I submitted an application to one of the store's "mates"- assistant manager, I believe. He was a young and enthusiastic man who asked me why I want to work at TJ's and asked me what my favorite TJ's product was. I'd read somewhere that in the interview process I'd be asked this question, so I was prepared to answer it, as I am a regular customer and did give some thought to my favorite products the store sells. This interaction may have been a pre-interview/screening process- I can't be sure. The mate gave me a little postcard onto which he wrote his name and a contact number, and told me that if I had any questions to give him a call, and that I would be contacted within 30 days with some sort of response to my application. I called just less than 2 weeks later to find out the status of my application and to ask if they were actually hiring. When I called, it was the general number to the store and not a direct line to the asst. manager. I asked for him, and he came to the phone, but his polished, cheerful demeanor was absent- he said he didn't know anything about hiring, whether or not they were coming up on any "hiring schedule" and said that he was not in charge of hiring anyway. He gave me the name of the person in charge of hiring, but then made no effort to put me in touch with him. I was put off by this guy, and in that moment, was not really strongly inclined to pursue a job here anyway. So I hung up and sort of gave up on the place. However, on exactly the 30th day after I submitted my application, I got a call from the hiring asst. manager who wanted to set up an interview. The call came on a Sunday, which felt funny to me as it was the weekend, but fundamentally I did not have a problem with it. I interviewed 5 days later with the manager and the asst. manager for hiring. The interview was perhaps the least stressful one I've ever had. It was very comfortable and laid back. It lasted around 50 minutes, but felt like it went by quickly. As I answered questions, the manager had commentary to add about different aspects of the store and what working there is like. I appreciated the extra information, as it gave me some idea of what it would be like to work there, and what it would be like to work for this person.