How to Ace Retail Job Interviews
If you are about to attend a retail job interview and want to ace it you’ll need to prepare in advance. Having answers ready for difficult questions will not only save you from the embarrassment of not knowing what to say, it could help you bag the job at hand. At the same time you’ll need to display the qualities a potential employer will be looking for in retail staff. Doing so will help present you as the perfect candidate for the post.
Preparation
Tailor your curriculum vitae to meet the needs of your interview. You’ll want previous work history to reflect the qualities of an employee who would be great working in retail. This can be achieved by highlighting skills, achievements and experience relating to communication, organization and personal energy. Retail staff need to be skilled communicators and be able to organize their time efficiently. They also need to exude confidence if they are to deal with the general public, and have a pleasant, polite attitude.
Questions
The interviewer will ask you questions aimed at helping them discover your good and bad points. They’ll attempt to find out whether you are the right kind of person to do the job they are offering. The type of questions you are likely to be asked will be about why you think you are right for the job, and how you would deal with a difficult customer or disgruntled colleague.
Think how you will answer such questions, aiming your response at fulfilling the character traits you think a potential employer would like you to display. For example, you may say you feel you are right for the job because you love dealing with the general public, enjoy selling and are at your best when working in a socially stimulating environment.
Appearance
If you want to work in retail it’s important to look smart and approachable. Dress in a formal, conservative manner for an interview, but don’t be afraid to show confidence by wearing a deep red tie, or silk scarf as a finishing touch which makes you stand out positively from other candidates. Remember to wear your hair in a neat style, and to shine your shoes and iron the clothes you are going to wear, and refrain from wearing lots of jewelry or scent.
Body language
Display positive body language during the interview in-order to get ahead. Keep eye contact with the interviewer, and provide a firm handshake, rather than a limp one which will make you seem negative and lacking in energy. When you speak do so clearly, and refrain from fidgeting or looking at your watch. This will help you appear confident and professional.
You can ace a retail interview by presenting yourself in a professional manner, and by observing your body language so that it’s positive and preparing well in advance so you can easily answer potentially awkward questions.
