There is so much focus on what you should say and how you should act when applying for a retail job that the common mistakes barely get a mention.
Instead of telling you what to do, below is a list of some of the most common mistakes made when applying for a retail position.
Just because the job is entry-level doesn’t mean that you need to treat is as such. The worst thing that you can do is show your potential employer disrespect by turning up to your interview in jeans and a t-shirt.
Don’t give somebody the wrong resume. Ever. One of the most unprofessional things that you can do in your retail job interview is to give them a resume which details your lust to work in a different industry.
If you don’t know the company then they don’t want to know you. Do your research on the company. If it’s Victoria’s Secret and you’ve visited their Groupon Coupons page, before, use that experience to tell them you know about their range and shipping options.
Keeping with this, don’t tell the interviewer that you have wanted to work in retail your entire life when they can see clearly that you are studying web design at school and will be taking that route. Interviewers don’t want to hear stories.
Don’t try and get cutesy with your resume. It doesn’t matter if the company or store that you are applying for has an extra-fun work environment, treat your application and interview as professional as you can. Remember, the person hiring you is running a business, at the end of the day they want to read a professional and informative resume.
Don’t drone on about your volunteer positions or how much time you spend on your home. Interviewers want to know short and important details. Nothing will bore them more than you speaking about your personal achievements when they just want to know if you can work a cash register.
Retail jobs are a great way to support yourself while you follow your education or creative path and aren’t hard to get, you just have to know the right tips, such as these.