A question for those who work in retail?

Posted by Mental_Musician_6570@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 7 comments

So I’m wanting to get into retail part time issue is every job I apply to I get rejected for those who work in retail I have a few questions

Since I have little to no experience how can I stand my self out compared to other applicants?

What’s the best time to apply for jobs IE is there a time where u can get into jobs easier?

Thanks to all those who reply.

[-]

Mail-Malone@reddit

Now is the time to apply for temp’ Christmas jobs, that’ll get you some experience and help going forwards next year.

[-]

This .. the experience requirement for Christmas temps is 0 but you'll gain so much retail experience in January/feb when applying for retail jobs you will have x number of month on your CV and probably learned a good few lessons from.the busiest time of the year in retail.

[-]

RainbowPenguin1000@reddit

If you’re able to, go in and ask in person if they have vacancies or take an application in directly.

I know this is very old school but what it does is allow a supervisor or manager to see you and we make a lot of judgements on people with a first impression.

If you turn up with a nice big smile, look well dressed and polite and friendly you’ve instantly got a boost that you wouldn’t get with an online application and these are qualities people value in retail workers.

[-]

BookishBabeee@reddit

Managers in retail care more about attitude than experience. If you're friendly and flexible with hours, you've already got an edge

[-]

Ok-Salary3550@reddit

I don't hire in retail but I have hired for other entry level positions.

Just keep applying. Each job will get - literally - hundreds of applicants. You could well be rejected purely by chance or because they have enough candidates already. It sucks but that's how it is. Nothing you do could make you "stand out" because they will have a hundred candidates who they basically consider fungible.

My actual points are less "do" and more "don't" do things that will make you stand out in a negative way, or that will just waste your time:

Don't use AI on your CV. It stands out like a sore thumb.
Don't overegg the pudding. I'd rather see an honest CV which has little experience than a load of complete horseshit that makes you sound like the greatest thing ever. Free online courses and similar such wank are of negligible value.
Don't bother with cover letters. The hiring manager probably never reads them and nobody is expecting you to write two paragraphs about how it's the culmination of your life's journey to work part time in Superdrug.
Don't skimp on formatting and spelling and grammar. If your CV looks like shit you are likely disqualifying yourself.

[-]

mick_jones2@reddit

This is just a guess: volunteering (even just once a week) in a charity shop would immediately give you experience in that field

[-]

AutoModerator@reddit

Please help keep AskUK welcoming!

When repling to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!

Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.