Back in the late summer early fall of ’10 I went to church with my best friend Mark to the Vineyard Community Church on a Saturday night. We stopped at the Chick-fil-a located on Kemper Rd for dinner. In talking with the manager, Jaseon, there I was informed that they would be opening a location at Bridgewater Falls, right off of By-Pass 4 on Princeton Road early ’11. I asked him if was too early to apply to work there or not? He handed me an application and said that if I filled this out and mailed it back to him that he would forward it to the correct people who would be hiring for that location. I did just that!!!
When Chick-fil-a had a huge vinyl sign hanging from the retaining wall at Bridgewater Falls at the end of summer ’10, I knew that I had to start praying about this job even before they broke ground to build the standing restaurant. Praying how could I work there if hired, what would I do when hired, where did I see myself in the company. Starting to watch for a place that was taking applications for that location was hard. But because they did not do it in their building (since it was still being built), they had used a storefront that was behind the old Toys R’ Us location next to Cold Stone Creamery (who has the bestest ice cream ever). So I went in there and got another application to fill out and turn in. Attached to the application was a separate sheet of paper with 5 questions. I retyped the question with my answers in blue.
Where do you see yourself in 1 year? 5 years? 10 years?
That’s a good question? Where would I like to see myself in a 1-year or even 5, 10 years from now? I have wanted to move out of my dad’s house for sometime now. I am praying that I can get a job to help me obtain the financial means of getting this goal. As well as while I am back in school full time I need a means to help me along during the semesters, and to help me grow more in the business forefront. In 5 years I hope to possibility graduate from Miami with my licensure in Special Education and as well to obtain a job in a school working with special needs children. In 10 years I hope to have a house and maybe even a family of my own.
Who would you say that has been the most influential person in you life? Why?
The most influential person in my life would have to be my mother. I say her because she was the glue that held my family together. She also was the key person that introduced me to the life that I now have with my Lord and King; God She was not only my amazing mother, but she was a best friend and my mentor. I could talk to her and she would not judge me but would counsel me in the “motherly” ways and as a woman of God.
What are the three most important things to you?
I would have to say that the three most important things to me are my bible, music, and my car.
What is your greatest character strength?
I am a very extroverted, personable person, and totally a team player! I have a servant’s heart and an open mind. These are my best character strengths, I believe that each one works together to create me, who I am, and what drives my passions in life.
Why do you want to work at Chick-fil-A?
First off and easily answered: I LOVE THE FOOD that Chick-fil-A serves!! But even more that it is a faith based business. I believe that wit will help develop me more as an adult trying to grow in different avenues of my life. I want to work with a positive team because I am a very positive woman, who loves to work with all types of people.
When I went and turned in my application I had an interview with 1 of their 4 managers. We talked for about 15-20 minutes. At the end of our talking to each other she asked me back for a second interview the following week (mind you this was Tuesday January 18th), because my classes were on Monday and Wednesday and her times were all filled for Tuesday we had to schedule it for Thursday, January 27 at 11 AM.
Before my interview on the 27th I had been talking to Linda Vogt at Miami University about my desire to get a job. She’s had been helping me rewrite my résumé for about a week or so. So I stopped by her office to tell her about my second interview with Chick-fil-a the coming Thursday. We spoke about what I should wear, even for a part time job at a fast food restaurant. We also spoke about my résumé and how I wanted things to read and/or sound to future employers.
So the day of the interview I was so nervous!!! It felt weird to be nervous… but since ’08 I hadn’t worked a reliable hourly job. Sure I worked for 4 different school districts as a paraprofessional substitute, but that job was inconsistent and not dependable. I never knew when I was working next unless it was the night before at 10 PM or the morning of at 5 AM. As well, I haven’t been called to sub but only one or two times since ’11 has started.
I get there for my interview at 10 till 11. Not too early… but not late. I interviewed with 2 managers in 30 minutes. I found out that they do not have a General Manager like most places do. But they have an owner, 4 managers that have the General Manager’s capabilities, and have shift leaders to help run the store. I asked some questions myself like; “If hired now, on my one year review what can I do now that will make it look outstanding?” and “What do the opportunities for growth look like with Chick-fil-a?” I think those two interviews went really well, because at 5:30 that night I got called back for a THIRD interview the following day at 11:30 AM. As well, that interview went really well too.
Saturday morning I was on my way to help out with the out reach that I participate with every Saturday, and thought to take a little thank you note for the interviews. Here I am all bundled up to go and serve with the Good Sam Run with the VCC, wearing a lot of layers because it is outside. Running into the place where they were accepting applications and holding interviews just to drop off this little 3 line typed thank you letter. I got a weird look; let’s just say that. Then went on my way to the VCC.
After that I just left it in the Lord’s hands. I had no control over if they hired me or not. Nothing else I could say or do would help me get it. So I just prayed constantly about it as well with you… my friends.
I knew that Monday January 31st I would get the job offer or not. I had classes ALL day… 9:30-3:30. So my phone had to be either off or on silent. I checked it in between classes; sometimes I peeked at it during class. But nothing yet, not phone call. I get out of Math at 3:15 to a voice mail. It was one of the managers. She told me that she had a job offer and to give her a call back.
It is official!! I am now an employee at Chick-fil-a at Bridgewater Falls. They are set to be open for business February 10, 2011. I start tomorrow!! I go in for a fitting for my uniform from 12-2, and this Saturday from 2-7 for my orientation.
I am SUPPER EXCITED!!!!!
Cool! Congratulations!!
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