I kid you not! This really happened.
I have been looking for a full time job for some time now to supplement my almost non-existent real estate career. I have applied locally because I hate commuting on I-270. Those of you from the St. Louis SoCo area know what I am talking about.
A Giant Named department store at the mall in my neighborhood placed an ad for a full time floor sales clerk. I applied. The next day I am called for an interview. I wear my nicest floor salesperson outfit, nice jewelry, hair and make up. I meet with the Department Store Manager. She looks over my application and commences with the ‘get to know ya’ chit chat. We talk about my real estate, the recent decline and foreclosure market. She mutters a lot to herself, asks her secretary to hold her calls and then adds an appointment to her Outlook calendar. She seems a bit distracted. Here’s a portion of our conversation.
Dept. Store Manager: I see here, you sell houses.
Me: Yes, ma’am. I have been helping families buy and sell homes for over 8 years now.
Dept. Store Manager: So, you would be excellent at floor sales. (more talking to herself than me and immediately followed by the next question)
Dept. Store Manager: So do you know how to use a cash register?
and before I can tell her about my 4 years experience as a teen cashier at our local Kmart she answers the question herself…
Dept. Store Manager: Well, duh! You sell houses! Of course, you know how to use a cash register.
I just sat there. I didn’t know what to say.
Umm… yeah, we use cash registers in real estate. “Oh that is a great model! You’ll just love the 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and large fenced back yard. It comes with appliances, too. Would you like to add a home warranty to your home purchase? Great! That’ll be 235,489 dollars, please.”
P.S. I didn’t get the job. I think after the interview, she caught her blunder and decided it would be too uncomfortable. I can’t say that I am disappointed.
