Ahh, retail.
It's one of the most varied fields to work in. It covers a vast spectrum of services ranging from home appliances to high-end fashion.
So many people have either worked or currently work in retail, and as someone who's worked in this industry for two years now, I can attest to just how valuable a job it is. I work at a relatively high-end clothing store in Boston, which has taught me important lessons and values that I never would have imagined I'd get from this job.
I thought it would be fun and easy, but oh was I wrong. It 's a job that yes, has its perks and fun moments, but most of the time it can be mentally and physically taxing. However, I have to say that I am so grateful for this job and feel a sense of pride for what I do. I have learned so much about people, the psychology of shopping, and how to perform a variety of different tasks.
Here are just 9 of the lessons/values that I've learned from this job:
1. Not everyone shopping knows how to properly treat employees
A lot of the shoppers that I, along with my coworkers, have interacted with have been very rude and demanding. How someone could treat working people with such disrespect is beyond me. WE are performing a service for YOU so treat us with the respect we deserve. It's impossible to help a customer who's being difficult or downright mean. And to make it worse, "the customer is always right" is a rule we must adhere to, which I certainly don't agree is a sufficient policy.
2. Become friendly with your coworkers
You will be spending long hours and rough shifts with these people, so it's in your best interest to get to know them. The better you know your fellow employees the easier it will be to voice any issues that you're dealing with or anything that's bothering you during your shift. It also makes work more fun as these people can sometimes become your close friends.
3. Wear comfortable clothes/shoes!
I learned this the hard way. Please, whatever you do, wear shoes with insoles in them if you're going to be on your feet for 6 hours or more. Also, tight skinny jeans that yes, may look cute, can feel anything but when you're constantly bending and moving. It's basically a one way ticket to fashion hell.
4. Never panic if something becomes difficult or overwhelming
When I first started my retail job, I would get anxiety if I didn't know how to do a certain task or handle certain customer issues. Now, I know that the best way to deal with these situations is to take a breath and either ask another employee or your manager for help. They'll be proud that you asked for assistance rather than try to fix it yourself and possibly make it worse.
5. The perks are really nice
Yes, there is a discount on the products being sold for the employees, and where I work this is very rewarding. It's even better when we get special bonuses, such as half-off all products or $50 per person from the company to spend on anything in the store.
6. It feels great when you make someone's day
Being able to help a customer choose an outfit that makes them look and feel good in turn makes you feel good. It also shows how much your sales skills have developed.
7. Learning how to handle difficult people
There's likely no better job to have that shows you the raw and often unpleasant qualities of the general public. I've had every mean word and insult hurled at me and though it made me so upset at first, I now don't even let it bother me. You build up a resistance to these types of interactions and it prepares you for how to best handle such people down the line. Knowing skills on how to manage a difficult person remains with you for the rest of your life no matter where you go or work.
8. The value of a dollar
By working around 7 hour shifts 5 days a week and then seeing your paycheck, it really hits you just how hard you have to work to earn a decent wage. You also learn how to budget and spend your money wisely. For instance, to buy a nice top, which costs on average about $30, you'll have to work around 3 hours. So then you may ask yourself, is this top really worth 3 hours of my time and work?
9. It's okay to make mistakes
No one's perfect. There are going to be days that you're not on your A-game and that you even end up aggravating the manager, but don't be hard on yourself for it. Instead, ask your manager how to improve so that the mistake doesn't happen again. They're there to help you and want you to be the best employee you can be, so don't think that they'll think less of you, for even they mess up sometimes. As I stated in point #4, always try to stay calm in a difficult situation and ask for help.
These are just a few of the many lessons and values that I, as well as the majority of retail employees, have learned through working this type of job. I hope this advice was helpful!
