Have you worked as SA or store manager? Please help! - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Have you worked as SA or store manager? Please help!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Is there a way, in job applications materials, to say something about parenting being the ultimate training in punctuality, being task-oriented, and learning to work towards a goal with lots of people? I’ve heard the jokes about “domestic specialists” being “taxi driver, short order cook, nurse, therapist” and the like. I don’t want people laughing at my letter; is there a way to refer all that stuff and sound reasonable?

Off Topic

32 replies

Latest reply was from Laura (rhubarbgirl)

rachylou

Veteran

Out of curiosity... cv’s are asked for? Application forms aren’t used for retail?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Rachylou, that was my assumption as well, but I walked around one of the malls today, planning to go in an apply any place that had a "help wanted" sign up. One of them had a form to fill out. The rest either said to send them a Lebenslauf and cover letter, or that the chain has a central application process through its website.

The Lebenslauf isn't quite a cv or a resume--it's in strict chronological order and seems to be as long as it takes. Right now I have one that highlights my academic/intellectual stuff. It is four pages, because it gives grants, publications, and classes taught for each university. It is distinctly not what I need for this kind of job, so I'm rewriting it this weekend, taking all that stuff out.

Managers generally weren't available today; at 4 stores, they will be there on Monday, so I want to go hand in my shiny new materials myself then. I will also apply to other places online, but given how little experience I have, I think meeting someone face-to-face is my best bet.

rachylou

Veteran

How interesting! When I was a shopgirl, register (esp closing out), punctuality and reliability, and security was what people cared about. Being too bright (smart) was not a plus, so long as you could do math... yeah no, no pushback and no constant ideas for business success was appreciated.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

security?

rachylou

Veteran

Looking out for shoplifting.

kkards

Veteran

i haven't actively worked in a store since the late 80's, but i'm still in retail, so some of what i write maybe slightly out of date, but...almost all companies have their jobs posted online and will ask you to fill out an online job application. even for their professional jobs. you can walk in, and maybe talk to someone, but your still going to have to go thru the online process. many stores will only schedule interviews for limited days or times because they need to schedule the current staff around the fact at least 1 person will be off the floor.

there are different kinds of retail environments and depending on which one you are applying to will dictate what to empathize. are you looking at a shop that wants/expects you to sell and project a knowledge of what you are selling (in the US think Nordstroms) or are you applying to a store that expects you to keep the store clean and stocked (in the US think Walmart/Target) or are you applying to a store that wants something in between (in the US think Banana Republic etc). for stores like Nordstroms etc its about prior retail jobs, knowledge of fashion/what you are selling, and how you present yourself. for places like Walmart/Target its about reliability and flexability (will you show up and will you be able to handle different types of tasks). for stores like BR, honestly, some of it will depend on the current job situation in your city, ie how desperate are they for help, (or do they need you more than you need them).

i don't think anyone in chain stores really cares that those applying for sales positons know MS word or power point. as for working a registar, they are pretty much scan and touch screen, so your knowledge for the 80s isn't really relevant, expect to say that you've had experience helping customers complete their transactions.

hope this helped. good luck

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

kkards, that is all quite helpful, particularly the breakdown of different types of stores. As you predict, most of the "help wanted" signs direct one to an online process. I am planning to got that way for the majority of them, but personally hand my materials to managers in a few stores on Monday, unless you tell me not to. In one of them, the current SAs seemed to think it would make a difference. I couldn't read the others that way. I'll make sure to familiarize myself with what they sell online before going in.Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I wouldn’t worry too much about listing all your experience .l did a retail job last year and because they didn’t have any applications forms available at the time l just handed in a current professional c.vand a covering letter.l think that they were pretty bam boozled by my c.v as it had absolutely nothing to do with retail but they did say that they enjoyed reading it and gave me the job after an interview.I think that how you present yourself and come across is more important for these type of jobs as all shops tend to be slightly different and they will show you the ropes once you have started anyway.Good luck !

Cardiff girl

Veteran

And by the way I got the job by walking into the store not by applying on line although that was an option as well.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Cardiff! I did give my cv to one person. She went and copied it, then came back calling me “Dr”. That’s my correct title, but her whole tone seemed off-putting. What you said about your self-presentation is why I think the way you got that job will work for me too.

kkards

Veteran

got busy yesterday and didn't have time to get back to this. nothing wrong with going the extra mile and stopping in to see a store manager in person, just didn't want you to get discouraged if they just turned around and told you to apply online....also maybe different attitude in Europe vs US, as in the US retail jobs are generally thought of as entry level and the availablity and ability to get one maybe different.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Kkards, good point about entry level. There is one group of stores—Esprit, Tommy Hilfiger, Marco Polo & some others—that I hadn’t even realized were related that all have similar signs pointing to the same website to apply as store manager or fashion advisor, and some mention specifically that they want people who have taken training courses as sales professionals. I’ll apply for everything, but if I get one of those jobs, I’ll be surprised. Germany has lots of unions and guilds; it can be really hard to break into a trade if you haven’t gone through its training and aren’t part of its union/guild. This includes, for example, wait staff and janitors/cleaners. I’m hoping that the Christmas rush will bring some flex to stores’ hiring guidelines.

Runcarla

Veteran

@FI - with the kind of background that you have, why do you want to work in fashion retail? Why not English as a second language or tutoring if it is short term/seasonal employment you seek?

From your posts, I don't get the sense that you like fashion all that much!?!?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Carla, you interpreted the first paragraph correctly. But I’m not going to answer your question. There is a lot going on, and the weight you just tossed on me is more than you know. There is no way I am going to dig into my reasons with you, would prefer to just delete the whole post, if only ylf allowed that.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Carla, I came back to add
Ooof. That is a very unhelpful comment. Not just a goose egg, but a substantial negative. I am trying to put it out of my mind as I go about doing what I need to do. Explaining things to you is not something I need to do, but now that you’ve opened up Pandora’s box, all the uglies are flying at me.

Anonymous

Figured it was for a secondary job, but whatever the need or desire for it- it's all good.
It may be different there, but here a lot of the retail jobs really want people who will upsell: sign up for credit cards or "rewards" or add extra spontaneous things. A lot in the US has the online applications, with the personality tests, and that + reliability, able to work whatever hours they want and be a "team player" seems to be key.

rachylou

Veteran

Agreed, suntiger. Willing to work whatever hours - and go home whenever - is definitely a thing.

Also: hanging out on a fashion forum counts for something

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I need to say this. I honestly don’t think Carla meant her question unkindly. You’ve made it clear you have an accomplished academic background, so it’s understandable that your seeking a position in retail seems a little bit out of left field to some of us on the forum. There’s no need to attack someone for asking a question when you are seeking advice on breaking into a work scenario in which you have no experience. Good luck in your search.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

ST, I'm dragging my feet on getting to those websites, so didn't realize yet that they might be where those quizzes I usually encounter only on Facebook are actually used. Might actually help me show I can do the things you mention.

RL, how do I put that on a resume?

Anonymous

I worked retail a long time ago. Once when I was finishing up my MBA and the second time was when my DD was in elementary school (I wanted a job that fit school hours since my DH traveled extensively for work and I chose to stay at home).

My selling point was that even though I was considered "over qualified for these positions" I told them exactly why I was seeking this particular position and what they could expect from me, i.e. attention to detail, work well with the public, learn quickly, and being dependable and always on time.

It can take some time to hear back from applying online so if you can visit a particular store and meet with the manager directly and let them know that you applied online my might be able to bypass that online screening if the manager really wants to hire you. Good Luck!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Things are probably very different where you are now, so I don't know how helpful this will be. But from my US perspective as someone getting into retail when 'overqualified', most important is to have a reason why you want the job, something that is quick and easy to explain, like your scheduling needs, family or school obligations, etc. That way they'll be less nervous about you bailing right after they train you for another gig. (Honestly, it doesn't even have to be true, or completely true, just KISS.)

As far as the application process, most places require an online application and to get in their system that way; then you'll start getting calls/emails for interviews. Be ready to respond quickly once that process starts.

I don't love using parenting or other personal experiences in a resume/cover letter, but in this case I think it'd be OK, just don't oversell it. Or maybe the cultural conventions are different in Germany and it's expected; I have read that everyone's resume there has a picture and personal details like religion and hobbies, which would be a total no-no in the US.

Good luck!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Lauren & Danusia. That’s just the kind of experience talking I was looking for when I posted. I may come back and read your posts and a couple of the earlier ones more carefully, but maybe I don’t have to because....

I GOT A BITE.

Kathie

Veteran

Congrats, and best of luck with the next steps in the process!

MsMary

Veteran

http://www.askamanager.com is the gold standard for all things related to job applications. You can post there in the comments, or send her a question, or just look through the archives.

I think the consensus from that crowd would be the same as Laura notes: Parenting is fine to explain gaps in employment but proceed with caution regarding parenting as a "qualification," per se.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks MsMary. I’ve used that site for other positions, will have to take a look at what it has for this kind of job.

Joy

Veteran

I wouldn’t volunteer anything about being a parent. They probably would rather not hire anyone if they are inclined to take time off if a child is sick or schools are closed let alone if they may get pregnant. Hard but real.

Astrid

Veteran

Agree, I wouldn’t put in parenting as an qualification either. As a reason for breaks in your work history, certainly. But nothing else. I would say it’s better to offer up qualifications without proof than to give examples of parenting as proof. In my experience people expect you to be good at a job despite being a parent, not because of it. Sad but true.

As for naming hobbies or religion in a cover letter or CV, that’s just not true! The only people getting to write down hobbies are teenagers applying for an unpaid internship (necessary to fill the space because they don’t have anything else done in their life to fill the empty blanks yet). As a grown woman and academic, naming your hobbies will get you a serious side eye. The exception is some serious voluntary work in your free time which you can name to show that you’re not a stranger to working and using your energy for others. That’s something you can definitely mention, same as things you do in your free time to further your qualifications (best ending in a certificate, something like language courses for example). And putting a picture with your application is technically not necessary anymore either, some places actively ask you not to do it. But a lot of people still do it because most of the people doing the hiring are from a different era and still expect it of you.

Good luck with your job search!

Astrid

Veteran

I also agree about just being honest about the reason why you want a job your technically overqualified for. Without sounding desperate of course, you are allowed to bend the truth a bit. I was way overqualified for my first job after university with the degree I have, but they gave me the job anyway because I could tell them why I wanted it and convince them that I wouldn’t just be on my way at the first opportunity.

slim cat

Veteran

I work at retail at present time and see a lot of people just getting temp job for a holiday season without saying anything specifically about "why that job". It's a good time to apply now since a lot of places want help restocking, assisting, cashiering, customer support, etc..
I think it's important to be dressed the part ( sorta interesting but a bit more on the classic/business smart way ) depending on a particular place you applying at. First impression is crucial - be confident, engaging, be yourself.
My manager usually said that he'd give a chance when he is seeing potential. There was a girl that wanted to be key holder/supervisor - he hired her as sales assistant and promised to train her and later promoted her.
Good luck in your search! I'll be rooting for you.

12