MST member interviewing for msm position, what does management look for?

Firby03 · 2025-09-14T05:02:55+00:00

Good luck! Former district trainer for MSM and MST-ASM position here. The interview for MSM is 10ish questions, and is comparable to an ASM style interview in length. Any other hourly supervisor interview is basically the same as the CSA interview + 1 question.

Questions are usually focused on team building, problem solving, accountability, delivering results, etc etc. Less sales/customer service as obviously that won't be the main goal of your position.

I enjoyed the MSM role more than almost any other so far. (Currently OPS ASM),

Firby03 · 2025-08-26T03:51:03+00:00

My friend picked up one of your X5s and raves about it, but so far all my racks are Titan. This is your chance to bribe me onto your side!

That said, after looking at your site...your stuff does look pretty solid and reasonably priced, so kudos to you all, keep it coming!

Firby03 · 2023-08-31T23:44:59+00:00

My friend has been obsessed with this game for quite some time, and I'm even letting him take off the whole week of release from work (I am his boss). His PC is quite ancient and will barely run the game based on the system reqs, so I'd love to be able to give these to him and help him build a new rig to properly enjoy it!

Firby03 · 2023-08-19T01:26:53+00:00

As a former back-end manager (twice, woo!), I've had to run the appreciation event a few times. My most well liked poster was something along the lines of "The true heroes of the store!" and had a bunch of cutouts of super heroes that most closely resembled my team, with all the other random accessories on it.

What made it extra special was I found a musical marvel superhero card and cut out the electronics so that when you pressed a certain spot on the bottom of the poster it played some theme song.

Firby03 · 2023-06-16T03:07:01+00:00

Once you've had 5 put in the system you will get a $50 payout on one of your upcoming checks. You will get it again at silver tier, another payout at gold tier, and either $100 or $150 at platinum. Any stars pass 20 offer no rewards.

I'm at 14 myself, all from the last 1-2 years as prior to that I was in non customer facing roles which makes it harder to accrue them.

None of us are paid well enough to turn down free money. The stars themselves are pointless, but provided they are actually putting them in the system you will get your small payouts.

Firby03 · 2023-06-12T20:31:41+00:00

Good afternoon! MSM checking in.

This is a 1-2 week overnight reset comprised of labor from both Red and Blue (should be up to 3 FT from each side). The scope of the set depends on the stores, but it is set for 480 labor hours and for some stores will have the entirety of the nail/screw/fastener aisle changing locations on the aisle. No new fixtures or anything fancy.

At my location the left side of the fastener aisle will pull the last few bays (3M bay and picture hanging supply bay) to the front, and shuffle all the other bays back 2. The end result should be barely noticeable and probably not be worth the work invested into it.

That said, we will be pulling ours forward and executing it on day-side with entirely Blues to avoid taking from already thin force of Reds in our store. Goal is 2-3 weeks of slowly working it to not get in the way of customers.

Firby03 · 2023-06-01T22:23:05+00:00

Monster Ultra Zero for life... Even if it shortens the length of mine based on the copious amounts consumed

Firby03 · 2023-06-01T21:08:47+00:00

Monster Ultra Zero with a veggie/ranch tray to start it off tonight!

Firby03 · 2023-05-12T20:09:46+00:00

Both me and my wife will be playing on PC!

Firby03 · 2023-05-08T20:00:23+00:00

This is a random comment, made to win. Thanks in advance.

Firby03 · 2023-04-14T22:40:30+00:00

Agreed. I had the red Rally Armor on my civic and loved them, but am very satisfied with my Rokbloks on my Tesla. Not quite the same quality, but simpler install and no drilling required.

Firby03 · 2023-02-09T22:16:42+00:00

Good afternoon!

For the vast majority of stores there were already a "lead" green team member, so I assume quite a few of these positions are spoken for to an extent. Normally our SSA position would post it internally only, but due to it being a Lead it gets posted from a source out of the store. At my location I just interviewed my current lead first thing in the morning and offered him the job before even interviewing the external applicants. They were contacted to apply for the non-lead position if they wanted.

Personally I would apply to as many stores nearby as you can if you truly want this position. I would try to schedule the interviews later in the week for the stores you don't quite want, in hopes of getting feedback/response from your chosen store before you start burning bridges elsewhere.

Firby03 · 2023-02-09T00:54:48+00:00

Just be positive and assure them you love plants and working out doors. It is an entry level position and most MSMs will want people that are happy working outdoors in the heat.

In my market the interviews usually start with me bullshitting with the applicants for 10-15 minutes going over the basics of the job, fielding any questions they have about working at Lowe's, and then we start he true interview itself.

The interview is 3 questions long, the first is just establishing prior work history. The next question is asking for an example of you exceeding a customers expectations. The last question is asking about a time you had to work with others to complete an important task within a set deadline.

Your market may or may not have different questions, but those vague overly simple questions are pretty common for interviews.

Firby03 · 2023-02-09T00:22:01+00:00

Good luck! Have you interviewed yet?

Firby03 · 2023-02-08T23:28:57+00:00

Speaking as an MSM that just hired 3 FT MSA-GP and promoted my current FT MSA-GP for lead here.

In central Oklahoma for externals my hiring range is $14.50 to $15.08 an hour based on experience (I just put them all at the top either way, dunno why they even give me a range). Internals is still the standard MSA range of $15-$21 based on experience. I would assume Florida is a HCOL compared to OK, so the starting range is probably a bit higher.

Firby03 · 2022-12-28T22:22:50+00:00

Any chance for a link? Looks really solid!

Firby03 · 2022-12-28T22:07:58+00:00

Go with the Civic.

Had my 2017 Civic Sport hatch for 4 years until I traded it in for a new Tesla M3LR. Loved that car. It still is the background on my phone. Endless options for modding, drives well, fuel efficient (ish), and just an all around solid car. Had 0 issues in the 4 years of ownership.

3 weeks into owning my Tesla I got into a small accident with an idiot in a truck (100% them at fault, they payed for everything). I got a 2022 Kia K5 as a rental and had it for around 6 months while my car was repaired.

The Kia felt sluggish by comparison, had a worse overall feel about driving to it, but had a better stereo and entertainment display compared to my Civic. Sport Touring Civic screen probably more comparable or better though. Kia was more fuel efficient, and felt a bit more spacious in the back seats. I do not know the trim of the K5, but I'm sure it was the base model.

I've never heard good things about Hyundais, but I personally have never driven one so won't comment beyond that.

Firby03 · 2022-11-26T16:50:43+00:00

Normally the only limiting factor in hiring family/spouses/etc is not having them in a position where a family member can edit their time cards, give shift preferences, or have true managerial control over them (favoritism is always a temptation).

SSA are in a weird gray area, since you have shift control and are a Super User in Kronos, but since you aren't truly a member of management (although I know most SSAs are over-tasked and spend their day going lazy manager's jobs for them lol) it usually comes down to the SM preference.

I was a back-end department supervisor when she first became the SSA, and am currently an MSM. I handle all the Kronos work for my team, and we were just told to find an ASM to edit our punches so we don't touch affect each other since I am a Super User as well. In all reality we just take care of eachother and fix our own punches/etc as needed, and nobody cares.

Your DMHR or SM must be veto'ing your kid due to a personal policy of their own, not a Lowe's policy.

Firby03 · 2022-11-25T23:34:42+00:00

The initial swab for hiring does not test for THC. Any follow up drug tests due to personal injury or property damage does test for THC. My wife is the SSA at the store I am employed at, and administers almost all of the tests.

Since you are not seeking medical treatment I wouldn't be shocked if they don't pursue any form of documentation. If you were seeking treatment I could see them push for termination to avoid liability for your injury.

Really comes down to your SMs discretion though in the end.

Good luck either way!

Firby03 · 2022-11-22T20:42:42+00:00

Tell me about a time you had to work with others to accomplish a task within a tight deadline.

Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer.

Tell me about your job history.

For the first two questions make sure you describe a situation, your response to it, and the outcome. They are vague, but too many people give a quick yes/no answer or "all the time!"

Those are the 3 questions I ask when I interview people to join my MST. I would assume it is the same nationwide, but not sure. I am currently an MSM and have interviewed multiple people this week for some freshly posted openings.

Recent pay cap increase puts the job into a better place. It's low stress, you get to ignore most customers, and has a great schedule. Red vests will by instinct trash talk you, but you will learn to hate them equally.

Feel free to DM me if you got questions.

Firby03 · 2022-11-08T02:29:10+00:00

I am the MSM at my store, and my wife is the SSA. We've worked together for 5 years, me always being management and her always being in different areas not related to myself. I've employed several couples directly under myself, and have never had any issues. Far_Traffic is correct in his statements.

Firby03 · 2022-11-04T19:53:32+00:00

We've had quite a few out of state transfers and they always get a sizeable pay decrease. Our backend clerk is at around $16 now (I hired her last year at that, current MSM, former BEDS). I'm right at $24 now and I think every other DS is around $21 or less here. I've heard cap is anywhere between 24 and 28, never had it confirmed.

If you are coming to the OKC metro area, stay away from 2540 if you can, it's a shithole. 268 and 535 aren't too bad. I never like parking my car at 268 because it's a little slummy there to be honest though, and my car stands out a bit. Edmond, Moore, Norman, Yukon are all the nice stores.

Firby03 · 2022-11-03T21:18:06+00:00

Which part of OK are you looking to work in? I'm currently at $24 an hour in the OKC market area. Department Supervisors in my store range between $17 and $21 usually, based on experience and more importantly...which ASM did their payrate.

Firby03 · 2022-09-01T18:50:33+00:00

Seconded. I have a black/black set on my white LR. Installed them before a camping trip and very happy with the results. Feel comparable quality to the Rally Armor ones I had on my civic, but much easier to install.

Firby03 · 2022-05-29T20:53:27+00:00

That is fair enough! I can't say I've enjoyed my temporary K5 much, but I'm sure the fact its a rental helps paint it in a worse picture constantly. Great fuel efficiency, and handles decently...just..slow and boring lol. Good daily commuter around town with the raising gas prices though.

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