I interviewed for an entry level position as a crew member at a newly built Chipotle near where I live yesterday.
I have 6 years of fast food experience, working at 5 different Arby’s across the region, I was even promoted last September to Certified Team Trainer and was awarded “All Star of the Month” and “Brand Champion” awards several times over my years spent there. I even used to volunteer at a community center in the kitchen as the assistant chef there, for over two years.
My availability was 100% OPEN, including weekends and holidays, literally ANY shift, ANY day, ANY position. She asked me what my preferences were and I told her I enjoyed closing shifts and back of house, but would be more than happy to work any shift and/or position she needed me to, so she could assign me on her staff wherever help was most needed and I would do my very best at it.
She took my phone number again “So I won’t have to go searching for it again later on” and told me she’d give me a call before 4pm when her shift was ending but that she had one more interview after me (who was already LATE by then apparently, whereas I was 5 minutes early btw…). I waited and waited and got no call. I was already worried anyway because I sort of knew if she didn’t hire me on the spot then I probably didn’t get it…
Well today at 1:51pm, I got this text message. The part about “availability” is really upsetting to me because I literally told her I was 100% open 24/7/365 and even told her a story about a time I was at Arby’s until 3:30AM deep cleaning the freezers with my manager at the request of our district manager, so I am even available outside normal business hours and willing to go what I would consider above and beyond for my company…
What did I do wrong? How is 6-8 years of experience, all-encompassing training and certifications, and completely open availability somehow NOT good enough for an entry level crew member position like this?!
Also, I was wearing clean black dress pants, a floral shirt, and a matching peach blazer with my hair in a neat high ponytail and my makeup done well but very natural and subtle…I didn’t slouch, or interrupt her, I called her ma’am and thanked her several times, and I smiled the whole time and was very friendly and enthusiastic.
I just don’t get it. This is going on month 6 I have been trying to find new job and I am honestly starting to lose hope and become extremely frustrated and depressed.
Any insight or advice for me at all?