Is Retail right for you
Working retail has negative connotations, which is undeserved. Retail can be an enjoyable occupation for the right person.
One of the best aspects of working retail is the contact you have with several different personalities throughout the day. If you’re a social butterfly, this is a great feature of retail employment. You get to meet new and interesting people all the time while working in retail.
Besides meeting people, you also get to help solve problems. For instance, if you work in a clothing store, you might help a teenager pick out the perfect prom dress, assist in helping someone pick out just the right outfit for a job interview, or work with a mom to find a mother-of-the-bride dress for her daughter’s wedding. These experiences can be exciting and satisfying, and can’t be had sitting at an office desk.
Retail can also offer a more flexible work schedule than a traditional nine-to-five job. Most merchandisers offer several different shifts, and for college students, mothers with small children, and those who simply prefer working afternoons and evenings and want their mornings for themselves, retail may be the right answer for you.
Working retail does have some drawbacks, however. There are times when customers will be irate, whether it be because they didn’t find what they were looking for, they felt they were overcharged, or simply because they had a bad day. Retail sales is not for the thin-skinned. The best way to handle an irate customer is to listen to them, let them know that you understand their concerns, and work with them to rectify it. At these times, you can’t let your own problems – after all, you might be having a bad day too – affect how you treat the customer.
One common complaint about working retail is the salary. Many employers pay minimum wage for their salespeople to work long hours, standing on their feet all day. However, this should not be considered an across-the-board generalization. Forbes recently publishedthis articleabout several companies who offer competitive wages, good benefits, promotion from within, and who inspire loyalty and motivation in their team members.
Finally, retail sales can be hard. You may be called upon to work overtime if your co-worker calls out sick, or to work on high-traffic shopping days, like Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving, a huge shopping day for many stores.) If you're flexible and open to working hard, these situations shouldn't be a problem for you, however. Overtime means more income, and often times, willingness to work in these situations are recognized and rewarded by employers.
If you enjoy working with the public, want a flexible schedule, and are a good problem solver, retail might be right for you. If your first experience in sales didn’t work out, don’t give up hope – there are many great companies and employers out there to choose from.
