Interview Project – Part 1
Chelsea DeVisser
Interview Project: Part 1
Communication 1010
06/19/12
Background Information
My Interviewee:
I'm planning to interview Keith Lubeck. He works at Walmart in Taylorsville he has recently been
promoted to Support Manager. I will be interviewing him at a restaurant because that is the easiest place to
conduct the interview. Keith works in the backroom with the receiving associates so I can’t go in the back and
conduct an interview. The reason I chose to interview Keith is because I want to be a manager of some kind of
company one day. Another I chose to interview him is because he is a very hard working and dedicated worker.
His other co-workers always tell him that he can keep going higher up in the company.
I will make sure to ask as many open ended questions as possible so the interview should run smoothly. I will
have some close ended one but follow up with secondary questions.
Preliminary Research:
I am currently going to school for Cosmetology and Barbering I plan on becoming a Manager at a salon
possibly at Walmart. So I am interested in the management aspect of a company such as Walmart. Management
seems like a great thing to go into I want to learn how to help run a company. Business would be the best thing
for me to go into in a company you can keep going higher up.
I know that to be a Support Manager you have to make sure people below you do what they are told to or
you get blame for it. Also when you are Support Manager you still have people above you that you have to listen
to. In a huge company like Walmart open communication is critical. A Support Manager has to make sure all the
pallets are stacked and that the shelves are stocked.
I learned from Walmarts web site that you have to at least have you high school diploma to be a Support
Manager at Walmart. If you go into school for business you are more likely to go higher up in Walmart. If you get
an Associates Degree in business the company will put you higher up. I found that the Walmart mission statement
is “We save money so people can live better lives.” I found that Walmart has three main beliefs are to respect for
the individual, service to the customer, and striving for excellence. Sam Walton philosophy for Walmart is
Teamwork. Hourly pay for a Support Manager at Walmart starts at about $10.
Position Requirements *Previous retail, supervisory, Wal-Mart, or equivalent experience is preferred.
*Must be at least 18 years of age.
*Must be able to count whole numbers and decimals, add subtract, multiply, and divide, and be able to use whole
numbers, decimals, and fractions.
*Must be able to write, read, and understand printed material, and be able to communicate with both Customers
and other Associates.
Essential Functions - *Continuously plan/supervise/evaluate hourly Associates, operations, merchandise, and
financial areas within the store.
*Accurately and efficiently:
*Place items in their correct locations, which may include bending, stooping, and reaching.
*Prepare/file/mail/maintain routine paperwork.
*Mentor, teach, assign duties, recognize, supervise, and communicate with hourly associates correctly and
efficiently.
*Work in area that may require exposure to extreme conditions.
*Understand, effectively follow, and enforce all company procedures, company policies, and laws regarding the
supervision of hourly associates, the sales of all restricted items, and the use of chemicals.
*Resolve customer and associate concerns and demonstrate good customer service.
*Pick up items such as small coins and changed the labels/paper in the portable/SMART printers.
*Items to shipping labels, pricing labels, shelf labels, chemical container labels, and other store signing and to
the handheld/SMART terminal display, report, and logbooks.
*Communicate effectively with customers and other Wal-Mart associates.
Interview Plan
Opening:
Hi Keith thanks for taking your time to meet me today. As we talked about before I am interviewing you
because I am interested in your job as a Support Manager. I have prepared some questions that I would like to
ask you so I can better understand your job. I am conducting this interview because it is an assignment for my
communications class. I am also interested in your job as a Support Manager. I will be asking you about your
typical day at work like and dislikes about position, and problem solving. This interview will take about an half an
hour. Ready to get this interview started.
Body:
Topic 1: Typical Day at Work
I would like to know is about your typical day at work.
1. What tasks do you have to complete as a Support Manager? (Primary, Open)
- How often do you have to train other associates? (Secondary, Open)
- What are your main tasks at work that you have to do every day? (Secondary, Open)
2. As a support manager what machinery do you have to be certified to use? (Primary, Open)
- How often are there accidents with machines like the Pallet Jack? (Secondary, Open)
3. Typically how many Support Managers are in the back with the receiving associates? (Primary, Open)
-Do Support Managers have to unload pallets like receiving associates do or do you just make sure the
truck is unloaded on time? (Secondary, Closed)
4. I know that as a support manager you have to make sure everything in the back room is taken care of what
happen if things don’t get done? (Primary, Open)
-If the back room is not cleared on time what happens? (Secondary, Open)
5. Do you typical know what tasks you are supposed to do when you get to work or are you told what to do?
(Primary, Open)
- When you get to work do you finish tasks that other associates couldn’t finish the day before? (Secondary,
Closed)
6. How does your shift usually end? (Primary, Open)
Topic 2: Problem Solving
Problem solving seems critical in your job.
1. What do you have to do when receiving associates are not cooperating? (Primary, Open)
- Do you have to inform a Manager or will the associates have to all be coached? (Secondary, Closed)
-Or do you have to just deal with the situation yourself? (Secondary, Closed)
2. What do you when an associates is caught stealing by another co-worker? (Primary, Open)
- If you can’t catch them doing it do you just let it slide? (Secondary, Closed)
3. What procedures are supposed to be followed when an associate is using dangerous equipment
incorrectly? (Primary, Open)
4. What happens when the wrong truck is unloaded gets unloaded what are you supposed to do?
(Primary, Open )
5. What do you do when a co-worker tells you a task is finished and it really isn’t? (Primary,
Open)
– Do you have to take the blame for the task they really didn’t do? (Secondary, Closed)
-Or do you have to make sure to check that they did what they said was done? (Secondary,
Closed)
Topic 3: Likes and Dislikes about Job
Lastly I would like to know what likes and dislikes about your job
1. What kinds of tasks do you dislike? (Primary, Open)
-- What is one simple task that you dislike doing and why? (Secondary, Open)
--What complex task you dislike and why? (Secondary, Open)
2. What things in your work environment do you like? (Primary, Open)
--If you could change one thing about the Walmart work environment what would it be and why? (Secondary,
Open)
3. Do you more so like your job or dislike your job? (Primary, Closed)
4. What education do you recommend that I strive for if I want to work at a company like Walmart? (Primary,
Open)
Clearinghouse question: The interviewee's turn
1. Is there anything else I should know about this position that we haven’t discussed? (Primary, Open)
2. Do you recommend anyone else that I can talk to learn more about this position? (Primary, Bipolar)
Closing
Those are all the questions I have for you. I really appreciate you taking you time to help me with my
communication assignment. The information that you have provide me with is very helpful. I would love to work
for a big company like Walmart. The interview went really well I got all the information I needed. Thank you
again for helping me with this assignment. (Handshake) Bye Have a great day ( Smile.)