Monday, November 19, 2007

How to Leverage Holiday/Seasonal Employment

By Arlene Whiting

It’s that time of year again. I look back and think where did the year go? Children back to school, college semester finally back into full swing and time to get ready for the biggest gift giving time of year. The time of year that will make or break the retailers. You will begin to see bigger sections in the newspapers for full-time and part-time employment and “ah Yes” one of the old standby favorites part-time holiday/seasonal employment in retail.

Well you have many retail options here: electronics, clothing, sports, video games, pets, shoes, sneakers, home furnishings, flowers, camera, craft, online retailers, product vendors, (Those who supply the stores with products) and the Inventory vendors (Those who do inventory for retail stores).

I must caution you first not to believe the hype the media plays with retail employment. There are pro’s and con’s to this no doubt. I want you as the employee working for a wage not to be naïve that it is not all it’s cracked up to be.

1. You will be working with all kinds of personality types.

2. You will be constantly checked for theft.

3. Your hours may suffer if you are not a management favorite.

4. Jealousy is all around you.

5. Professionalism before and after the store closes goes out the door.

6. Holiday shoppers can be rude, disrespectful and inpatient.

7. The employee discount in most cases is just the sale price that they give to the consumer. It’s really not that much and you will probably not make enough extra to shop there any way.

8. Part-time can be anywhere from 4 to 32 hours and full-time is anywhere from 32 to 35 hours. In most cases don’t expect any overtime.

9. With your retail earnings you will probably not make enough to purchase the higher priced products where you work. Unless you have another source of income coming in. The exception would be making small purchases such as candy, soda or any other small accessories.

10. Your promotion strictly depends on the General Manager. If the General Manager in place is helpful to your road to success then you are half way there. If the General Manager in place is not helpful then you have two options. Get hired at another store with a management team you have influence with or stick it out until that particular General Manager leaves.

11. You will probably have to take a drug test.

Now that we have gotten the minor details over let’s get to the application and interview process. First you will want to allot at least six hours for application time because nine times out of ten the application is online and it will take about 90 minutes.

You will want to apply to at least three places of employment. To work at McDonalds now a days you have to apply online. Tip for online application there are questions that the employer will ask several times but in a different context. Make sure you pay attention and have a clear mind when going through the personality test. Also in the wage area don’t be shy here. A retail employee can make anywhere from $8.00 -$12.00 an hour coming in the door.

Also if you want to make any type of money you want to push for management right from the door. You will know within the first 90 days if you are someone they are considering. That is if you are considering this for a possible career option.

Make sure you answer your phone or have your voicemail set in a professional manner. For the interview make sure you dress neat and respectful when you go to the interview. You don’t have to necessarily wear a suit but make sure you have on clean and ironed clothing. No jeans, sweat shirts, khakis or casual wear. Men make sure your pants fit around your waist and wear a belt. Women make sure your hair and nails are clean and done. Brush your teeth and make sure you have fresh breath.

• Sell yourself at the interview.
• Believe in yourself if you don’t no one else will.
• Think before answering interview questions. You never get a second chance at a first impression.
• At the conclusion of the interview you will know if you are hired or it may take a few days up to two weeks tops if the employer is doing a second interview.

Now you are hired and it is time to produce and network. Try to learn who the key players are and be aware of company gossip (the grapevine). Companies are becoming more aware of this destructive behavior.

Most people overlook this next option but begin to talk to the vendors when they come in. This could be an option for you if retail employment doesn’t work out. Find out who the key players are in the organization and begin to get referrals just in case you need them for an interview.

In conclusion retail employment is just like any other job. There is politics but it’s not office it’s the sales floor. There is brown nosing and those who tell the boss everything they want to hear. The bottom line is gone are the days you work hard and the management team sees your effort and rewards you with a promotion. But it’s if they like you or you are their idea of someone who they want to see on their management team.

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