I would say just go into the career being open-minded to whatever can happen. Everyday you may encounter the same things but it will be displayed to you in different ways. As a salesperson your sales track record will probably depend on how well you can relate to people and how you react to their behavior. I would recommend this career because it is slightly easy and it allows for me to use people skills on a daily basis. I would still go down this path for a career if I had to do it all over. Retail allows for a lot of learning about the workings of a business because while your doing your job you analyze what else goes into the business to make it run. So because of this you can potentially advance in the field by gaining more knowledge throughout your career. The pros are that you deal with different people everyday, you usually have set hours and a set break time, its not terribly difficult, and it gives you a chance to work with people. The cons definitely include feeling like everyday can be the same, the pay is not exactly the greatest, and the customers can occasionally give you a difficult time. What you should know about this career is that you just need to be ready for whatever people can dish out at you. No matter how crazy you think a person can be... multiply it by two and you should be ready for this job.
I work at a local Dry Cleaner. If you are considering this career, be sure you can handle a hot and steamy atmosphere. I wouldn't actually recommend this job to anyone. I sort of got sucked into the family business, if I had to do it over I probably wouldn't (no such thing as "I'll work a few hours a day just to help out"). I suppose one good thing about my job is that when there's nothing to do, there's nothing to do except sit around (we have to be here for 12 hours, regardless). The worst thing is (as I've said), the heat from the pressing machines, and even though most people are fairly nice - some are horrible. People need to know that this job is very competitive (thank God I'm family)
Working a job that pays commission is a difficult task, unless you have the right mind set, have knowledge of, and absolutely believe in the product you are selling. It's important to radiate a positive energy. I enjoy sales because I enjoy being around people, but it's not for everyone. It can sometimes be difficult to put on a happy face on days that start out bad. Remember, when making the decision to go into sales, it is important to relate to the customer's needs and give the type of service that you would want to receive if you were the consumer.
Anyone who is considering going into retail sales should do so with their eyes wide open. People are often on their worst behavior when shopping. You can't let it get to you. There can be a lot of pressure in a retail sales job, particularly if management doesn't "get" that there are a few customers who are simply unreasonable and cannot be pleased. I would recommend this job to anyone who wants to learn how to do a job of selling, which is to say, show a product, explain the product's features and benefits and in the process inspire in the customer a desire to buy. Knowing how to sell is a skill that will serve you well later in life.
I enjoy my job, it's as simple as that. To work in retail sales, I feel you have to enjoy interacting with the public and take pleasure in helping others. It's not glamorous work, nor does it tend to pay terribly well. But if you are working for a good company, that cares for both it's employees and it's customers, then it can be a very satisfying experience.
For the record, knowledge of a particular field can be taught. Customer service skills and the ability to interact with the public tend to come more naturally. I will, every time, hire someone who knows nothing about our products but has customer relations skills over someone who knows everything about every product but lacks those same customer skills.
Retail customer service is definitely not for people who are easily hurt. Customers will often be rude, or not seem to understand that this is simply your job, and will treat you poorly when they're having a bad day. But it can be rewarding to help nice customers find what they want.
Retail sales is about making sure people make the right choices in purchasing something. I manage and sell at a retail swing set store. I try to help customers make the best purchase given their expressed needs. I try to act as a consultant to people... thinking ahead for their future use of the product. I would recommend the job for people who like dealing with people all day every day. This is not a job for someone who likes to be actively selling for the full work day. Sometimes I go a full day without seeing someone.... I would rather be pro-active and out soliciting sales rather than waiting for people to walk in the door. You also get way more calls from people complaining about this and that than people calling up to tell you 'thanks' and 'you did a great job for us'. People feel that they can treat retail salespeople in any way they want because it is not a high prestige job. You also have to work when everyone else is playing. There are no weekends off in the retail business because that is when people come out to spend their money primarily. This goes for car sales, swing set sales and just about any kind of retail sales job out there. The plusses are that it is not a high stress job most of the time. If people have a problem you can generally send them to the customer service department. I use many sales techniques and have a lot of freedom in how I sell to the customer which lets me use my creative side to come up with interesting new pitches to sell my stuff. This job is a living and not much more. You can move up to higher management positions but probably should work for a larger, more well-known employer than I do. Companies like Sony offer benefits starting immediately while this company gives benefits after 90 days. I would recommend this job to people starting out... it is important to know the consumer side of the business world before you can manage effectively.
It's fine for a part time job, but not as a career. You never make enough commission, open enough store accounts, get raises when you need them, or get paid enough. Also, you get abuse not only from department managers and store managers, but customers as well. The only perks are the commission (however small it may be), any gratis you may get from companies you represent, and the ability to accrue vacation time quickly. Some companies offer 401k and health benefits if you were a certain amount of hours per year.
If you are good at talking to people and get along with everybody a retail salesperson job would be perfect. Most of the time the more you sell the more you make. You have to want it to make it in this career.
I work at Circuit City and i love how much that my managers and owners treat us. If we do a great job they will treat us to pizza or even BBQ out. Almost everyone of us at Circuit City plays Guitar Hero, and computer games so we brought in all of ps2 and computer games and had a ball just playing in tournaments, and just free play
Although I enjoy working in retail, I wouldn't recomend it for everyone. My experience has been very one-on-one with customers, which I really enjoy. If you want to get into this career, make sure it's someplace that allows you the freedom to make your own choices. That is the key.
If you are a competitive person, results driven, and creative this kind of job is one you would like. It was probably the best decision I had ever made. I competed against the other sales reps in the store to see who made the best sales. It also made me the best money. A person has to have a thick skin when it comes to rejection, and have a easy going attitude. Skills in dealing with the public are a must. If you have a quick temper I would not suggest that you be a sales rep in a retail store environment. There are some downs to the hours, you are usually asked to work weekends and most holidays. Get with a company with a good pay package, compensation or bonus package, 401K or pension, and benefits ( health and work/life) and you can really make some dough!
A career in retail is great because it is fast paced, and different everyday. Also, if you have an interest in what you are selling, you have an opportunity to get excited about your work. However, there are drawbacks. Retail isn't typically a 9-5 job, either. You will have to work evenings and weekends, and most major holidays.
I work in a jewerly store as a salesperson. I also do small jewerly repairs. This is one of the best jobs I have ever had. Not because I get paid alot but because I get paid to sit here and do basically nothing. The jewerly business is the place to be. I rated it 6 because of the fact I dont get benefits or get paid alot, But for a job while attending college this one beats them all. If you wish to go into this feild you will need to have pacitence, steady hands, and to be ok with bordom.
I enjoy working in retail sales at an upscale, national clothing retailer. Being a people-person, I love interacting with so many people every day. The biggest suggestion I have for someone interested in retail is to find a job that pays on commission. Commissioned-sales helps to motivated you to work hard, and it keeps the days from getting boring. A great thing about retail sales is that you don't need a lot of formal education. A high-school diploma or GED is usually enough qualification. However, it helps to be well-spoken and mature. More importantly, you have to like being around people and cannot be shy about talking to strangers. And finally, the biggest perk about retail sales is the in-store discount. Stores usually give employees a 10-30% discount, which is great if you work at a store that sells products that are of interest to you. It's also cool to be able to see the latest trends.
I work in big box retail sales and it is a good way to make quick money but I would not recommend it as a long term career. If your willing to work long hours it can be financially rewarding but don't expect much in terms of career advancement.
I am a retailer. This job is very enjoyable if you like to talk and involve yourself with people. Careers in this field are not going to make you a millionaire. They are fun and this careers allows you to meet so many people and get to know and work with fellow employees. I think that i would choose this career again because i love meeting people instead of sitting in an office all day doing paperwork. The pros are the great environment and people. The cons are the customers that are never happy and the pay. You will be asked to talk to people you don't know and also take the good customers with the bad customers.