Talking to the Boss Of...The Cinema Chain

Where: Odeon, Colchester.
Who: Margaret Saxby, Assistant Manager.

Margaret has been with the Odeon for 11 years. She has worked her way up from cashier to her current position of Assistant Manager. The Odeon employ 36 staff, including about 20 part time staff. The main age group of the staff, ranges form 16 and upward, however they prefer 17 year olds and above, but THEY WILL look at employing 16 year olds.

How do I get a job at the Odeon?

Basically there is a waiting list, so to be considered for an interview, so you should send a CV to the Cinema Manager, or sometimes via friends already working at the cinema.

For me the CV is all-important, the main points that must be included are,

· You must give all the relevant personal data.
· You should clearly state the hours and days available.
· You should give additional information about education/interests and any previous work experience.
· You should include a brief letter of application explaining why you want to work at the Odeon.
· The CV must be typed or word-processed.

We're looking for people who have thought about what is going to be involved and what they like doing (such as working with the public, meeting people, working in a team, variety of different jobs etc. etc.). For me the presentation of the CV is very important, it shows that the person has taken care over the application and therefore will be the sort of person who will take the same amount of care over their appearance, the job they do and the impression they create.

What do you Look for at the Interview?

The main things that I look for are,

   · Enthusiasm.
   · Sparkle.
   · Neat and tidy dress, you have to make the effort.
   · Willingness to talk about things and to ask questions.

The main things, which put me off someone at an interview are,

   · No eye contact.
   · Negative answers.
   · Single syllable replies.
   · Scruffiness.
   · Too much "face metal" (remember you are dealing with the public and generally they don't like it).

So if you get the job what will be involved?

You start with a basic 8-week training programme this is aimed at multi-skilling. This means is that you will be expected to fill in a number different roles, such as working on the kiosks and in the shop, looking after customers on the "floor" i.e. taking tickets, showing people to their seats, cleaning the screens after a show and working at the box office. You get a review halfway through this training programme.

What are the hours you work, if you are employed?

Basically you have a set number of hours to do each month, 4 to 5 hour shifts during the week, then all day Saturday or Sunday.

What is the pay like?

£3.94 an hour, right from day one and this is reviewed each January.

What qualities do you look for?

Well in particular I look for employees who are, 

· Customer centred.
· Polite and interested in customers, manners cost nothing but they help to make the customer experience better.
· Always smiling when dealing with people.
· Team Workers with the ability to get on with everyone.
· Positive in their attitude towards the Odeon and are looking after its good name.

What is likely to go wrong when working at the Odeon?

Well the main problems are,

· Dishonesty, but this is very rare.

· Rudeness to customers, this is something we can't allow but we are very lucky, as most of our staff are well trained and are very good with people.

· Absence and lateness. I feel that sometimes, young people don't take work seriously enough. Employees need to be responsible in terms of missing shifts, phoning in when sick and turning up on time, because otherwise it lets the whole team down and someone else has to fill in.

I will always try to deal with these issues by "having a quiet word" but if that doesn't work there is a disciplinary procedure that can be used, although I rarely have to. This is usually a series of warnings which give you time to put things right.

- The Pupiline Team