'Passion is not trainable' Sportsman's Warehouse interview process draws a crowd

MOSES LAKE — The stream of people coming in was as steady as the Columbia River is wide. The wait for the opening of the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Moses Lake is nearly over and people wanting to join the team converged on the Best Western Plus Lakefront Hotel on Saturday and Sunday for the corporation’s hiring weekend.

The interviews started at 7 a.m. Saturday morning, and by noon store manager Bobbi Jo Harris and her staff had already conducted 100 interviews. They expected to do 300 interviews over the two days with the idea of hiring as many as 50 employees for the business, which caters to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. The need to expand the interview process is a possibility.

The 22,878-square-foot Sportsman’s Warehouse at 1020 N. Stratford Rd. in the Moses Lake Town Center will be Harris’ first manager’s position. The enthusiasm to supply the Columbia Basin with its outdoor supplies starts at the top.

“We want to hire people with a passion for the outdoors,” she said. “Everything else is trainable, but passion is not.”

The hiring response was tremendous. Facebook was engaged with over 17,000 reactions in three days. Kimberlee Nelson’s comment echoed what hundreds had to say. “Can’t wait. I hope my husband and I can get a job with you. We love Sportsman’s Warehouse,” it read. Chris Miller’s post was also supportive. “Awesome news for Moses Lake!” it read.”

So they came, filling out the paperwork, waiting in line for a chance to go into the Sage Room at the Best Western for the chance to convince the management team they were the ones to serve. Ironically enough, ice fishermen on the lake were visible through the glass doors as the interviewees sat at individual tables with members of management.

“We sell ice fishing supplies,” Harris said with a smile.

Dan Muong has lived in Moses Lake since 1978. He’s an avid fisherman and hunter and says he would provide a local’s knowledge. He doesn’t have retail experience, but he does have that passion they are looking for.

“We need a store that caters to hunting and fishing only,” he said. “I’ve shopped other places in town and they don’t have what I need. My knowledge would offer a better information than some grocery store. That’s what I told them. I can tell customers where they can catch fish. I would be able to tell people what I use to catch fish, the techniques used, the lures and the line. I know my rods and reels and equipment. I also hunt, mainly elk. I got a seven-point Mulie out here on Stratford.”

The Sportsman’s Warehouse corporate office will dictate store design as to where each department will be located in the building. Sportsman's Warehouse stores feature an extensive selection of hunting, fishing and camping gear, as well as a wide range of apparel and footwear.

As with all Sportsman's Warehouse locations, the Moses Lake store will also feature instruction, seminars and special events related to outdoor activities.

“If we have local guides or people that are interested in putting on a seminar for us they can come to me to discuss it. If we decide that’s something that will benefit us as well as the community, we’ll arrange it,” Harris said. “There’s also going to be cooking seminars or disaster relief seminars as well. Anybody interested in teaching those types of courses can feel free to contact us.”

In addition to the gear and the education, Harris said, Sportsman’s Warehouse Moses Lake will also display the fruits of local hunts or fishing expeditions with a taxidermy display.

The grand opening for Sportsman’s Warehouse Moses Lake is set for Feb. 23. They will start bringing in the merchandise on Feb. 9.

Harris and her management team expect to complete the hiring process in the next two weeks.

Harris can be reached at bharris@sportsmanswarehouse.com. Outdoor enthusiasts can stay in touch with the Moses Lake operation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SportsmansMosesLake.