Sheetz’ ‘Realistic Job Preview:’ Gauging an applicant

[Editor’s note: This third and final part of a series that describes the Sheetz ‘Realistic Job Preview,’ as it appears to prospective applicants. Part I appeared in the March 22 edition of NPN MarketPulse; Part II appeared in the March 29 edition.]

“Although Sheetz is a great place to work, it is not for everyone.”

Those words are spoken by Steve Sheetz, chairman of the board of Sheetz, Inc., as he introduces the Realistic Job Preview to visitors to the company’s Web site.

The Realistic Job Preview is designed to provide a behind-the-scenes look at what it is like to work at Sheetz, including an interactive survey to help an applicant determine whether Sheetz is right for them before they invest time in the formal application process, Sheetz tells visitors. And it also is designed to help the company determine whether an applicant is right for Sheetz, Inc. At the end of the survey, a fuel gauge appears: The closer the needle is to “full” the more suitable the applicant.

But that fuel gauge doesn’t appear till the conclusion of the survey. At the outset, after describing the company – family owned, based in Altoona, Pa., with more than 325 locations in Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia – Steve Sheetz says, “We are committed to increasing our store growth every year. With this growth we are looking for quality people to join our team. People who are committed to exceeding our customers’ expectations through fulfillment of our corporate mission of total customer focus.

“As you will see, working at Sheetz requires a high level of energy,” Sheetz continues. “To help us ensure that we have only the best team possible we take the employment process very seriously.”

Viewers are then told that after reviewing the presentation, the employment process takes 60 to 90 minutes, and includes completing an application and assessment, participating in an interview, confirming previous employment, passing a drug test and passing a criminal background check.

In the job preview itself, a woman in a Sheetz uniform appears and begins talking about “DNA.”

“DNA is what you’re made of,” she says. “It is composed of individual markers that determine specific traits passed down from generation to generation. Your DNA is what makes you unique.”

She then goes on to describe Sheetz’ DNA: “It’s our culture, our values and what we pass along from employee to employee. It’s what makes us unique and gives our brand consistency Sheetz wide.

The characteristics that define Sheetz’s culture, the woman says, include high energy, dependability, a drive to win and respect.

“Sheetz is a unique retail experience and the single most important part of that experience is and always has been our employees,” she says. “They demonstrate the characteristics of our DNA and bring to life the Sheetz experience.”

Visitors can then click on the position they’re interested in learning about. This leads to a preamble that informs them that working at Sheetz requires a high level of commitment, pointing out that the stores are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week: “The pace is fast and exciting. No two days are ever alike.”

A picture of a woman appears, and a female voice says, “As the associate manager I’m responsible for managing the store in the absence of the manager.

This includes managing, ordering, inventory and the keys. I’m responsible for completing multiple tasks like Made-to-Order subs, salads and sandwiches, cash register, gas pumps, bathrooms, coffee, beverages and store cleanup. I’m also responsible for making sure the store is ready for the next shift to begin work.

“Although I am part of the management team I still perform any task in the store to ensure that every customer is satisfied. This role requires a greater level of responsibility. Not only must I make MTOs and work the cash register, but I must also be a leader to the staff, and lead by example.”

The woman observes, “You really need to like working with people – be willing to talk to them and listen to them. That’s why this job is perfect for me.”

With the stores open 365 days a year there are times when she is required to work weekends and holidays, including Christmas, the woman observes.

Also, she says, “Because associate managers are preparing to become store managers they must be able to communicate well with customers, use the computer system and know the inventory management procedures.”

The Web site then provides information on wages and benefits according to positions and geographic areas. For example, in North Carolina an assistant manager can earn $29,380 to $36,660 per year, plus a bonus. In Pennsylvania, an assistant manager can earn $26,910 to $38,480 per year plus bonus.

Benefits are available to part-time and full-time employees based on tenure, according to the preview.

It also notes that there are many opportunities for advancement as Sheetz promotes from within: “Many of our top operations management have worked their way up the ranks from sales associates to store managers and then from district managers to regional managers.”

Finally, the compatibility measure imparts various information points followed by related questions:

“As part of our professional image we require that all of our employees strictly adhere to our dress code, which requires a neat appearance and store uniform. The dress code strictly prohibits excessive jewelry, including facial jewelry, extreme haircuts or color, beards and visible tattoos.

“Are you willing to follow our dress code?

“If you have visible tattoos can they be covered by a uniform including a short-sleeved shirt?”

The site also asks whether applicants are willing to: work holidays, including Christmas; clean all areas of the store; and work 50 hours per week – five 10-hour shifts.

A fuel gauge appears, displaying the needle to show how suitable an applicant seems after completing the process. The fuel gauge for this reporter reached only to the quarter-full mark – presumably because he clicked on “maybe” when asked whether he would be willing to shave his beard.