| Do you think working retail is an easy job? Are | | | | interrupt unless asked for your opinion. |
| you confused about what professionalism is in a | | | | In some stores the employee is paid a |
| store front setting? Are you working in a retail | | | | commission as well as an hourly wage. The idea is |
| situation because it's an easy job to get? If you | | | | to encourage workers to learn their product and |
| think you have just landed an simple job that | | | | be on their toes to help the customer. The more |
| anyone can be hired for, you are mistaken about | | | | you sell, the more you take home on your pay |
| what is involved. | | | | check. Unfortunately what happens in this situation |
| The job skills required to be hired for a retail job | | | | is that workers are accused of taking other |
| will be different depending upon what you are | | | | employees sales. This is an uncomfortable |
| expected to sell. If you are in a store front | | | | situation and you will undoubtably be on both ends |
| setting, you are expected to come to work | | | | of this, throughout your time at this job. The |
| dressed for the job. Obviously if you work in a | | | | professional thing to do is to be honest to your |
| paint store, you will be wearing different clothes | | | | co-worker and ask them to split the commission. |
| then if you work for a jeweler. Depending upon | | | | This may work, or may not, but if you don't clear |
| what you are selling will depend on your job | | | | this up you will not enjoy your job. And who |
| training. However, there are a few things that are | | | | wants to shop in a store where employees are at |
| universal regardless of the retail outlet. | | | | each others throats? |
| The behavior between you and the consumer is | | | | As a professional working in retail keep in mind |
| extremely important. Your professionalism is | | | | that you have agreed to be hired for a set wage. |
| essential. When you work in a storefront you | | | | You were given a job description and you |
| need to understand that anyone can walk into the | | | | accepted the job. Months or years into your work |
| establishment at any time and you need to look | | | | and you may feel like you work too hard for the |
| and sound professional. Greeting the prospective | | | | amount of money that you are now being paid. |
| customer is important. Whether there is one | | | | You could take a longer lunch and not do the job |
| other person in the store or twenty, each person | | | | well. If you are a good worker, you will discuss |
| needs to be acknowledged. Each person also | | | | this with your employer, in private. |
| needs to know that you will be approachable | | | | A professional does not gossip or discuss their |
| should they have any questions. Your tone of | | | | employer with co-workers. There will also be no |
| voice and body language will help to convey that. | | | | need to talk to others about how much money |
| So it is important that you have good posture, a | | | | you are being paid. If you need to make a larger |
| friendly voice and a smile. | | | | wage simply discuss this with your boss and |
| When the consumer walks in the door, or | | | | make a decision as to whether you will stay with |
| anytime they are in the establishment, what they | | | | your job, or find a new one. |
| shouldn't hear is a personal conversation you are | | | | Realize when going into a retail job that not all |
| having on the phone, or with someone else in the | | | | workers will behave in a professional manner. It is |
| store. Business is business, personal is personal | | | | not up to you to correct them, but it is your job |
| and only business should be discussed at work. As | | | | to act appropriately when at work. Put your best |
| a professional in retail you should not be shouting | | | | foot forward, and act like the employee you |
| in conversation across the store. When someone | | | | want to talk to, when you walk into the store as |
| is being helped by a fellow employee, do not | | | | a consumer. |