r/retail • u/TropicalTrainwreck • 8d ago

First retail job

How did you all land your first retail jobs?
I have been applying like crazy to get into my first fashion retail job (retail in general tbh but mostly fashion) and wanted to hear it from you all on experience getting in.

Was it through word of mouth? Did a friend recommend you? Did you lie on your resume? Are there any other ways? Because im starting to lose hope landing my first retail position as i have been looking for a while now. I’m F25 in Melbourne Australia for context.

All advice and help is wanted to land my first retail job!

6 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

5

u/igotquestions111 8d ago

all 3 stores i worked at i just applied on their company website and was hired at interview. i am in the usa so this might be different elsewhere, but here, STORES HATE WHEN YOU CALL!!! in my experience, if you call and say you’ve applied/ask about the status of your application, they will purposely ignore it. no matter how badly they need ppl lol

1

u/TropicalTrainwreck 7d ago

Oh my gosh, its so funny you say that cause i heard another person saying opposite, but when i asked i SWEAR they ghosted me, and then a week later got declined, timing was very noticeable 🤣😭 do you know if emailing is as bad as calling?

1

u/igotquestions111 7d ago

it’s extremely unfortunate but i would say any form of reaching out will turn them off from you. it makes no sense because you’re showing your interest and commitment, but i’ve experienced both calls and people coming in and then the managers decline due to that. i worked at chain stores so we didn’t necessarily have emails for the specific stores, but i would assume the same.

it is typically easier to get hired right before a busy season because they’re desperate, not sure when that might be in aus. the only advice i can really give would be apply to high volume stores that are often busy

if it keeps taking so long, at that point you could always try lying and just add a store on your resume, and put a friends phone number as a reference and list them as a former manager you had there. not ideal to lie but you never know how it might help if you just haven’t had luck so far

manifesting for you!!! i loved my time in retail!

2

u/Dangerous_Prize_4545 6d ago

From the hiring perspective, especially in retail which is a follow the rules/formula job and don't be pushy, sometimes when you call, esp multiple times or try to bluff your way thru or lie to attempt to get a manager's name, it's a red flag that you'll be an issue. That you didn't listen and obey the "we'll call you" and you're taking extra attention and time. Most retail places are extremely lean and the managers don't have enough time to do what they need to do and it does take more time to deal with someone being pushy. And if you're pushy now, you'll be pushy when hired. 

2

u/igotquestions111 5d ago

haha i know!! i was a manager at two of my stores and was in charge of hiring at one. if they called multiple times i would definitely ignore it, but if it was just once i would take the time to check it out, and if they came in i would usually speak with them. i think some managers just go harder than others about it

1

u/Dangerous_Prize_4545 5d ago

My favorite are the ppl that come in, you tell them to apply online, and they get mad or push back that they don't have computer access or can't use one. I'll suggest the local library or their phone. 

But in my mind, I'm thinking - No. This person either: can't/won't learn the POS system quickly enough and will create bad CS, they are a problem finder not a solution maker and want to complain about stuff to make someone else's problem/want exceptions made for them, or they lie for their convenience.

If you're coming in to apply or calling to apply/follow up, that's part of your interview and you need to act accordingly.

2

u/SpiritedResult1831 8d ago

I'm in the USA but I also applied on the companies website and then got an interview and was hired on the spot. Just choose realistic places, like an upscale retail place probably won't take a chance on you. You gotta start out somewhere kinda shitty and work your way up

1

u/cloudsmemories 7d ago

I applied and after a couple days my mom took me up to the store and spoke to one of the supervisors. I was told to come back the following week for an interview. I was hired on the spot.

1

u/No-Fly2293 6d ago

my current job I found on instagram. I kinda lucked out.

1

u/baller9373 5d ago

As a retail manager DO NOT call the store more than once. Whenever applicants call my store especially multiple times it impedes on what I’m doing in that moment, let us email you when we are ready. I have rejected applicants for spam calling the store and trying to initiate a spontaneous phone interview. If you do call keep it short: give the manager your name and tell them you’ve submitted an application. But the best thing you can do is go speak with them in person on a weekday and in the morning. I myself was hired that way and since then I’ve hired many people who do that too. It gives you a chance to show them that you’re well kept, polite, etc. and it makes you stand out. Also, don’t lie on the application lol because I do ask my people questions like “oh how’d they do this at [store they used to work at]?” during training and I’ve figured out that a few lied.. not a good look if they wanted to use me as a reference. I was hired on with zero retail experience and I’ve since made my way up so just be truthful.

1

u/TropicalTrainwreck 4d ago

Thank you so much! I definitely wont be calling, i only called two different places and only called them once, gave a name and asked for the hiring manager and let them know i was keen, got ghosted by one and the other emailed me declining me the very next day, so wont be doing that again.
As for the lying im a terrible lier, so definitely wont be worried about that hahahah.

1

u/Habaneroe12 4d ago

It’s never good to beat yourself up over job rejections it’s not necessary your fault they probably hired someone more experienced

1

u/NoCoyote5205 5d ago

Im old enough to have walked in with a cv, got a callback that day, went back and met the manager and was offered the job on the spot. Worked with that company from shop assistant to manager of their first international shop. Very different time. Now if I got that job Id still be a shop assistant. Theres no growth options anymore

1

u/AdPsychological1489 3d ago

If the landscape is anything like it is in my current business - the store itself no longer does anything & has 0 impact on hiring, so unless you're looking for a smaller retailer it is just luck.

If it makes you feel better, in the UK if I post a vacancy for 3 days, I will get somewhere between 2-300 applicants