Staples Operations Manager interview questions

Typical scenario is that openings are posted for internal candidates prior to public posting. Based on store operating model (almost all part time associates), few internal candidates qualify. HR screens applicants with phone interviews. District Manager then interviews qualified candidates, passes along some for background checks,etc. Salary was non-negotiable.

I found the job posted on Indeed.com, and was directed to the Staples webpage to apply and use the Taleo system to place application. Two days after entering the application I received an email from the Staples recruiter asking to set a time for a phone interview. One week after the email contact I had the phone interview. The woman was very pleasant and started the interview by asking for information about the relavant jobs on my resume. She asked many open ended questions and I was happy provide a response (questions were VERY typical of a retail management position and were from a form). I explained the reasons for departure from my previous employeers with exception of a position with Office Depot which was a personal matter and if I let her know the exact reason it could give away to her my marital status, age and if I have children or not-none of which matter for the position I was applying. I believe this was the #1 reason I was not offered the job. Second, is that since the job was listed as Operations Manager I focused my efforts discussing efforts I put forth as a Operations Manager for Circuit City, then toward the end of the interview she explained that they are looking for people that can lead the sales force. Which I then had to back peddle and try to get as much of my past sales experience into the interview during the closing statements, but by then it was too late. Third, she said that I had done a lot of job hopping, which is true but it was all the same type of position and for additional money. 21 years in job market with 8 retailers averages to be 2.6 years-this is ABOVE average for much of retail and the national average for all jobs is 3 years so I am right on target. This was a negative experience because she explained what the next steps were, but I did not receive information from her as she mentioned so I had to do the follow up, after I sent a follow up email the next day I received a system generated form email declining me moving to the next step. Good luck! Something worth mentioning-Assitant Manager positions with this company are now paid on an hourly basis to 40 hours and then time and half to 45 hrs and then a declining scale over 45 hours, schedule is typically 45 hours. This is good to keep your hours in check and helps with a work/life balance.