Seasonal Worker at Best Buy-want to stay afterwards. What are the odds of them keeping me? (employees, job openings)

[Theliberalvoice]

Any former Best Buy workers here? Any retail seasonal workers who became part time?

I was hired in as seasonal and today they asked me to fill out a form asking what I wanted to do.

I wrote that I wanted to stay but only work up to 10-15 hours a week because of school. I was hired in saying this as well and they were pretty good about the hours until this week...because of the holidays, lol.
They had the option of starting again in Summer if you were needed. I selected that as well.

I have been good. All of my managers but one seems to like me. Even that one can get along with me when she is not having a mood swing. Most of my customers are happy and I have always shown up on time. I have never called off. If I knew I was unable to make it, I ALWAYS found someone to cover for me.

I do admit I still make mistakes where I go for. But they seem cool with it since I have been working for two months only and up until now I was only working 1 or 2 days a week.

So basically, what are the signs I can look for? I see many that can go either which way. Like for example, on Black Friday, they put me as a "floater" so I can cover anyone. Many told me this was a good sign indicating I knew about the product. Second of all, during my second week, I got a customer comment emailed to the manager about my service. It happened many times after.

But at the same time, I see how slow our store is. The economy is hurting Michigan a lot. My manager seems to dislike me and times and then really like me. It confuses me. I notice that I don't have my act as together as other co workers but then again, most of them have worked for 2 or 3 years and I have been there for two months. Would they want to keep someone who only works 10-15 hours a week? But then again, they were cool with it when they hired me.

I don't know. Any tips?

[PurpleLove08]

I would try to see if you could work possibly 20 hours.

I would look at your other co-workers and see what they're doing that you're not.

As for managers not liking you hmm.... Sometimes managers can not like you but recognize you're a good worker. Weird but true.

At my first job I had a manager that would call me out whenever I would do the slightest thing incorrect (despite being one of or THE hardest working employee) but she would always tell everyone to follow my lead, listen to me, etc. For example, I worked at a movie theater and we had to get ready for "the rush." I would always be one of the few people who would pop the popcorn ahead of time, prepare nacho trays, etc.


Retail definitely isn't a good sector to be in unless you're selling essentials such as groceries.

I say two months is pretty good for a seasonal job. Is there any chance you can get hired at a grocery store?

[montanamom]

Sounds like you are a terrific employee, the kind a store would like to keep on, if possible.

Just one question - how many times have you had to "find someone to cover" for you as you said? I wouldn't do that too often.

Some of them wanted to stay on permanantly and performed well for us, that is, when they decided to "bless us with their presence".

The seasonal hires we HAVE decided to keep on permanently need some further training in some areas - but haven't missed a day of work as scheduled. Both came in on short notice many times when those with frequent "weekend-itus" or "car trouble-itus" or "my pet's in labor-itus" could not.

So, now that I've ranted, my advice to you is, show up as scheduled, show up on time, don't have to "switch" your schedule with someone else very often, and keep the good work ethics you seem to already have. Tell them they can call you in sometimes when the "slackers" call off. Don't worry so much about managers, etc. "liking you". You sound like a good worker, if you're dependable and they have the hours available, sound like they'll want to keep you on after the holidays.

[montanamom]

Wow, I left an entire chunk of my post above out completely because I was interrupted and had to log off quickly!

Anyway, as a retail manager myself, I was involved in the interviewing and hiring of seasonal employees. We hired these employees from hundreds (I know, a sad sign of the times) of applications we received. We looked at availability first before we even set up the interviews. Apparently, many of the job-seekers were not really as "available" as they said they were when we hired them.

Many of the seasonal hires have already called off "sick", etc. numerous times, frequently on weekends and nights when we needed their help the most. This leaves us short-handed, and puts a burden on those responsible enough to come to work. I have to scramble to try to call other workers in, who have understandably, made their plans for their scheduled time off already. This is a HUGE hassle. Then, the next week, those very same people who left us hanging hight and dry whine and wonder why they are not getting more hours! I know it's a low pay menial job, but if you don't want it, move along. Someone else may need it.

I know people really do get sick sometimes, but come off it. You either need to work or you don't. You can't just get a job and then work whenever the heck you feel like it. Retail hours ARE rough -we work when most other people get to be off, ESPECIALLY OVER THE HOLIDAYS. Just a fact, don't apply if you can't handle it. Also, if your are under say 25 years old, and you are really getting sick that often, you better get to a doctor and quick. That's just not natural.

I will keep on a poorer performer who consistantly makes it to work on time when scheduled and seems to want to work, before I'll keep on someone who is an ace, cracker-jack performer but who I can't count on to come to work. I don't need the hassle. This includes constantly needing to "switch with soneome". I can't wait to see them go. We are, after all, already scheduling around the availablity they said they had on their application.

[Theliberalvoice]

Wow. Thanks for the advice you guys.

Well, the only times (like 3 or 4 times) that I have found someone to cover my shift was because of school. Not because of being sick. They scheduled me to work on days I had school even though my availability did not allow it.

Speaking of which. I was not supposed to work today. I have three finals tomorrow and had someone covering my shift. He told me he would for 3 or 4 days. He texted me last minute and told me could not do it now. I got up and went to work. When my manager saw me, she was like "I thought you told you me last night that you were supposed to study!" I told her the person who was supposed to cover me called off last minute. (And the above poster is so right-they get less hours and then whine about it. The guy that was supposed to cover for me only gets 13 hours and complains how seasonal workers get more hours than him. Now I see WHY!)

She called me into the office and talked to me about it. She shook her head and said she was sorry because should know better. And then gave me a 90 day review. I did GREAT! I met expectations and she told me I was an exceptional worker. She said yesterday a lady hunted her down just to tell her how she was VERY VERY happy with my service. I work in the camera department. :-D

BUT....she did not say if they would keep me or not here. She said I would find out within the next couple of weeks but it looks like it will be decided in my favor. What do you guys all think?

[montanamom]

I hope she'll be smart and keep you! The fact that you went on into work when your replacement crapped out on you shows responsibility. Actually, just the fact that you're working AND trying to go to school shows that you're no slacker. I can't understand why an employer would have any problem with that. Keep up the good work - if they don't keep you after the holidays, don't take it personally though. Most retailers are cut to the bone for hours by their corporate offices after Christmas. Keep trying, you will eventually find an employer who will appreciate and retain you, and be willing to work around your school obligations.

[yellowsnow]

I'm working a seasonal job too. Just like you, I'm being told how wonderful I am on a daily basis. Great sales, great with customers, want to keep you, etc, etc.

I think it's OK to be hopeful but don't count on it and don't stop looking for another job. WE don't know what's going to happen and chances are the low level managers don't either. They probably don't make any decisions. They do what they are told to do. The decisions are likely made by people who have never seen or heard of you.

It's cliche but true. Hope for the best but expect the worst. That way you will be prepared.

[malamute]

I think you should ask the manager about any possible job openings, either at that store or any others (if you live where there might be others). Don't assume a manager doesn't like you, sometimes they are in the habit of keeping a distance, trying to be impartial, or they don't get too attached to temporary employees.

If the manager doesn't know of any job openings in that chain, ask if you can get a reference letter, keep you in mind if anything should open up in the future and ask if they know of any other possibillities of similar jobs.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by montanamom

Sounds like you are a terrific employee, the kind a store would like to keep on, if possible.

Just one question - how many times have you had to "find someone to cover" for you as you said? I wouldn't do that too often.

Some of them wanted to stay on permanantly and performed well for us, that is, when they decided to "bless us with their presence".

The seasonal hires we HAVE decided to keep on permanently need some further training in some areas - but haven't missed a day of work as scheduled. Both came in on short notice many times when those with frequent "weekend-itus" or "car trouble-itus" or "my pet's in labor-itus" could not.

So, now that I've ranted, my advice to you is, show up as scheduled, show up on time, don't have to "switch" your schedule with someone else very often, and keep the good work ethics you seem to already have. Tell them they can call you in sometimes when the "slackers" call off. Don't worry so much about managers, etc. "liking you". You sound like a good worker, if you're dependable and they have the hours available, sound like they'll want to keep you on after the holidays.

Exactly. Work the schedule you're given. The getting people to "cover" for you caught my eye as well.

You do sound like a good worker, but work you schedule....managers don't like people switching and last minute changes like that.

[Theliberalvoice]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

Exactly. Work the schedule you're given. The getting people to "cover" for you caught my eye as well.

You do sound like a good worker, but work you schedule....managers don't like people switching and last minute changes like that.

Really?

The only time I asked them too was when it conflicted with school. And they did not have to switch anything. I was the one who would find people. They did not have to scramble to find someone.

Thanks for ALL THE ADVICE EVERYONE