Gander Mountain Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – Initially I was contacted by a recruiter from thier corporate head quarters. She interviewed me by phone for an hour. These questions had to do with previous experience, situational questions about management style, career goals and what I knew about the company.

 The following week, I was then contacted by the district manager who had me come in for a 1:1 interview at the store. This interview was somewhat informal and consisted of questions about why I wanted to work for the company, what my interest was in the outdoors, and a review of my job history.

Two days later, I was contacted by the area HR manager. They interviewed me by phone. This interview lasted about 45 minutes and was structured. Typical HR script type questions. Focused on specific expamples of situations and management and leadership style. I was given information on company benefits and a general pay range for this position was discussed.

Week 3, I was contacted by Gander Mountains corporate headquarters and invited to fly to Minnesota to their corporate head quarters for interviews and an evaluation. They made the flight arrangements, rented a car, hotel reservations and reimbursed all the travel expences I encured. Prior to this visit, I was sent a link with 7 online tests to take. These ranged from personality, aptitude and psychological exams. These took a total of 3 hours to complete. My travel arrangements had me fly in, get a car and be to the corporate headquarters for my first interview an hour after I landed. I had 4 interviews in succession with director of store operations, HR director and the corporate recruiter that had initially contacted me. All the questions they asked were straight forward background, management style and situational in nature.

The following morning I had to travel to CPI's offices, a psychologist consulting firm. I then had a 2 hour interview with a psychologist. This was like any other job interview but the questions were much more touchy feely and expanded on my feelings, other people's opinions etc. Uncomfortable and stange. Then I was brought to a room and given 3 more timed tests on my vocabulary, math and interpretations skills. I then had two hours to get to the airport and fly home.

Apon my return, I'm not called for 5 days. Then I am contacted my the district manager to come into the store for my 8th interview. This time I am asked to talk to the outgoing store manager. For the 8th time I explain why I want to work for this company, my work background, my management style etc. Then I get debriefed on what obsticles I will face taking over this store, what is going on with building repairs and maintenance etc. If I had to describe it, I would call it a passing of the torch conversation. I'm also handed a copy of the bonus structure during this meeting.

The following week, I am called and told they are going in a differant direction for this specific location but I am encouraged to stay in touch with them and apply for another position when one comes open.

After 8 interviews, flying 1/2 way across the country and back in two days and spending nearly 20 hours in my car travelling to and from interviews, I'm not sure this is a company I wanted to work for anyway.

Key take aways from conversations I had:
1) company restructuring, going private due to poor financial performance, history of bankrupcy.
2) Recent changes in middle management, these guys have history of woking for Budweiser, they don't know retail but, they know business.
3) Bonus structure not great. 28% of annual salary max, based on sales, profit, shrink, credit card apps, extended warrenties.
4) Selling guns brings alot of red tape. Someone on your team makes a simple mistake on ATF forms and you and half your team could find yourselves on unemplyment in a heartbeat.
5) Looking for good ole country boys that drive a pickup and like killen stuff. Present yourself in a blue collar fashion with a hands on approach. Community envolvement with local civic organizations.

Interview Details – I was interviewed by 3 people. 2 Inventory Managers and 1 HR Representative. The interviews were pretty basic, normal interviews. Introductions were given and backgrounds were discussed. Very conversational.

I thought everyone was very friendly and personable.

The office and work culture seemed excellent. People were very friendly and team oriented.

The office was in downtown St. Paul. The building looked as though renovation had been done.

Interview Details – Store manager reviewed my resume, said it was very impressive. Asked leading questions like "What would you do if an irate person wanted more than policy allowed". After clarifying the question (is it legal, does it involve firearms, ammunition, etc) gave a precise and sufficient answer that was accepted as very good. Interview continued in this manner, notes were taken by Manager, who seemed very impressed and said I'd be great at the job. I was told they would get back with me. The next day was introduced to my new boss (the position I was interviewed for).
Very underhanded process. Should have been told upfront the position was already filled. It takes at least a week to get hired so they had already hired someone prior to the interview even though I'd applied three weeks earlier.

Interview Details – This was a new store and interviews were held at a local hotel. I applied online and got a call back with the details of when and where to meet for an interview. Prospective employees were called in one by one to be interviewed. I was interviewed by our store manager.

Questions were simply and to the point, and seemingly was more of a personality test than really testing your knowledge of products or customer service.

Why do you want the job?
Why would you be a good fit for Gander Mountain?
Tell me about your outdoor experience.
What was your favorite outdoor memory?

Negotiation Details – I received .50 lower than my asking hourly wage. I believe i was making $8.75

Interview Details – Met with Store Manager and he recommended me to the DM. I interviewed with the DM and was offered a training position. I had to pass a background and drug test. I also had to do a phone interview with an employee in the HR department. I was given the opportunity to start on a date that I picked, due to prior plans with my family.

Negotiation Details – I was not given a chance to negotiate my salary.

Interview Details – Good hiring process. Thorough interview process and corporate training. Promise of positional training, but never followed through. Corporate training details many benefits available to employees with emphasis on open and encouraging access to all employees; failed to deliver on most simple benefit agreement.

Negotiation Details – Not extensive. Offered a low, $8.25 hourly wage, and I requested higher amount. at $11.00/hour. Denied and told that all sales positions start at $8.00/hr. Needed a job so I took the offer.

Interview Details – Interview went quickly, there's a basic product knowledge test, and a sit down with the Compliance Officer, the Zone Supervisor, and the Store Manager.

Negotiation Details – There was no negotiation on salary or the like.

Interview Details – Called to set up appointment after online process.

Interview Details – Applied online by filling out basic application along with attaching resume. I made contact with the HR person at the store and was informed they were still looking and that my application had populated into the system. I had a 5 min phone interview to get basic information, Then came in for 1:1 interview with Zone Manager (Assistant Store Manager). Had final interview with Store Manager.

Negotiation Details – I was able to negotiate start date to given two week notice at current job. Was able to talk about pay but wasn't very flexable.