Hockey Experts

[bigdmac 12]

Hey guys, my son got a call from Hockey Experts today asking him to come down for an interview. He wants a job, and I can't think of a better job for him than dealing with hockey equipment all day! So for all you LHS workers out there, what kind of questions can he expect to get during the interview? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

How did he apply? Just curious. The local chain of hockey stores has an online application that's basically non functional so I went and got a job elsewhere.

[AIREAYE 248]

Oh is that so? :P Which store? Congrats by the way :)

I'm the new guy at HX Dixie in Mississauga so I can answer this question. He'll get asked general stuff at first, such as where he plans to go to school, area of study and future plans. The manager is probably gauging his ability (not desire at this point) to commit to at least one or two shifts a week. For example if your kid lives in Calgary and is going to UBC for the next four years, that doesn't look so good on your part, due to distance.

They'll ask him why he wants to work there, the usual stuff. Any previous work background, volunteer, anything hockey related, his hockey background etc.

Then he'll get eased into the juicy stuff to judge his knowledge on gear. This is what I'm saying when I say that he has to know his stuff. I was asked about the APXs and replied with points about fit, related back to the 7.0 = X:60 stuff, ALIVE composite and what that does, compared to Supreme series etc. They'll just generally ask something open along the lines of : So tell me something about the _______ . After that, if your kid has impressed enough, they'll ask where he picked up his knowledge.

What happened to me was that I called ahead to let the manager know I was going to drop off a resume at first and to let him know who I was. Showed up on the day, met Lester8 (manager) who's on these boards and just started talking. Went in expecting to leave a resume and came out with a job LOL

Best of luck

@ BJB : HX and Forzani in general (Sportchek, National Sports etc.) have an online job bank, but judging from my recent search there, he probably just went in like I did in person, which is the best way imo.

[the_sock 1]

I agree, even though there is an online resume/application, it's always better to give a resume in person. This gives a good impression if you're able to carry a conversation, show some personal knowledge in hockey and show that you're able to talk the talk. Interviews are always a crap shoot, but if you show some personality before and after the interview, that goes a long way in the mind of managers. Can't tell you how many resumes and interviews that were supposedly top notch and flawless, but when they got to me on the sales floor, they couldn't talk to customer properly and achieve trust and respect.

Selling is 50% product knowledge and selling techniques and 50% personality. I'll admit I'm not the most personable conversationalist, and it did reflect on my sales at the store level (not always top sales levels, but never had returns), but customers and staff knew if they needed info in hockey, I was the person.

My final advice (and this comes from selling sporting goods at the store level for 13 years before working currently at office level in hockey purchasing) is sell what the customer needs, not what they want or what you think is a good sell. Just because it's on sales doesn't mean it's right for them. Don't be afraid to let the customer walk, but only with the knowledge with what they really need for them to make the right decision. More often then not, the customers who you let go but gave the right advice and they heard the same thing from another place will keep you in mind for their next purchase. You're out to make money, but the most important part of retail is that the customer is served.

[W.Heinle 0]

So how did the interview go?

[pittu 15]

My final advice (and this comes from selling sporting goods at the store level for 13 years before working currently at office level in hockey purchasing) is sell what the customer needs, not what they want or what you think is a good sell. Just because it's on sales doesn't mean it's right for them. Don't be afraid to let the customer walk, but only with the knowledge with what they really need for them to make the right decision. More often then not, the customers who you let go but gave the right advice and they heard the same thing from another place will keep you in mind for their next purchase. You're out to make money, but the most important part of retail is that the customer is served.

You may not have been the most personable salesperson in the store, but you certainly had the right attitude. I'd search you out if you were in my area and I needed advice or equipment based on what you just wrote. So many young kids (and older folks) that would do themselves and their companies a favor if they had your outlook.

They should make you the salesperson's motivizational speaker, LOL... :)

[AIREAYE 248]

kind of a kiss-ass post pittu, but it's true. the_sock gets it.

We'd rather send out a customer to a compeititor if they have what fits then send them out in ill-fitting gear. It's about integrity.

[bigdmac 12]

Sorry for the late response guys, been really busy with work. Thanks a ton for all the help, he said the interview went really well. He said the only hockey "knowledge" question he got was to name the three families of the Bauer skate, other than that it was just the usual stuff. He should get a call on Monday telling him if he got the job or not. As far as the application goes, he did apply on line, then applied at the store a couple days later, I agree in store is always better! Thanks again to everyone for helping out, he really appreciates it.

[AIREAYE 248]

Hope work is going well for you :) We appreciate it.

I'm surprised at the knowledge question...it's pretty soft LOL.