Enjoy The Film

The recruitment process for becoming a Multifunctional is spread over three stages. The first stage is the group interview where the interviewer sifts out those that cannot communicate or communicate so badly they cannot be put in front of a customer. The five minute chat serves no other purpose than information giving. About a hundred hopefuls apply. Competition is actually tougher for the company as there is already a local cinema and also a whole new mall open with top brand name stores competing for excellent customer service skills.

The next stage is the one to one interview. Reaching the destination was a challenge as the office complex gates had been kept locked that morning preventing entry. The interview itself took less than fifteen minutes with the interviewer using up most of the time to repeat the information given to us in the group interview. I was asked two questions and then it was his show. Why was I applying? Yes it was okay to need the money and to choose a cinema because I love films. How was I going to cope with working a sixth day of the week. The interviewer listened to my robust response and then answered the question himself by emphasising how easy the work is. But I was not sure that answer was really directed at me. He seemed to imply the work was easy but the ability of some of the applicants to focus was questionable. Perhaps more difficult questions could filter them out? Dealing with difficult customers? Handling complaints? What is customer service?

The third stage is the training. It’s length (three weeks) and assumption of knowing nothing beforehand could potentially put off the good ones. In fact there are drop outs straight away. It is not gruelling but some will still fail.

This is not highly paid work. The premium offered over the local rival cinema generates no desertions. The apparent depressing atmosphere at the local Sainsbury grocery store is a big driver. But Tesco pay substantially more and have no vacancies. Ken Livingstone spoke this week of over £7 an hour as a minimum wage – way more than what we are being paid. The benefit? Real evidence of lower turnover and higher job satisfaction. That’s a win-win and what these young people want more than seeing a film for free.