Help with a retail interview

LadyMayBelle

Hi there,
I just got offered an interview with a homestore shop. you know selling curtains, bed linen etc. A large chain. I have been out of the retail sector about six years now and the jobs in between were nothing to do with retail!

Any tips about what I should drop in to the interview? I have read their website, and learning how to measure curtains etc so I'll have that in my favour should I was asked..

I was going to wear a smart skirt and shirt and moderate heels, altho I know the staff only wear shirts and black trousers.

It's only a part time position but Im hoping it will see me through college at least for a year..

Any tips would be much appreciated

taram

Just got a retail job, said a lot about working with others well, enthusaism for the products, refer to your past retail experience. They'll probably ask you what would you do in certain scenarios, try think what could come up, then refer it to past experience and sound like a team player while solving it

Good plan on the outfit, looking the part is half the job! Good luck!

LadyMayBelle

Thanks Taram, appreciate it!

Serafijn

Try to think of all the skills/qualities they'll be looking for. The job description is a good start, but for retail you're looking at things like customer service, numeracy, teamwork, ability to learn quickly (things like the till and stock control systems, as well as new products coming in), and a good attitude to work.

Then think about how you fill these criteria and what you've done in the past that display the qualities you want to show off. Saying 'I'm a really fast learner,' holds a lot more weight if it's followed by 'In my previous job I picked up the new system faster than all of my colleagues, and my manager even asked me to conduct training sessions.'

Picture yourself in the job before you go in and have some questions about the company, the role and the team you'll be working in. Remember that the interview is also a chance for you to decide whether you really want to be spending all of your free time working there!

Good luck and let us know how you get on

LadyMayBelle

Cheers for that, I'll let ye know:)