Yahoo Finance How Seasonal Retail Experience Can Boost a Corporate Job Interview
If you've ever folded clothes at a retail store, rung up sales or worked a part-time seasonal job to supplement your income, you're not alone.
According to a recent Monster poll, two-thirds of respondents have worked for a retailer, warehouse or corporate headquarters. If you're one of these people, it's time to think beyond the paycheck.
The skills you learned at a retail gig can be used to ace your next corporate job interview. Here's how to do it.
1. Your purpose is to meet customers' needs. Sure, your primary responsibility may involve greeting customers at the door. But at the end of the day, you're there to point them in the right direction, answer questions and sell more product. In essence, your purpose revolves around serving the customer.
Interview tip: In order to ace a job interview, your mindset should be similar. The employer is, essentially, your customer, and your answers should be tailored to how you will best meet their needs.
You may be tempted to say something like, "I love crunching numbers! It's my strength, and I do it with accuracy while meeting strict deadlines." Instead, you can make the same point by stating something like, "My ability to work with numbers under tight deadlines will help you submit your monthly reports in a timely manner."
Remember, it's all about them. Tailor your answers accordingly by including the employer in your responses.
2. "How may I help you?" Even if you haven't sported a retail job since high school, the next time you're at the mall, tune in to one pivotal question from store employees: "How may I help you?" It's an extraordinary, yet simple, way to demonstrate customer service. Step into those shoes and stay there as you prepare for your next job interview.
Interview tip: By asking the employer how you can best help meet their goals, you're showing them that you are focused on the needs and goals of your customer -- the employer.
And don't stop there. Once you're on the job, feel free to start conversations with colleagues and clients by asking the same question.
3. Dealing with difficult customers is a win. You've probably dealt with at least one difficult customer during your tenure in retail. While it's not enjoyable, you're likely to learn more from that interaction than from someone who is polite.
The next time someone is abrupt, rude or condescending, remain positive and be grateful that they're giving you instant experience working through a thoughtful interview response. Be cognizant of how the situation unfolds and how you handle yourself, so you can keep it in mind for a vivid and accurate answer down the road.
Interview tip: A common interview question involves describing a situation when you dealt with a difficult client. The interviewer may ask, "What was the situation and how did you handle it?"
Although the experience may have been stressful at the time, leverage it for a stellar response. Emphasize how you kept your cool and remained professional in an otherwise dire situation. By asking about past behavior, employers are getting a sense of how you'll handle yourself in future situations.
4. Wearing many hats . Several years ago, I worked during weekends for a jewelry designer. I loved her jewelry and enjoyed selling it, especially since I was a former costumer who often wore it.
In a single day, I would speak with customers, ring up sales, ask the designer questions about custom orders, keep a watchful eye to ensure no merchandise was stolen, all while remaining pleasant and helpful. This created a perfect example of how I am able to manage multiple projects at one time.
Interview tip: Take mental notes during busy moments and ask yourself how you remain focused, grounded and pleasant. Pay attention to the various challenges and how you're able to overcome them.
Dig deep to ascertain those moments of feeling grounded, as well as the occasional moments when you may have lost it. What kept you intact? What triggered a potential distraction? Really dig deep into these moments so you can have answers at the ready for interview questions about how you manage a variety of projects at one time while driving positive results.
5. Find your inner zen . During intense moments -- insert Black Friday, Christmas Eve or irate customer returns here -- how were you able to remain calm and focused while also calming down an otherwise angry customer?
Maybe the cashier line was getting long, and you created a solution by asking a storage room clerk to distribute candy canes to keep customers happy. Employers are looking for specific examples of both the situation and the outcome. How were you able to accomplish this? What was your specific role?
Interview tip: Point out how you were able to find inner calmness while a chaotic world was brewing around you. This is a great trait in an employee. Employers want to understand if you have what it takes to lead the pack, which can sometimes get unruly.
Keep in mind that an interview question may stump you because it may not apply perfectly to your previous full-time job. That's where part-time jobs, as well as volunteer experiences, become even more valuable.
Finally, while it is great to call on your retail or part-time experience, make sure to mention whether the part-time job is temporary. That will prevent the prospective employer from worrying about your potential energy-deprived state or commitment to your career path with them.
Vicki Salemi is a career expert for Monster, a global leader in connecting people to jobs. She utilizes her more than 15 years of experience in corporate recruiting and human resources to empower job seekers with insights and firsthand knowledge from the halls of HR. A public speaker and consultant, Vicki is the author of "Big Career in the Big City," and former creator/host/producer of MediabistroTV's "Score That Job."
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