So I have worked retail for almost two years of my life. It was my first real job (by real I mean automatic bank deposits and taxes), but I don't want it to be my last. However, it has helped me grow so much as a person, both professionally and emotionally.
1) How to deal with really annoying people.
Yes, this is what EVERY retail employee always says, but lets be real: there are some pretty terrible individuals on this Earth. And when working such a commercial and trivial job such as retail, the shit you see, hear and deal with with not only prepare you for the ignorant and selfish people you will continually deal with for the rest of your life, it will also harden you to them, making you one tough mother.
2) Cool people exist.
There are actually people who share your snarky sense of humor and your love for overpriced clothes! And the stuff you go through together becomes an unspoken bond, that is stronger than anything else. Seriously, if any of you are reading this, y'all are the real MVP's, the true gems that keep me working (and the money, but we all now that's what we're here for).
3) People skills.
If you know me, you'll know I used to be quiet, and I would hide my personality at all costs. But after experiencing the part of my job that is to greet and interact with customers as much as possible, not so much. This won't be true for everyone, but if you step outside of your comfort zone, it is well worth it. Practice makes perfect when it comes to this. And now I can actually hold a conversation without wanting to pee my pants out of anxiety. And I can pretend to be interested in a conversation that is boring without even yawning! Amazing!
4) When to talk and when to listen.
This sounds so simple, but believe me it's true. As they say, the customer is always right, and if you nail a customer's order, the praise you receive it great. Also you learn to take orders from someone above you without screwing up.
5) How to juggle A LOT of tasks at once.
For example, at any given time while I'm at the register, I'm also finding something for a customer, straightening up clothes, processing through returned items and refilling bags. It may not sound like much, but believe me it can be hectic! This sure has come in handy for completing assignments for school.
6) Letting the negative stuff go.
The things customers have said to me and my co-workers are not always... nice. I've literally cried because this lady was making me feel incompetent while I was trying to return an item she bought. But if I let that stay with me forever, my self confidence would be so low. You learn to get past that stuff and it makes you stronger!
In conclusion working retail can be terrible at times, but seriously it is so beneficial. If I had never gotten this job, I would be so different, and I don't know if it would be in a good way. Shout out to all my fellow sales associates!
