Applied online for the support specialist position at J.C. Penney. Was contacted by phone about a week later and had a very short five minute, fairly easy phone interview with HR. Basic questions consisted of why do you want to work at J.C. Penney, current job status, what are some of your strengths. Then we went over what the job entails, salary expectations and hours. I initiated a lot of those questions so I'm not sure what normally takes place. Scheduled for in person interview for two days later. Went in two days later sat down in office was immediately met with HR person that had phone interview with. She handed out name tags for the group of four people waiting to be interviewed. Had no idea this would be a group interview. We were all lead into this office and sat down surrounding a table with building blocks on it. Given some quick instructions with an ipad and were given 10 seconds at a time to look at the structure then without ipad give out instructions and lead others into recreating the structure. This process went on for several rounds and we were given five minutes total as a group. This is when they're observing how well you interact with the others on your team, your skills, if you're passive, if you take initiative, how do you deal with adversity, treat others etc. (They do want the structure color coordinated and similar to whats on the ipad, just getting it "done" doesn't cut it even if that is the group's approach) We were then introduced to one of the department managers who was there to sit along and observe along with the HR person. (Didn't say much but noticed how this person and HR person passed around the ipad during interview most likely going over notes on who they liked or didn't for the job whilst the interview was taking place.) We were given another task of picking an event or new product that JC Penney could promote. Each were given a sheet with four options. Each person picked the best option and had to elaborate why it would be the best option for the store, the benefits, the cons of the others etc. We were then instructed to select the best option out of the four each of the members had selected. Again this is when they're going to observe your leadership and interaction skills. How you came to the decision, etc. The interview ended shortly afterward. Total process took about one hour. We were told they'd get back to us, had to go through background checks, drug test etc. However as with any job interview if interested they will let you know or give some sort of indication before you leave that office that they are interested. Two of the individuals were held back for some sort of questioning on their application. It was pretty easy to read between the lines that they would be offered the job.

They called me about a week after I applied. I missed the call but she left a voicemail to call her and schedule a time for the interview. I called back and arranged a time to come in. I went in and met with the lady and talked to her one on one. They were pretty simple questions that could be answered on the spot. We talked about availability and work hours. A good majority of questions were questions like "Name a time...". Like "Name a time you exceeded someone's expectations", "Name a time a customer was upset and what you did to calm them down". Those were pretty easy and I could come up with a good response almost instantly. There were a few questions were I couldn't think of anything so I made something up on the spot, but for the most part I gave an honest answer.