wage and part time hours, then just inquire about obtaining maximum experience pay allowable by the contract.
If your goals are to move up in the store level(ie: department management) then inquire about that in the interview so your intentions are known.
If you intend to make a decent paid career out of retail management(salaried store management) then you need not even apply for a job in store, unless you're wanting to gain more experience in the store level. Do note that most divisions require a minimum 4 year degree to apply for these.

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Anonymous

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if you've got 20 years in, you should try to find a better job!  Sheesh, kroger people don't realize there are other options out there for people with experience.  What do you have to look forward to?  a 25 cent raise spread out over a 2 year period (ooooooh).



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During the tip of the recession, I was overnight at a competitor. Benefits galore and around 18 bucks an hour full time and premium/OT. Swing was insane, but - it's a living. No point in going all the way back home, just sleep in your car for a few hours and head back in. Good times. Left on excellent terms, no wish to go back as the main locations here are ... unsafe at best. Touches on a border which draws honest to God armed / cracked zombies. It's a frightening place.  I wouldn't work there for 75 bucks an hour. Nope.  Violent.  The thing viral You Tube videos are made of you understand?  :)

Am I reading the responses correctly when I see that part-time status DOES qualify for benefits with the company? My main interest for the time being is able to participate in those as an offset for wages, along with transfer options should I move. This store is absolutely gorgeous inside, well-kept, top notch (not a super) - very close in ambiance to Whole Foods in many regards. Parking lot is always packed, looks like Black Friday busy on the outside, but very calm and maintained and breezy inside.

I would have a very difficult time looking at less than six hundred a month (safe) base with unlimited availability. I would definitely have to experiment and see if the culture inside as employed is open to advancement. When I'm on the clock handling someone elses' goods and cash, (both the store and the customers) I tend to be a bit serious with my co-workers, but socialize nicely if off.

I don't sense low morale in the store at all (you know you can smell that a hundred miles away) - the next chains in line I've researched all suffer deeply from low morale issues, which is sad after all the effort put into the stores.  One person up top can ruin it all.  I've been very fortunate to have tremendously patient mentor figures, only to see them retire on and taken over by a Neapolitan wanna be.  I've seen entire corporations domino from that very thing.

The current financial status of Kroger is pretty terrific and very stable.  They are my best bet locally when stacked against all others long term/overall.  Maybe I will don a wig, obtain a second job with them as alias persona.  I'd do it if I could.  :)

(Humor, okay?)



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Each contract will be different in relation to benefits, it's something you need to research. But in Delta UFCW1529, part-time does receive benefits, albeit not as much as full time. 9 months for medical, 15 for dental, 21 for pharmacy & vision.

Kroger as a company is poised for long term survival and success, so in that regard it is optimal for somebody who values job security. Morale typically has to do with management, each store will be different. You a will be making approximately that amount starting out. Raises are typically paid out over a period of 48-60 months until a person is topped out, then all you'll receive is a contract raise once yearly. Full time wages are substantially higher than their part time counter parts in terms of top out pay. For example, our division part time clerks/cashiers top out at $10.70/hr and full time at $14.06.

I wouldn't compare with whole foods, you may be looking at a flagship store that is meticulously maintained, but regardless, there is a lot of stress when it comes to production and expectations. This is especially pertinent outside of the front end. There isn't any breathing room for most stores in other departments. Take a smoke break or two and you won't get done.

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DeltaGrocery has pretty much hit it on the head. In Local400 we have the same contract outline as he describes. The insurance is pretty good once you get it and I don't believe I've had to pay more than 10 dollars for a generic since I've gotten it... Namebrands can be quite expensive, however. We only pay a max of 30 dollars for Dr visits too. At a cost of 32 dollars per month. It's not a horrible deal.

It will take a little over a year to earn the insurance.

I'm a part-timer and that's what I've been working with.

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I don't think this is a Union store. Won't that make a difference in starting pay?

I'm also located very close to this store. If they were to call me for a quick fill in shift, I could be there on the clock, on till, in under ten minutes.

Does being a very dependable call in help with hour building?

I'm mid-line with the insurance benefits, it's neither here nor there as we have it now and it's hard to see that far into the future. I'd have to really study the tier of coverage and rates; that's a bit scary low as a monthly payment compared to what we have now. If it was comparable in service, that would be amazing, around 5K less than we pay now.

The vesting in stock and long term programs are very enticing. With all that they have going on, I wouldn't mind throwing in 50% of pre tax in those programs. It really is getting to be unheard of for this sort of work to have access to anything of that kind.

I'm not especially alarmed at not being able to hit full-time walking in; there is plenty more going on to keep me in liquidity other than this.

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buttonpusher wrote:

I don't think this is a Union store. Won't that make a difference in starting pay?

I'm also located very close to this store. If they were to call me for a quick fill in shift, I could be there on the clock, on till, in under ten minutes.

Does being a very dependable call in help with hour building?

I'm mid-line with the insurance benefits, it's neither here nor there as we have it now and it's hard to see that far into the future. I'd have to really study the tier of coverage and rates; that's a bit scary low as a monthly payment compared to what we have now. If it was comparable in service, that would be amazing, around 5K less than we pay now.

The vesting in stock and long term programs are very enticing. With all that they have going on, I wouldn't mind throwing in 50% of pre tax in those programs. It really is getting to be unheard of for this sort of work to have access to anything of that kind.

I'm not especially alarmed at not being able to hit full-time walking in; there is plenty more going on to keep me in liquidity other than this.


 No you will not get anything extra for being a good person to call in. You'll only get the pay for those hours. Kroger believes that to be enough.

The insurance I was speaking of was for a single person. A family plan costs quite a bit more around 48 or so.  Some locations have removed spousal coverage all together so that's probably a good question to ask them.
We do get decent stock options as well but people rarely take advantage of it.  We can buy partial shares and stuff.

Best of luck!

 

 



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All stores are unionized, just because it's a right to work state doesn't mean they don't have to abide by union rules. The main difference is you won't have to pay the union dues if you opt out of it. However, there is the negative aspect of not having the same level of protection that paying members have or have a vote/say in contract negotiations.

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With an offer of part-time status, not knowing the political/power culture inside, I'd have to turn down the Union.  Walking in, not knowing if I were ten hours a week to 28 hours a week, no feel for possible overage of that makes a Union ridiculous in fees.  I would absolutely take that extra 500 (we don't itemize anyway) and throw that in a personal stock purchase anyway.  I tend to be very analytical about business structure/forecasting, and Kroger as a company in whole really has it going on.  Go look at the stock price five years ago compared to now.

I think it's fair to say that one of the reasons they are doing so well is that they innovate.  I noticed some discussion on the clicklist thread, and overall, think back ten years and Amazon grocery.  It was nothing.  Now look what they are doing:  http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2015/07/23/exclusive-amazon-planning-drive-up-grocery-stores.html  

As a consumer, am I seriously going to trust Amazon brands?  Gross.  No.  Never.  I can walk into Kroger, get what I want, know what I'm getting and I have never had to get a price adjustment, dealt with any type of snafu in store.  Kroger innovates, competes and it's a really sturdy platform in so may ways.  Lord would I love to work at 84.91; that is right up my alley.  Smart move I think with the Boomer section as well.  I've lived in cities where there are perhaps ten 15 passenger vans lined up in the parking lot doing senior citizen runs, and they are FOR PROFIT businesses.  Baseline on those is a fifteen dollar per hour shopping fee, 3% service on order.  If you pause and do the math as an individual, think of the compounded real hour profit you could make running shop for yourself.  That's a very livable wage business.  Care dot com here has personal shoppers for Kroger at fifteen dollars an hour, door to door, and there are waiting lists as well.  You can bet those services are going to JUMP all over the clicklist option, and make a mint at it as well.

If I felt the need to call in Union support on that paper-thin of a position for hours, I'd be far off better just leaving, time is money. 9% of gross pay is laughable, really.  No, just no.  You could day trade stock with that amount and do much better for yourself.  High-end management, in the very.recent.past - looks like the early retirement candy deal too

Insurance for our family right now runs about 450 a month.  You can imagine how leery I am of the cost difference without details.  We've had to REALLY use insurance before, and that fee per month can save your tail.

A note about "call-in", it may or may not apply, but it's a good story anyway.  Every job I've ever held that was hours-in based, I simply went in on my days off for some "errand" and let it be known I was around, if anyone needed a shift off I'd take it.  100% all of the time reliable.  I've always been able to hit forty hours with that method.  Whether that would work within the boundaries of the job description I'm seeing, who knows.  I'm not getting the feeling there is a lot of cross-training going on, but I'll ask anyway.



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buttonpusher wrote:

With an offer of part-time status, not knowing the political/power culture inside, I'd have to turn down the Union.  Walking in, not knowing if I were ten hours a week to 28 hours a week, no feel for possible overage of that makes a Union ridiculous in fees.  I would absolutely take that extra 500 (we don't itemize anyway) and throw that in a personal stock purchase anyway.  I tend to be very analytical about business structure/forecasting, and Kroger as a company in whole really has it going on.  Go look at the stock price five years ago compared to now.

I think it's fair to say that one of the reasons they are doing so well is that they innovate.  I noticed some discussion on the clicklist thread, and overall, think back ten years and Amazon grocery.  It was nothing.  Now look what they are doing:  http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2015/07/23/exclusive-amazon-planning-drive-up-grocery-stores.html  

As a consumer, am I seriously going to trust Amazon brands?  Gross.  No.  Never.  I can walk into Kroger, get what I want, know what I'm getting and I have never had to get a price adjustment, dealt with any type of snafu in store.  Kroger innovates, competes and it's a really sturdy platform in so may ways.  Lord would I love to work at 84.91; that is right up my alley.  Smart move I think with the Boomer section as well.  I've lived in cities where there are perhaps ten 15 passenger vans lined up in the parking lot doing senior citizen runs, and they are FOR PROFIT businesses.  Baseline on those is a fifteen dollar per hour shopping fee, 3% service on order.  If you pause and do the math as an individual, think of the compounded real hour profit you could make running shop for yourself.  That's a very livable wage business.  Care dot com here has personal shoppers for Kroger at fifteen dollars an hour, door to door, and there are waiting lists as well.  You can bet those services are going to JUMP all over the clicklist option, and make a mint at it as well.

If I felt the need to call in Union support on that paper-thin of a position for hours, I'd be far off better just leaving, time is money. 9% of gross pay is laughable, really.  No, just no.  You could day trade stock with that amount and do much better for yourself.  High-end management, in the very.recent.past - looks like the early retirement candy deal too

Insurance for our family right now runs about 450 a month.  You can imagine how leery I am of the cost difference without details.  We've had to REALLY use insurance before, and that fee per month can save your tail.

A note about "call-in", it may or may not apply, but it's a good story anyway.  Every job I've ever held that was hours-in based, I simply went in on my days off for some "errand" and let it be known I was around, if anyone needed a shift off I'd take it.  100% all of the time reliable.  I've always been able to hit forty hours with that method.  Whether that would work within the boundaries of the job description I'm seeing, who knows.  I'm not getting the feeling there is a lot of cross-training going on, but I'll ask anyway.


That "call-in" is more than a good story.  Stores maintain a list of employees, in order of seniority, and will call the first one on the list, then go down the list from there.  If you are a new hire you will be on the bottom of the list.  They can also give you whatever hours they want.  You may go a week or two with no hours.  There will also be times when another employee claims your hours and there won't be anything you can do about it, you won't be able to claim another employees hours to make up for it.  At least when the day comes and they want to get rid of you, you've made it easy for them.



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Anonymous

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Anonymous wrote:

if you've got 20 years in, you should try to find a better job!  Sheesh, kroger people don't realize there are other options out there for people with experience.  What do you have to look forward to?  a 25 cent raise spread out over a 2 year period (ooooooh).


 I don't think buttonpusher can get another job.  Seriously, they want a part time cashier job at Kroger?  



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-- Edited by buttonpusher on Monday 27th of July 2015 09:47:21 PM

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Well there are many small businesses looking for help. If you only apply to the places everybody drives past every day, of course you'll have competition.



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My experience with this company has been that the management is universally unconcerned about their employees.  Their focus seems to be finding ways to write up employees and getting rid of them.  Very little attention is given to retaining good, quality people.  There is no acknowledgement for good work or going above and beyond the call of duty so to speak.  As long as you can hang in there, avoid the attention of any managers, you will eventually accrue some seniority and will be golden.  Scheduling and personal commitments...well, let's just say that as a new hire, your personal commitments, (birthdays, anniversaries, Dr's appointments, etc), don't matter one whit.  20 hours this week, 38-40 the next.  This my friend is just the tip of the iceberg.  I haven't even mentioned the union, that for a new hire, seems to be good for only deducting money from your paycheck.  If you have any alternate options, I would urge you to consider them before accepting any position with this company.   

I'm not some wet behind the ears kid with no work experience, I have over 30 years work experience under my belt.   This company is the worst of the lot and I wonder how they have managed to stay in business.



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-- Edited by buttonpusher on Monday 27th of July 2015 09:47:05 PM

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Well, I hope if you do start working at Kroger as a cashier or any position, you need to learn to keep your mouth shut.  All this talk about day trading, auto union, future gas prices -  WTF?  Who cares?  I think you just like to hear yourself talk because of just how smart you think you are lol!  Well, good luck to you.

 

One good thing though, you sure shut up Nutrition Whore.  She thinks she is the smartest person ever and I've noticed she has stayed clear of this thread lol! 



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All i'm thinking in this thread, if this guy is as smart as he sounds from the way he talks about all the things you mentioned... why are his "skills" being wasted in a retail job at all?

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-- Edited by buttonpusher on Monday 27th of July 2015 09:46:45 PM

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Lol well either way i'm glad your interview went well. Good luck!

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