Working retail as a young adult is not easy, first and foremost. Retail is a demanding job; it requires time, patience, communication, and salesmanship. Hours spent refolding the same clothing or standing in one spot for hours on end does not sound appealing at first, but I challenge this idea. Retail is a job that students and young adults should flock to because of the opportunities it can present and the skills it teaches.
First, working retail can be a great gateway into another job. Retail places hire frequently and almost always accept applications for later review at the very least. This means that it can be easier to find a job in retail than in other entry-level positions. Cashiering and merchandise promotion are the two main focuses of retail positions, and both tend to be simplistic in nature. They require focus and attentiveness to customers, but they do not require months of training or handling difficult equipment.
The second benefit of working retail is that young adults learn to be a part of a team. Sports teams and clubs offer these kinds of lessons as well, but not in the same manner. Working on a sales team places more emphasis on professional relationships within a team and working together toward a common goal. Coworkers often come from different backgrounds, meaning that retail workers learn to carry out projects effectively with all kinds of people. Being in a club or sports team means that everyone shares some commonalities or interests; retail sales teams require more cooperation, and promote interpersonal skills to connect with each other in different ways.
Another interpersonal benefit in retail is working with customers. Effective marketing skills are valuable in virtually every business and every career path. Being able to connect with customers allows retail workers to improve communication skills as well. These skills can only improve future job applications and interviews. Sometimes it can be difficult to connect with customers who are downright rude or unsympathetic towards retail workers; I would bet that over 95% of retail workers have had at least one bad encounter with a customer. But working in retail teaches people how to deal with these kinds of situations. Once you have been in the shoes of a retail worker, you are less likely to be rude to retail workers that serve you. Increased empathy for this line of work can make anyone’s job a little easier, and provide a better experience for both the worker and the customer.
In addition to all of these benefits, retail work often has opportunities for advancement. Hard work and brand loyalty prove to employers when an employee is willing to be promoted. Promotions in this business come with more responsibility, but bigger paychecks and better work experiences make it worth it. One good promotion can open up bigger and better positions, both internally and externally. All of these benefits added together paint a much different picture of retail than the idea of selling cheaply made clothing at a mall for minimum wage. As with any job, it is an experience, and hard work pays off. Working retail can be hard, but it prepares skillsets applicable to almost any future career field in one way or another.
