Do you want a job in retail? Here are 10 tips to get a retail job and keep it.
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Performance is essential: Retailers are known for judging every process and every employee based on various performance metrics. You'll be no exception. In short, you will be fired if you don't do enough to earn your pay.
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Consider all customers as your customer: Since it costs so much to get a new customer, retailers can't afford to lose any. Every time a customer comes in, they should be treated with respect. If they are being unreasonable, you shouldn't take it personally. Instead, it would be best if you talked to management.
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Go the Extra Mile: In retail, the more valuable you are to your manager, the better shifts you'll get and the faster you'll get a raise. Managers want people who can figure out how to do their jobs without repeatedly being told or having to answer the same common-sense questions.
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Be punctual: No manager wants to deal with employees who are late. In retail jobs, one minute late is too late! If you don't show up, they'll have to ask someone else to stay later or do the work themselves, neither of which is good for you. Being late is also a great way to make your retail coworkers dislike you, making them much less likely to help you when you need a favour.
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Don't complain about the hours later: When you get hired in a retail career, most stores want you to tell them your available hours. Don't complain if you work the hours you said you would. And don't change your schedule all of a sudden the week you get the job.
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Be flexible: Staying late or picking up odd shifts when your manager asks is a great way to get more hours and help your boss. You'll also be the first person they think of for extra hours. You can choose to do this based on your requirement.
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Don't be a downer: People who talk bad about the store and its policies hurt the business for everyone else. These loud, rude people are not only bad at their retail jobs but also bring their good coworkers down to their level.
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Play well with others: In retail, most stores have a set schedule of tasks and procedures. Help get these things done with your other coworkers, and you'll be a valuable team member. You get extra points if you tell other people to do their jobs without being rude.
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Follow the rules: Don't take shortcuts. Follow the rules and policies of the company without being told to. It makes life easier for everyone and could save your career in retail if something goes wrong. And do what the instructions say; don't try to change them.
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A cut in hours is a sign: Even if the business is slow, a cut in hours usually means that your services aren't valued as much as they used to be. This is often the first sign that you will soon be "counselled on performance" and fired if you don't improve. Even when work is slow, managers don't cut the hours of the best workers. So try to improve your performance.
These are not the only things you need to know if you want to work in retail, but if you think it will be easy, they should open your eyes.
Even though you should always do what you're told, you should never be afraid to make a creative suggestion that could help your store. Just don't go too far, do them on your own, and then you can expect to be praised.
Ask, suggest, get permission, then do. Don't be afraid to upskill. Take online courses on etiquette and business conversation. Glow & Lovely Careers (formerly known as Fair & Lovely Career Foundation) has retail-specific courses available for free.
