UniFirst Sales Manager Interview Questions
& Process

I was excited to interview after getting the invite. I did my research and had questions ready for the hiring manager for a role advertised at 80k-100k starting. However, the hiring manager (who spoke so quietly I had to lean in to hear her) mentioned a 44k base salary and 5 weeks of training that involved a 1 hour and 10 minute drive each way from the listed territory, totaling a 2 hour 20 minute daily commute. I figured the base had to be low because she was hesitant to share the salary. I just said the posting was misleading and that made me doubt the whole recruiting process. I quickly said this wasn't for me and if the base was more reasonable for what the role involves, it might have worked, but sketchy tactics during the interview told me all I needed to know about the culture of this department in the organization.

Started with a phone screen with the Regional Sales Manager. Then had an in-person interview with the Branch and General Manager. Following that, a video conference interview with the RSM and Regional VP which was the most intense. They asked a lot of "tell me about a time when" questions, and the RVP asked really direct questions that forced me to defend my answers. You'll need to stand up for yourself if you get that far. It can be pretty intense. Overall, they want to see if you're a good fit and if you'll stay with the company.

It took four interviews spanning three months, which felt really slow and tough. The first chat was supposed to be with a recruiter but ended up being with the regional VP who asked pretty standard stuff. Then, an in-person meeting with the local office manager, who seemed overworked, was super basic and short, only 20 minutes. The third interview was another phone call with the regional VP again, focusing on leadership versus management and handling tough employees, making me wonder why he didn't just ask that the first time. The fourth interview was back with the same overworked local manager. Again, just standard questions in a 20-30 minute meeting. The whole process dragged; between the third and fourth interviews, four weeks went by without Unifirst calling when they said they would, missing several deadlines. By the time of the fourth interview on Monday, they said I'd hear back by Friday. But knowing how things were going, I doubted it. Still no word by the next Tuesday, so I messaged the local manager to get an update since I have my own timelines. About 30 minutes later, I got a 'Thanks, but no thanks' email. Honestly, I'd already decided the previous Friday, after another missed deadline, that I wouldn't work for that manager.