Employment in a Retail

Finding a job vacancy in retail can be a challenge. Many vacancies are not advertised. Those that are are quickly snapped up because of the number of people looking for work. This is why you need a plan to land a retail job.

It takes hard work and commitment to land the job you want, it will rarely just fall into your lap. Like anything good in life, that which you have planned and worked for is more appreciated. This is especially true in landing a retail job since many opportunities fly under the radar.

The following advice not only helps you identify roles, it also helps sell you since that is what is most crucial in finding a job in a retail store, selling yourself, showing that you are the person the business should hire to help them grow the business.

Before you start looking for retail work, get stuck into some preparation. Take your time to think carefully about and work through these four points:

1. What type of retail job are you looking for? What type of retail, the hours, the location and the position within the business? It is important to know exactly what you are looking for.

2. Prepare your documentation package. Your documentation package should contain the information whichsells you. This ought to include an introductory letter, your resume (or CV as it can be called), references from past employment, police or security check (if appropriate to the role) and and other information which sells you.

3. Prepare yourself for making the pitch. Do you look the part for the type of store you want to pitch yourself to? If not, maybe this retail store is not for you. Think about that carefully. There is no point in looking like someone you are not. Alternatively, some simple work could make you look more appealing and appropriate to the business. Remember, it is a buyers market.

4. How will you sell yourself? prepare and rehearse several pitches: the 30 second intro, the two to five minute pitch and the fifteen minute presentation where you reveal your skills and passion for the business. The different pitches will help you prepare for the different situations you encounter. Practise in front of the mirror and with friends who will provide honest feedback.

With preparatory work done, you can turn your attention to actually looking for your ideal retail job. Here are some simple steps to follow:

1. Walk the shopping malls. Look at retail stores from the perspective of an employee. Develop a list of retail stores which interest you. Make sure that your interest in them will make a good and believable story as it is bound to be covered in an interview if you get to that point.

2. Research opportunities online. Research your shortlist of retail stores online. Visit their website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, MySpace page, blogs and any other online forum where you can find out more about them. If appropriate, comment on their blog - a good comment could get their attention.

3. make the move, offer yourself. Visit the retail businesses on your shortlist. Drop off your package and make a brief pitch. Keep your initial contact brief yet memorable - you want the people you com in contact with wanting you working for the business.

4. Follow-up after your initial contact. A day or two after your first contact, make a second contact with the retail store by a different means. If you dropped in on the first contact, follow up with a brief letter. If you first contacted the business by mail, drop in. Keep your follow up light.

The key message about finding a retail job is that you know what you want, have a plan and pursue your goal relentlessly, professionally and with passion. Passion is the key as this is what is more likely to win you the job.