4 Tips on Landing a Retail Job
How to answer interview questions, pre-interview best practices and the right way to follow up.
Interviews both on the phone and in person are an indispensable way for an employer to get to know you beyond your resume. Often, resumes “tell” rather than “show” your qualities and it is much more convincing to the employer if you demonstrate (insert: responsibility, organizational skills, excellent communication skills and/or collaboration) face-to-face.
Be it your first interview or one amongst many, these unexpected tips can make it go well.
Do your research
Many columnists have written about the importance of knowing the company you are applying to, but they don’t elaborate on what to look for. Here are a few key items:
- The business structure: is it a franchise or a chain store? Does your boss own the store, or is he/she managing on behalf of the headquarters? This will help you understand how decisions are made and the work culture.
- Opportunities for advancement: Employers will have information on their website about not only their mission statement, but also the paths that a position can open up i.e. seasonal employees can become regular personnel. Some even offer scholarships!
- Their target market: Knowing this, you can elaborate on how your skills can contribute to reaching these people.
On the flip side, it’s not advisable to do too much research. It can appear as if you are challenging the company if you reel off facts that even the interviewer may not know.
Expect the unexpected
Sometimes, managers will want to see what an applicant is made of by asking difficult questions. To get the job, you’ve got to prove that you’re made of tough stuff!
Make sure to practice with these questions so that you’ll go in unfazed:
Q: Tell us about yourself.
How to tackle this: Make sure to start with your strengths. Talk about several aspects of your personality and things that are important to you.
A: “I’m a very enthusiastic person, and a great communicator. At work and in social settings, I’m often the mood-maker. Working in sales at Bentley for two years has helped me build confidence, and has taught me the importance of customer loyalty. I really love travelling as I’ve been to places all around Canada and Europe, so my interests align perfectly with the goal of this company.”
Q: Please describe your dream job.
How to tackle this: It is better to seem idealistic than cynical. Hopefully, the current position you are applying for is in the same industry or career path, but if not, there are still great ways to answer this question.
A: “My dream job has more to do with the work culture than my position. I’d like a place where I can use my talent in empathizing with customers and selling to help the company increase revenue. An establishment where co-workers are supportive would be the best since I’m a very open person. With that said, I’d like to gradually take on more responsibilities to advance my career.”
Q: What did you like the least about your previous job?
How to tackle this: The caveat here is not to mention the people you worked with. It could set your interview on a whole new tangent that you don’t want to go on. Try to focus on the differences between your old job and the one you are now applying to.
A: “My previous job required me to constantly be on the phone. I became quite good at answering calls and perfecting my tone of voice, but it soon got to a point where it was the only thing that I did. I know that this job allows me to be on the floor and interact face-to-face with customers and it will definitely be a welcome change for me.”
You can find more advice on tough interview questions here.
Take care of your demeanor
When applying for an entry level job, employers aren’t looking for business-like precision. What they really want to see is how you will interact with customers and that means being enthusiastic, approachable, laid-back and knowledgeable. It’s also a bonus to demonstrate that you have an eye for details and an understanding of how others might react to your actions.
Pro Tip: Keep an “experience resume” in addition to your job-seeking one in order to keep track of the events that led to your character development. This is as much for yourself as for your job search.
Following up
Sending a thank you note to the interviewer is something that fewer candidates do than you may think. Our tip is to write something in your individual tone of voice. Definitely include highlights of the interview, like points in common with the interviewer or something you learned. Depending on the employer, you may want to send it by email or on a handwritten note.
The most important thing above all is to go in with a positive attitude.
Especially for an entry-level position, the manager is not looking for
perfection and more likely than not, you’re fully qualified. All that is left is showing him or her your personality!
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@GetWirkn with the hashtag #myfirstjob.