Professionalism goes a long way even before you set foot in the retail job interview. When filling the job application out, be sure that your handwriting is as neat as possible and that you do not have any spelling mistakes. Be sure to let your former employers know that you are submitting applications for retail jobs and they may be contacted for an employer reference on you.
The fastest way to hurt your chances of getting a retail job is showing up late for the job interview. Retailers value employees who show up for their shifts on time, every time. If you arrive late to your retail job interview, you leave the impression that you will also be late when you have the job. Instead, impress the interviewer by showing up to the retail job interview a little early. Let the person know you have arrived but do not expect to be interviewed before the time of your scheduled appointment. The retail manager will appreciate the effort and it conveys that you respect his or her time.
The retail staff impacts the customer’s first impression of the store. Therefore, retailers want to hire people who are neatly dressed and look well put together. You may want to dress accordingly based on the jobs for which you are interviewing. As an example, if you are interviewing for a job at a hip and trendy retail store, be sure to wear something that would appeal to the customer base. Generally speaking, it is not recommended to wear jeans to a retail job interview.
Since retail employees are typically working directly with customers, strong communication skills are critical to get the job. Retailers want to hire employees who will communicate effectively and tactfully with shoppers. If the language spoken in the store is not your native language, it may be helpful to take some language classes to sharpen your skills.
To prepare for the retail job interview, research the retailer and its products and know who their competition is. This will help you to speak intelligently during the job interview process if asked questions about any of the above. Even if you are not asked about this in the job interview, you will feel more confident going into the interview that you are knowledgeable about the retailer and the job.
Most retail staff members face customers in their jobs. In a job where you deal with the general public, it is critical to have good “people skills,” meaning tact, a friendly aura, patience and the ability to communicate clearly. Be prepared to speak about experiences when you have demonstrated strong people skills, such as a time when you dealt with a difficult customer, how you handled it and what the outcome was.
Follow up can be just as important as the retail job interview itself. Be sure to promptly send a thoughtful thank you note to anyone at the retail store who interviewed you for the job. If the retail store manager is interviewing several candidates for the job, your thank you note may be just what sets you apart from the competition.
Best of luck with your retail job interview!WorkInRetail is an online resource focused on career development in the retail industry. WorkInRetail offers guidance on developing a successful retail career and provides access to thousands of management, hourly and part time jobs from the nation’s top retailers. Search and apply to retail jobs on WorkInRetail today.
