Retail careers abound, from shoes stores to computer and computer parts to cars. The retail sales person is the main man to look after customers find what they want to buy. Retail sales persons also explain the features of the products or items, promoting its importance and sometimes conduct a demo to show how it works. The retail sales person who works in the apparel and department stores not only sells but also carry out transactions to the customers like receiving payments by cash, check or credit card, then packaging the items.
Retail careers may include cashiers who man the cash registers. Her or his jobs will be counting the money, collecting coupons, slips, vouchers and may have to deposit the money to the bank or to the cash office. The cashier may have the duties of the retail sales person in some shops and stores. The cashier may also arrange delivery services, do inventory, and prepare shelves display.
Some retail store workers do the jobs of both retail sales persons and cashier especially those working in high tech shops selling sophisticated items. The retail sales person should be able to explain and demo the item. The same goes when working in a car company, the retail sales person promote the best features of the automobile, the make, horsepower, mileage, financing, warranties and safety features like belts and airbag. The retail sales persons and cashier should be aware of the security measures and policy of the store management. He or she should be quick to respond to any emergencies including calling the police or fire department.
A well lighted, comfortable, and clean store is a workplace of a retail sales person and a cashier. They have to notify their immediate supervisors when leaving the sales floor. Some retail sales persons may also work outdoors when working in plants, yard and cars display. The cashiers and the retail sales persons work a typical 40 hour a week schedule. In some cases, the cashier or the retail sales person may work extended hours especially around the holidays and peak seasons. The yearend sale and the beginning of the year are the busiest time for these workers.
A high school education should be enough for retail careers. A bachelor’s degree is required for management trainee or for managerial positions. The stores also provide training on the job so all you need to learn is on the jobs itself. Larger stores that sell sophisticated items prefer workers with a bachelor’s degree. All workers should have good communications skill and enjoys selling as a part of their job. They also enjoy entertaining questions and eventually sell the product.
Retail careers are found in the services, manufacturing, medical devices, department stores, retail stores and more. The latest count for 2010 retail industry employees are approximately 5 million. In every city or town, retail stores are found so there are virtually jobs everywhere. The outlook for the careers in retail is very good and increasing fast. Below you will find salaries or cashiers and sales persons for different industries. These salaries depend on the size or the firm, educations and position.
The retail careers (cashier or retails sales person) median hourly wages are:
• Apparel and clothing - $10
• Department stores and malls - $12
• Merchandise stores, wholesale - $15
• Lumber, building or construction supply - $16.50
• Car showrooms - $20
During the interview don’t appear desperate because this will send you out of the door very quickly, demonstrate your abilities instead and don’t be over confident. Show the interviewer that you can do the job and make him believe you can so that you will land the job that you are eyeing for.
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