I applied through Glassdoor, after nearly 2 weeks I got a communication back asking to answer a situational questionnaire, answer related questions via video, and watch a Walgreens related video. After probably another week+ I got another positive email asking for a face to face with the hiring manager (s). This communication had a ‘donotreply’ stamp which I found very odd. In case I or anyone have questions, we simply cannot reach back.
The morning of the interview I received a phone call from the location manager to remind me of the interview and asked if I was able to make it. I replied: “of course. I will be there, thank you!”
Now, somewhere in the website info I read it might even be a panel interview of maybe more than one manager and maybe more than one applicant at a time.
Once I arrived at the location, there were other applicants there. I approached an associate, she was very welcoming, though she stated to have a seat on “the chairs”. “The chairs” were directly placed alongside the front door near the anti theft device. I found this to be a tad demeaning to any prospective applicant. It felt like meat hanging at the meat market.
My interview was set at a specific time, though I did not interview for another 45 minutes since the applicant that was sitting down at first went in about 20 minutes after my arrival. Maybe to account for possible ‘no shows?’
Finally, I was summoned to the office and encountered 2 managers, one from the store and another from a nearby location. They were welcoming, explained briefly the process and we proceeded to the interview.
Interview was read from standardized questions, they took turns asking questions although they didn’t seemed to be in sync with each other.
I answered all questions to my best ability, also providing factual examples of my job related experiences. So I believe it went well.
When I was asked if I had questions, which I did. They answered. I also asked about the length of the trainee process, they stated 2 years max. Here is one of the interviewers went on a rant about how, no matter how much experience I could possibly have, Walgreens was a different entity, which had a pharmacy and that was a total game changer (that was the idea). Researching my job duties I learned that the pharmacy has its own manager and the relationship between about is not as direct as conveyed by the interviewing manager.
I also learned it’s simply a hourly position. I was asked how much I made currently, since I am still employed; and to my surprise without a skip the mentioned hourly they would offer me was exactly the same. I found that a bit on the easy way out approach. Aside from that I also learned that the only individual who benefits from performance bonuses is the store manager, no one else at the store level.
Well I’m running long on this review so, when we finished, again I was dismissed warmly. They explained they had 10
Applicants they needed to interview and that I would get an answer late the following week.
Long story short, I received an answer the next day, now that I checked on the date. The answer was “Thank you for your interest in our company. Unfortunately, we have other candidates that better fit the skills of the position. We appreciate your time and attention to our process and hope you consider other opportunities we have available.”
Even if I was hired, I feel the system currently in place, although seemingly working, I feel it gives room for potentially great employees to be looked over and passed on.
I believe the system in place needs to be more transparent.
One more take away from the experience was that both managers seemingly trying to top each other mentioned how one was with the Walgreens for the better part of two decades and the other countered with almost two decades. That is a mighty long time almost a lifetime to be considered for a store manger position. Promotions at Walgreens seem to go at a glacier pace. Multi billion dollar corporation with a top heavy payout system.