I was an internal applicant with multiple years of experience with the company. I interviewed for multiple locations with this position open and all three were phone interviews due to the locations not being nearby. One location barely gave me the time of day, called me in the late evening, and seemed confused that I didn't want to do the interview then and there with no warning as if I didn't have anything else going on. That interview lasted just a few minutes and the guy didn't really ask me any "real" interview questions, so I'm guessing they already had someone at the store selected and they called me as a "courtesy." The second location seemed much more interested, there was a great dialogue, and the General Manager gave thoughtful answers to my questions. About 30-40 minute interview. I didn't get that position but he emailed me afterwards explaining why and what I could improve on in interviews going forward. Great experience. The third location also gave me a proper interview with most of the same questions as the second location but he seemed like he was just going through the motions with the questions, but he seemed appreciative of my time at least. Didn't get that position either and didn't get any explanation.

It was a panel interview, though the panel members threw me off a bit. I expected strictly members of management/HR in such a panel, but it ended up being two managers and two warehouse associates. While I do think it's fantastic that the warehouse associates would be given a say on who their new boss would be, their inclusion in the interview completely blindsided me. I've never seen or heard of associates being part of the interview process like that. As a result, I definitely bumbled the interview. I wasn't sure how influential they would be in the decision and thus was treading too carefully on my answers as try to balance impressing them and the managers at the same time, but clearly failed on both fronts as a result. A little notice on this format would have gone a long way I think with my chances... I used Glass Door to prepare, but didn't see other instances of this format for interviews, so I'm guessing it can differ by individual store location. Anyway, the GM claimed they were looking to make a decision that day after a couple more interviews and give a call that night. Never got a call, and still no declined email. Questions were typical retail related situational questions ("Describe a time that...").