Looking for a retail job and could use some advice.

[luvsic]

Hey again everyone,

So, to make a long story short, I'm taking next semester off from college and I need to get a job to keep myself busy. I want to work in the mall, at a retail job. So far I've gotten apps for:

The Gap
Banana Republic
J. Crew
Bebe (the girl here was slightly rude to me, so I'm retihnking..)
Express
Bath & Body Works
Aeropostale
American Eagle (aerie)
American Eagle (general)

I've been thinking of applying to the following too:

Forever 21 (the only thing that's holding me back is how chaotic that store would be to clean up probably)
Aldo
Charlotte Russe
Cache

I REALLY wanted to work at Victoria's Secret, but they aren't hiring until the Spring

and I can't wait that long. I still want to fill out an app though.

Does anyone have any advice on what to expect, what it's like, just to start working a job like this? It doesn't have to be retail, just a real-life, paying job. I have never had a real job like this before, so anything is appreciated.

When do I hear back from them?
If they don't call me does that just mean I didn't get it?

Also, when they ask you for what position you want, do you just put cashier? :/ I feel so clueless.

TIA.

 

[TISH1124]

^^ If you really want to get in the door...you might want to put open to whatever position is available....Can't be too many bad positions...cashier, stock, etc...

 

[luvsic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TISH1127 ^^ If you really want to get in the door...you might want to put open to whatever position is available....Can't be too many bad positions...cashier, stock, etc...

Haha, I only knew of cashier really, but what other position options are there do you think? (well other than manager, obviously I'm not qualified for that yet)

 

[ClaireAvril]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TISH1127 ...you might want to put open to whatever position is available....

She just said it right there.

 

[luvsic]

I meant specifically what positions exist in retail jobs...like there's the cashier, the stockroom person, and then the manager? Is that it? I just want to know a little background on how stuff like this works.

 

[Shimmer]

Just put -any- in the blank. it's not complicated, and it lets them figure how you can best meet their needs.

 

[luvsic]

Hmm ok, sounds good.

Does anyone else have advice on what to really expect? Anything I can do to really boost my chances of getting the job?

 

[ImMACnificent]

I always put 'negotiable' for pay, etc. Just to show you are willing to talk about it but not being too aggressive about it.

I would say talking about how much you like their products/clothing/whatever would be a big help. I always would say how "fun" an environment seemed and how I thought I would be able to add a lot to the work environment.

I also would say adding that you'd be willing to work ANY days of the week or any hours, showing you are flexible (if you are, of course).

Hope this helped a little.

 

[BarrelOfDonkeys]

About a week or so after applying it's a good idea to pop in again and tell them you recently applied and ask if they've hired anyone yet. It shows you're really interested in working there as opposed to just handing in applications all over the place because your parents pushed you into it or whatever. Oh and when you're dropping off the applications go in alone. My sister used to have a hand in the hiring at the store she used to work in and she said the manager told her that if someone comes in with their parents or friends or whatever to write "110" on their application which was code for "no".

 

[pink_lily002]

Ok, speaking from a personal point of view as the hiring manager for a retailer, here's my two cents. A lot of this is personal experience as both a sales associate and a manager - I've been working in retail since I was 15 years old and have worked at a lot of the stores you're thinking of applying to. Things are definitely not going to be exactly like what I mention below. EVERY retailer is different and has different policies regarding applications and hiring. The store manager's way of running things will also cause variations in how applications are handled. And FYI - this will be lengthy!

Before you submit those applications, find out if these places will be hiring new employees after the holidays. It's not worth the time and effort if they won't even be looking at your application until May. Keep in mind that after the holidays, it's generally a low-hiring period for many retailers. Most stores are letting go of their seasonal employees and returning to the bare-bones scheduling of the time prior to the holidays because they aren't making the same amount of money that they have been. Stores are given a set number of hours that they can use each week for all employees, so it's difficult to have a lot of people on-staff who all need to work.

DO NOT put "any" on the line where they ask what position you're applying for. At many places that still use paper applications, that means your app will likely end up in the trash. If you want to be one of the people working on the sales floor and not unpacking heavy boxes all day long, put down cashier or sales associate. Many companies have different, weird names for the sales people on the floor, but by putting down "sales associate", you're showing an interest in working with customers. Also, most places train the sales people to ring up transactions and perform the general customer service duties.

For the pay rate you're asking for, put down "negotiable" or something that's slightly above the minimum wage in your state. Honestly, a number is going to be better in the eyes of the hiring manager rather than a word, but so long as there's something there, you'll be fine.

Make sure you're specific about the hours you can work. If you can work any time any day of the week, put down "any" in all of the spaces. If you can't work past 6pm on Thursday nights, put down the mall's opening hour (usually 10am) to 6pm as your availability for that day.

The key to these applications is catching the interest of the hiring manager. When you drop off the application, go in alone and make sure that you do not have all the applications from other stores out and visible. At the store I work in, if I get an app from someone who has apps for 6 other stores in their hands, I'm probably not going to interview them. Ask if you can speak to a manager, that way they can have a slight idea of your personality.

Most retailers I've encountered will call you if they want to interview you (the two places where I've been the hiring manager, that was always the case, and I believe American Eagle works that way too). That'll vary from store to store though, and there's nothing wrong with asking so that you understand how the company works in that way. When you drop off your application, if you're giving it to a manager, it's okay to ask when you might hear about an interview (make sure you say "may" or "might" - don't be overly pushy, that'll only turn them off). A lot of places don't like it when people call two days after turning in an app to "check the status of my application." There's a lot to accomplish after the holidays and getting through the giant pile of applications takes some serious time! If you haven't heard from them within a week, it's safe to assume that they're not hiring at the time or that you don't meet their requirements just yet.

Ok, now the happier stuff! Once you DO get an offer and accept it, they'll bring you in for an orientation. Every company is different with that, but you'll always get your general paperwork done right away (W4, I9, videos, etc.). Depending on the store, they may do your sales floor and register training at the same time, or they may wait to train you in those areas during your first few shifts.

Good luck and if you have any questions or want to chat more, feel free to PM me!

 

[abbyquack]

Thanks for the advice, I am kind of interested in this too, as I am going to be looking for a PT job in Jan. It is true though that hiring is at a minimum in Jan/Feb, some stores even cut hours of regular employees...eeks I hope I get a job.

 

[luvsic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pink_lily002 Ok, speaking from a personal point of view as the hiring manager for a retailer, here's my two cents. A lot of this is personal experience as both a sales associate and a manager - I've been working in retail since I was 15 years old and have worked at a lot of the stores you're thinking of applying to. Things are definitely not going to be exactly like what I mention below. EVERY retailer is different and has different policies regarding applications and hiring. The store manager's way of running things will also cause variations in how applications are handled. And FYI - this will be lengthy! Before you submit those applications, find out if these places will be hiring new employees after the holidays. It's not worth the time and effort if they won't even be looking at your application until May. Keep in mind that after the holidays, it's generally a low-hiring period for many retailers. Most stores are letting go of their seasonal employees and returning to the bare-bones scheduling of the time prior to the holidays because they aren't making the same amount of money that they have been. Stores are given a set number of hours that they can use each week for all employees, so it's difficult to have a lot of people on-staff who all need to work. DO NOT put "any" on the line where they ask what position you're applying for. At many places that still use paper applications, that means your app will likely end up in the trash. If you want to be one of the people working on the sales floor and not unpacking heavy boxes all day long, put down cashier or sales associate. Many companies have different, weird names for the sales people on the floor, but by putting down "sales associate", you're showing an interest in working with customers. Also, most places train the sales people to ring up transactions and perform the general customer service duties. For the pay rate you're asking for, put down "negotiable" or something that's slightly above the minimum wage in your state. Honestly, a number is going to be better in the eyes of the hiring manager rather than a word, but so long as there's something there, you'll be fine. Make sure you're specific about the hours you can work. If you can work any time any day of the week, put down "any" in all of the spaces. If you can't work past 6pm on Thursday nights, put down the mall's opening hour (usually 10am) to 6pm as your availability for that day. The key to these applications is catching the interest of the hiring manager. When you drop off the application, go in alone and make sure that you do not have all the applications from other stores out and visible. At the store I work in, if I get an app from someone who has apps for 6 other stores in their hands, I'm probably not going to interview them. Ask if you can speak to a manager, that way they can have a slight idea of your personality. Most retailers I've encountered will call you if they want to interview you (the two places where I've been the hiring manager, that was always the case, and I believe American Eagle works that way too). That'll vary from store to store though, and there's nothing wrong with asking so that you understand how the company works in that way. When you drop off your application, if you're giving it to a manager, it's okay to ask when you might hear about an interview (make sure you say "may" or "might" - don't be overly pushy, that'll only turn them off). A lot of places don't like it when people call two days after turning in an app to "check the status of my application." There's a lot to accomplish after the holidays and getting through the giant pile of applications takes some serious time! If you haven't heard from them within a week, it's safe to assume that they're not hiring at the time or that you don't meet their requirements just yet. Ok, now the happier stuff! Once you DO get an offer and accept it, they'll bring you in for an orientation. Every company is different with that, but you'll always get your general paperwork done right away (W4, I9, videos, etc.). Depending on the store, they may do your sales floor and register training at the same time, or they may wait to train you in those areas during your first few shifts. Good luck and if you have any questions or want to chat more, feel free to PM me!

I hope you're still online because I'm going to PM you!! Thanks SO much for that advice it was so helpful!!!

 

[lyttleravyn]

I agree with pink_lily, I work in retail and we definitely aren't hiring until the spring. We are only allotted so many hours per week, and those hours get cut after the holidays are over. We hired 3 seasonal employees, if we keep any after the holiday rush it will probably only be 1. Jan/Feb are the slowest months for retail so they do cut back hours (usually they will give the fulltime employees hours first and then fill in with the parttime). I would definitely check with those places to see if they will be hiring. Good luck!

 

[luvsic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyttleravyn I agree with pink_lily, I work in retail and we definitely aren't hiring until the spring. We are only allotted so many hours per week, and those hours get cut after the holidays are over. We hired 3 seasonal employees, if we keep any after the holiday rush it will probably only be 1. Jan/Feb are the slowest months for retail so they do cut back hours (usually they will give the fulltime employees hours first and then fill in with the parttime). I would definitely check with those places to see if they will be hiring. Good luck!

That really sucks

I just asked the places I visited if they were hiring at the moment, and they said yes, but I didn't tell them I wanted a full-time job there. It just kind of sucks because I have no experience in retail so they'll probably be even more reluctant to hire me.

Do you think my chances aren't likely?

 

[TamiChoi]

Are you planning on doing full time or part time?

I don't think they're be so picky on hiring someone who doesn't have experience. Just ask for an application and fill it out. There's spots where you can put the times you're available to work. I'm sure during the holiday season, they'll most likely need you most. Also, you can also be "called in" if they need you.

My first job was in retail and they had no problem with my "no experience" background. They will train you and teach you what you have to do.

Don't worry so much! I know you're nervous at first, but you will get the hang of it. Good luck!

 

[ncsugrl09]

I worked at bath and body works for a summer and the employees and managers were really nice. It's a pretty good choice for the retail world if you had to decide between some of them. As for hearing back, they were in the middle of a semi annual sale so it was no problem getting a job BUT it's been my experience w/retail that you just need to keep going back and asking them about your application to actually get a job there. If you just turn it in and that's it, chances are they won't call *in my experience at least* I've had to physically go there and say "hello! can I speak to a manager about the status of my application?" almost like graduate school or something, lol.

With the positions, you could put cashier or sales associate and that would suffice I think. Unless you knew specifically maybe you wanted to solely do stocking or something like that but being flexible would be the best bet.

Good luck!

 

[luvsic]

Thank you!!!

I have had no luck sadly yet...but I got apps from Bebe and a few other stores at another mall, and the Bebe girls (and Arden B girls) seemed like they really wanted help. So when I want to make sure when I go turn in my app today I'm really dressing the part. My app is really weak cause I've had almost no working experience and NONE in retail, but I hope I can get through that first stage and nail the interview.

It's just hard for me to keep on trucking, not a lot of places are hiring right now and I haven't heard back from any of the companies I applied to

so I'll keep holding out and hoping for the best...