Job Responsibilities
In fast paced grocery stores as a checker I would stand in a
checkstand 8 hrs a day, sometimes for up to ten days
consecutively.
But no matter what type of retail, you are on your feet for most
if not all of your shift. The trick is to wear the proper
supported shoes and to constantly move.
The number one priority is the customer.
Customer Service is to treat someone as you would want to be
treated. With all of the distractions it is important to focus
on your customer and what they are saying.
This of course doesn't guarantee that you will be able to supply
any or all of their needs... but you have given them Customer
Service.
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Job Requirements
Math is inevitable in retail. So if you have a problem take a
class or buy a workbook on basic math. Accept yourself and that
way you will open yourself to get more comfortable with math.
No matter how weird a combination of money that a customer gives
you, if you enter/ tender it in the cash register it will tell
you exactly how much change to give.
Ex. The total is $16.61 and the customer gives you $21.00. If
you enter/tender $21.00, the register will tell you that the
change is $4.39, and that is what you give to the customer.
Besides math, the ability to listen, research and learn will help
you further down the road. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
People won't get upset unless you constantly ask the same
question.
If you have trouble retaining information, buy a small notebook
and make notes.
Familiarize yourself with your companies products, suppliers
catalogs and with your competition. If your company doesn't have
something, but the competition does, it will be of help when you
can give that information to a customer. They will appreciate
your help and look for you again when they have a question.
Ask questions and if you can't get answers from management, ask
if there are other sources, possibly backstage available to you
to research. Such as buyers, purchasing personnel, full product
list, vendors, etc.
And if you want to check out something further on your own,
access the internet at a library, if you don't have a computer.
Put down any words on the Search line of the browser and see what
it finds. Check by manufacture too.
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Uppers
The satisfaction that you were able to hold and accomplish the responsiblity of
representing your company in a productive positive light by providing a valuable
service to their customers.
People interaction. We learn from others and they from us.
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Downers
This is a physical job and some people have trouble, which could
lead to having to quit and work in a different environment.
Dealing with the public is vast. So occassionally there will be
confrontation. It is important to try to remain calm and NOT
take it personally. Some customers have other motives or it's a
power issue, so you are not going to win and may even lose your
job.
So listen more and tell them that you will call them a manager,
and do so.
Many times if you don't call a manager, they will leave and call
back and talk to the manager anyway and say whatever. You will
have a harder time defending yourself. And at the time while
they are in the store, you will have witnesses, so if you didn't
do anything wrong, you need those witnesses.
Customers, crying children and babies....these are only a downer
if you are in the wrong line of work. If these are that big of a
problem, then go into another line of work where you aren't
serving people face-to-face.
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Lifestyle
Most retail is anywhere from 7am-9 or 10pm. Grocery and some other work are
24hrs.
Grocery will not give you the same schedule twice. It really is stupid. They
could give you a schedule that's all different for a month, but they won't. You
find out by every Friday evening what you will work on Sunday through Saturday.
This makes it difficult to make plans, dr appointments and to arrange
babysitters.
If you request a time or day off, you must do it in writing two weeks in advance
and they keep the written request in your file to hold against you.
The flexuating hours and inability to plan can lead to real problems in your
personal life. Spouses frequently object and feel that if you had a stronger
backbone you would stand up for yourself and get better hours. The schedule has
lead to divorcees.
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Compensation
Most retail pays poorly in comparison to Office positions. Even
in grocery where it is union, the changes are decreasing the
compensation rapidly.
Surprisingly there are some unexpected benefits out there. Both
Starbucks and Peets Coffee offer health benefits even to PT
workers.
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Advice to Jobseekers
You are representing a company and serving the public.
Put all prejudices and bias away while working. Increase your
tolerance level and be aware that all of can be and appear
different, but deserve the same respect.
Leave your troubles and problems in the car or at home. The
customers have their own, so they don't need yours.
Don't take comments and reactions personal...but respect
yourself. If a customer is over the top and out of control call
for help, manager, security or other employees.
Keep talk to a minimun, everyone does not need to know your whole
life story or what you did last night.
Do not talk about politics, religion, sex or any controversial
subjects that could lead to a heated debate or argument. That is
not why you are there.
Especially in grocery where all the tabloids are right in the
customers eyes. If they bring up something controversial, change
the subject or just remain quiet.
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