As much as I have moaned and groaned about my night shifts, and working my way up to a lead associate, and junior manager, I learned a lot about my job, people, and even more about myself than I ever expected to.
Working in a department store taught me to have patience. Which is probably a virtue I never had, until now. (*Still debatable, because I still struggle with it.*)
I’ve dealt with my fair share of rude, impolite and difficult customers, who want everything for free, or at a discounted price and if the customer(s) is not completely satisfied. I deal with being ridiculed and scolded for several minutes. Any ounce of patience I have was tested and drained daily.
I learned to let the eye rolls, and the nagging finger roll off my back as soon as I lock the door behind me at night. Sometimes that’s easier said than done…but it’s all about the learning process.
I’ve learned that team work and compromising are key to any businesses’ success. With dysfunction amidst employees, management, and outside stressors, everyone must be understanding and willing to have wiggle room to keep people happy, which in turn make the store successful.
This was difficult, especially since, the only person you can control is yourself, and how you handle difficult people, shifts, and the responsibilities that are piled on you. Be resilient and kind, always.
Respect is crucial. Many customers do not and will not respect you, but always respect them, no matter how rotten they are behaving. Observe, and act tastefully.
Retail employees aren’t fairy godmothers; we don’t have a wand to make items appear in the back. We aren’t maids either, please don’t throw merchandise on tables, racks, or leave items on the floor.
Holidays become a feeding frenzy and it’s not pretty to watch humans act in this manner. As an employee, it’s hard not to become Mr. Scrooge/ the Grinch during the holidays, BUT employees realize the importance of family time and being home AKA the true meaning behind holidays. The only gift most employees want is time off to be with their family, instead of pulling a double shift on Christmas Eve and Black Friday.
Humility and respect are rare characteristics…please, practice daily, and especially on holidays.
A sincere, "please" and "thank you" go a long way!
Working in a customer-driven environment, all employees work hard and diligently for their paycheck. We do not deserve to be taken advantage of, or to be mistreated by grouchy, ill-mannered and ill-tempered human beings.
We are humans and equals, not robots, not miracle workers.
Be kind to one another.
The values and lessons you receive when working in retail are necessary to thrive in any business environment, and outside of work too… So, when looking for your first, second, or third job, consider retail. It may lead you down a career path you never thought of before.
