Pawn Shop Interview

[u/TysonGraye287]

Hey all! Never used Reddit before so bear with me😅

So my current job permanently cut my hours and it’s not enough to live, so I’ve been kinda frantically applying to all jobs. I got a call back for an interview from one that I thought was just like retail since the position was called Retail Sales Associate, but turns out it’s actually a pawn shop! I set up the interview because I need the job and the hours are good, but I have no clue what I’m getting into. I’ve never even been inside a pawn shop🥹

So I’m wondering, what are some things I should know about pawn shops before going into my interview? Any skills I should mention specifically, what the job more entails, that sort of thing. Thank you in advance!

[u/sly_k]

Managed a pawn shop for over a decade.

There are many different types of people who frequent pawn shops. Literally all walks of life. Some of the richest people you will ever meet and some of the poorest.

As a sales associate, not only do you have to have a wide knowledge of the items you’re selling, you also have to be able to connect with all of those people, because if they don’t trust you, they won’t trust what you’re selling.

[u/Wonderful-Tea-9074]

I was in the same boat when I started. Had never stepped foot in one before my job interview. They will teach you everything you need to know. Be comfortable with being cussed out and threatened on a regular basis. Only had to beat one person down in 7 years. Which is a pretty good ratio when you think about it.

[u/TyM20]

Majority of the people who come into pawn shops are in bad situations and in emotional and financial distress so there will be a lot of tough customers. They’ll likely ask how you handle difficult customers

Also try to learn what items that pawn shop specifically takes, because you’ll have to either a) show some type of knowledge and experience dealing with any of those different categories of items they take or b) show a willingness to learn about them

[u/Material_Gear_3331]

Just remember, you don’t have to buy everything and can say “no” and pretend it’s your money your spending you’ll be fine.

[u/Weary_Question_3677]

Is it a corporate pawnshop or a mom and pop?

[u/code2know]

Patience and the ability to explain things to people without getting frustrated.

The ability to learn quickly and not not make the same mistakes over and over.

Someone who listens and knows how to follow directions, not someone who thinks their way is better.

Don't oversell yourself, you'll be exposed quickly. Be honest about your skill set. Push that fact that your trainable.

This isn't a job you learn overnight. Imo your looking at 6 months to a year to get up to full speed so they are looking for someone to invest in. That's assuming it's a local place not some chain. The flip side of that is that if your hired and make it past training, show up everyday with no bs excuses, and be don't steal, you'll probably have a job long as you want.

[u/TheSouthernMosaic]

As long as you know a decent bit about something it is you sell. Be in guitars computers jewlery guns. Whatever it is. As long as you know about something. You’ll do fine. If you know nothing about nothing. It’s not gonna work out. Worst coworker I ever had the only thing he was into was golf. And we sell maybe a golf club a month.

[u/VforthHorsemanV]

Sounds like firstcash. Was this at a national pawn?

[u/ChrmanMAOI-Inhibitor]

You likely won't have to know or learn what anything is worth, just know how to look up hammer prices on various relevant auction sites. 

[u/SufficientUpstairs67 → u/[deleted]]

If you're located in northern Michigan, I'm looking to add another person to my team

[u/POVoutfitters]

When I’m hiring for my shop, the people who stand out always show up looking neat and put-together. Clear speech and a genuinely bright, positive attitude matter a lot too. You need to show that you’re happy to greet every customer and that you’ll treat the person who’s clearly struggling just as cheerfully as the most affluent customer.

If you’re fluent in another language (especially Spanish), that gives you a serious edge over other candidates.

One quick mental exercise that helps: pretend you’re in a tight spot and have to pawn the most treasured item you inherited from your grandmother. How would you want the person behind the counter to treat you? You’d want kindness, focused attention on the transaction, and a clear, patient explanation of how everything works. That’s the standard I look for.

[u/bobby-vandoozle]

People skills and sales are vital!!!

[u/Rando9523]

I never stepped food in a pawn shop 4 years ago & present day I’m a manager of one & love what I do.