Any Advice For My Hearth Shop Job Interview Tomorrow?

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Todd

Minister of Fire
Nov 19, 2005
10,323
NW Wisconsin
I have a job interview for sales or installs with a local hearth shop Friday. Anyone have any tips or advice? I've learned tons here from all you guys and appreciate it.
 
Tell them that you were personally responsible for every Woodstock Fireview sold in the last year, that your nickname is "Sooty Todd" and that whatever that big chunk of steel is that you passed in the aisle of the store is the greatest wood stove ever made. :lol:
 
list your hobbies as: lifting heavy things, and playing in ash.

I really dig the "Sooty Todd" BB, thats ones a winner in any hearth shop.

Oh yeah, dont wear sandals.
Good Luck Todd!
 
Don't misspell "masonry". Rick
 
Demonstrate that you can listen to the customer. Nothing ends an interview for me faster than a sales person telling me that they are the best one out there and can sell to anybody. The obvious question is then why are they looking for a job. While you need to demonstrate your knowledge, demonstrating that you can listen is equally important.
 
Todd, do not forget to mention your "Pyro Extraordinaire" status on the Hearth.com forums. Its like a medal of honor.......without the medal....or the honor.
 
Make sure they know you are an ardent wood gather and burner.
Be confident and clean.
Look who ever it is in the eye at all times.
Mimic their posture and nod your head a lot while listening.
Mention you like to help others and that you work hard and are honest.
Listen intently....be early. Don't be afraid to smile and stand tall.
Do not complain about other employers. Be positive in all you say.
Be assertive...reach out to shake your contacts hand.Look them in the eyes,smile and introduce yourself.

When I got my job at Yukon I told them" You need me" and that I was ready to roll my sleeves up to get to work....started the next day and that was 12 years ago.
 
Thanks for the great advice guys. Thanks for the nickname BB. I was surprised they called me during the slow time of the year, could just be a part time gig, but I think I would enjoy it whether part time or full.
 
I wasn't very original with the nickname. Bob Daniels the founder of Copperfield Chimney Supply anointed him himself "Sooty Bob" a long time ago. He is quite the promoter so most in the business know him as that.
 
Sooty Todd said:
Thanks for the great advice guys. Thanks for the nickname BB. I was surprised they called me during the slow time of the year, could just be a part time gig, but I think I would enjoy it whether part time or full.
Now is the time to gear up for the heating season.
 
CrappieKeith said:
Make sure they know you are an ardent wood gather and burner.
Be confident and clean.
Look who ever it is in the eye at all times.
Mimic their posture and nod your head a lot while listening.
Mention you like to help others and that you work hard and are honest.
Listen intently....be early. Don't be afraid to smile and stand tall.
Do not complain about other employers. Be positive in all you say.
Be assertive...reach out to shake your contacts hand.Look them in the eyes,smile and introduce yourself.

When I got my job at Yukon I told them" You need me" and that I was ready to roll my sleeves up to get to work....started the next day and that was 12 years ago.


And that you have 3636 posts on hearth.com
 
don't be afraid to get your hands dirty, and make that known. if you are afraid of heights, or not, thats fine; but you gotta do them and always have a healthy repect for them. lifting stoves is not that hard; people puss out when they see how heavy a stove can be. just grab on hard, and don't just let go and drop that much weight on the guy on the other side. set em down easy as possible, enamel is a bit(h when you chip it.
Be considerate of every one you work with, and your customers. you are dealing with the very serious issue of installing fire into the middle of someone's wooden house. take the specs and mfg recs very seriously, as well as the fire codes. if it ain't gonna make it, then don't install/sell it.. a lost sale or install is way better than a lost business due to litigation. The customers are dealing with a several thousand dollar (or more) investment of said combustiable situation into their house, and trust it to work because of what you sold and/or installed for them. their concerns are legit, and because of the dollars they spend at your place of business, and the respect they show you by letting you into their home, demands the same respect from you. don't go into their house messing with their things, setups, even laying out a drop cloth without first asking or suggesting the notion to them. the more input they feel THEY have with the situation makes them more comfy and happy with the whole notion of you being there. say thank you often. and be to work 20-30 minutes early (especially in the fall/winter) to start loading up for the day.
Its a great business, and once it gets into you, its hard to quit it... its like stove crack. Good Luck!!!
 
Shave, unless you already have a beard, etc :lol:

A note pad & pen. Leave your cell in the car.
 
Delta-T said:
list your hobbies as: lifting heavy things, and playing in ash.

I really dig the "Sooty Todd" BB, thats ones a winner in any hearth shop.

Oh yeah, dont wear sandals.
Good Luck Todd!

.......... OR pink Crocks!!!!! :lol:
 
Doing The Dixie Eyed Hustle said:
...Leave your cell in the car.

That's assuming they've given you a cell large enough to put your car in. Rick
 
This is true
roll.gif
 
Some interviewers will ask at the end, do you have any questions for us? I always like to ask the, "where do you see this company in 5 years?" question.

Good luck.
 
All of the above and be as familiar as possible with the stoves and other products they sell. It helps to point out attractive features or options of a few of their stoves. Are you ready to start work this afternoor or tomorrow morning? Tell them.

Good luck.

John_M
 
You've most likely already gained a lot of knowledge from being here and your past experiences in burning wood -- letting the prospective employer know that you're a wood burner and know your stuff is good . . . as long as you don't come across as a know-it-all.

A lot of other good advice here . . . but of course, be yourself.

Finally, good luck.
 
Let the passion you have for wood burning show through. I would hire someone in a minute who showed me they loved the industry and were dedicated to learning everything they could about what I am selling. So, make sure you ask about how you will be trained and what access you will have to information so you can become as knowledgeable about what they sell as possible.
 
LEEver & Fulcrum said:
Delta-T said:
list your hobbies as: lifting heavy things, and playing in ash.

I really dig the "Sooty Todd" BB, thats ones a winner in any hearth shop.

Oh yeah, dont wear sandals.
Good Luck Todd!

.......... OR pink Crocks!!!!! :lol:

pink crocs a no, no ? well, I know some guys at my shop who are gonna be a bit miffed. there just gonna have to buck up and get some purple ones I guess.
 
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