PLEASE HELP, RIVER ISLAND

BOBOLO

Watsup Forum folk .

Im wondering if anyone can help with a little problem im having?!?.
I didn't exactly know where to post this (I thought fashion( River Island)

I Know its a reccession but im having trouble optaining an interview at River Island. Im 17 and havent had any retail experience, but I dont think you need experience to be a "Sales Advisor"(or do you??)

Ive applied for Various Sales assistant positions, but they keep emailing back saying...sorry we cant bring you to the next satge of......blah blah blah., ive applied again and answered the questionaare diffrently.

Im just wondering if anyone has any tips to get me me in somewhere, or know of any other places going??

cheers, thanks

Aard

I'd say the problem is that you're "17 and haven't had any retail experience".

BrandonFlowers

ditto, i'd say a lot of places want experienced heads in these troubled times ha

ergonomics

I work in River Island and they recently reduced every single staff member's hours. They possibly aren't hiring at the moment? Are you applying through the website or to an actual store? I'd say if it's online that the store nearest you isn't hiring.

Bougeoir

They hired me last year and I didn't have a clue about fashion advice although they do ask you to pick out an outfit for the interview so you have to go to the floor and choose an outfit for the specified occasion which they tell you. Best way is just to choose clothes that are near each other that are arranged to form a certain look. If you're into shopping, you'd probably know what I mean. Many places aren't really hiring though at the moment so try lots of different places! Although I wouldn't recommend working with them myself as I thought they were awful employers to be honest. I'm not there anymore. Of course you can't exactly be choosy in this day and age with this bloody recession... :rolleyes:

BOBOLO

Bougeoir wrote: »

They hired me last year and I didn't have a clue about fashion advice although they do ask you to pick out an outfit for the interview so you have to go to the floor and choose an outfit for the specified occasion which they tell you. Best way is just to choose clothes that are near each other that are arranged to form a certain look. If you're into shopping, you'd probably know what I mean. Many places aren't really hiring though at the moment so try lots of different places! Although I wouldn't recommend working with them myself as I thought they were awful employers to be honest. I'm not there anymore. Of course you can't exactly be choosy in this day and age with this bloody recession... :rolleyes:

Now way, thats mad, I'd go straight for the shirts and Slacks, do they give you enough time??cant go wrong. yeah i know whay you mean., I applied on the official river island website, It sais apply for a sales advisor job, in which it leads you to their recruitment page. and it seems they have 10+ vacancies for there new store in the ilac. I Think Id be grand for the job. I know the likes of John david sports(scanger palace) had a rake of 16 yr olds in there a while back...so I dunno. Its not like you have to be 18 to optain a job in this country....maybe something will pick up.

(i applied 6 times, so they know im eager...haha:P:o:P.) and i recently left college so, they can give any amount of hours they like.

WHAT type of questions do you think would be asked in such interview, or has anyone any tips?

Bougeoir

BOBOLO wrote: »

Now way, thats mad, I'd go straight for the shirts and Slacks, cant go wrong. yeah i know whay you mean., I applied on the official river island website, It sais apply for a sales advisor job, in which it leads you to their recruitment page. and it seems they have 10+ vacancies for there new store in the ilac. I Think Id be grand for the job. I know the likes of John david sports(scanger palace) had a rake of 16 yr olds in there a while back...so I dunno. Its not like you have to be 18 to optain a job in this country....maybe something will pick up.

(i applied 6 times, so they know im eager...haha:P:o:P.) and im not in college so, they can give any amount of hours they like.

WHAT type of questions do you think would be asked in such interview, or has anyone any tips?

Oh yeah they are opening up a new store there I forgot. Actually just give them time to reply. I mean I recently got offered a job position in H&M Dundrum the new Kids store there. I applied in like the start of January and didn't get a call back until mid-February. Often they won't ring you back until they are starting the interviewing process so be patient! Dundrum often have vacancies popping up now and again. Try Link. Well usually choose the most simple outfit. Something so elaborate can be tacky. Although I actually had to choose a woman's outfit as I was working in the Dundrum branch and they only have a women's section there. Just keep trying that's all I can say!

BOBOLO

Bougeoir wrote: »

Oh yeah they are opening up a new store there I forgot. Actually just give them time to reply. I mean I recently got offered a job position in H&M Dundrum the new Kids store there. I applied in like the start of January and didn't get a call back until mid-February. Often they won't ring you back until they are starting the interviewing process so be patient! Dundrum often have vacancies popping up now and again. Try Link. Well usually choose the most simple outfit. Something so elaborate can be tacky. Although I actually had to choose a woman's outfit as I was working in the Dundrum branch and they only have a women's section there. Just keep trying that's all I can say!

OH, so maybe their keeping the details and theyll get on to me, thanks.
Ah i suppose.im sure ill be grand when they ask. Jasus if they asked to me pick a womans outfit, ill go to undie section. "GRAND";). .
would i have to actually put the clothes on?????? :eek:. (model for them :pac:)

thanks anyway. im much more aware of the proccess now

OctavarIan

BrandonFlowers wrote: »

ditto, i'd say a lot of places want experienced heads in these troubled times ha

No, it's the opposite. Younger and no experience means lower wages to pay out.

That's what I keep telling myself when I see kids fresh out of their junior cert being hired over me (college student with 3+ years experience)

Bougeoir

OctavarIan wrote: »

No, it's the opposite. Younger and no experience means lower wages to pay out.

That's what I keep telling myself when I see kids fresh out of their junior cert being hired over me (college student with 3+ years experience)

Well actually River Island surprisingly enough pay under-18s and over-18s the same wage which is minimum wage but apparently there are different rates of pay if you're under-18.

dragonfly!

Bougeoir wrote: »

Well actually River Island surprisingly enough pay under-18s and over-18s the same wage which is minimum wage but apparently there are different rates of pay if you're under-18.

true. the min wage €8.65 only has to be paid if over 18 and have at least 2 years experience

BOBOLO

dragonfly! wrote: »

true. the min wage €8.65 only has to be paid if over 18 and have at least 2 years experience

Thats bad...., although its not really the money Im worried about.Its more about just obtaining a job in either river, or even topman. an seen as how topman arnt hiring...RIVER ISLAND ARE STUCK WITH ME .
Maybe there just playing hard to get.................


In case I do optain an interview, does anyone know their dress code?. or a suitable one?, (somehow I dont think a suit on a 17 year old college student looking for a sales advisor job would be appropriate ).

ha-ya-said-what

Your best off asking someone who works there on the QT, most managers & what not I've come across put your appearance first

You go into your interview in a funky little clothes shop or hair salon in a suit & they'll think hhmm is she only wearing that for the interview or is she fashion & style concious like the staff I need in my shop?

I went for an interview before (nooo expericence), all the others in the line looked like they'd walked in for a ramble around the city & had all their certs & cv sheets at hand... I'd nothing just well dressed & did my best soft spoken voice, gave me the job there & then.... tho I think they learned down the line they hired a brat of a demon lol

BOBOLO

ha-ya-said-what wrote: »

Your best off asking someone who works there on the QT, most managers & what not I've come across put your appearance first

You go into your interview in a funky little clothes shop or hair salon in a suit & they'll think hhmm is she only wearing that for the interview or is she fashion & style concious like the staff I need in my shop?

I went for an interview before (nooo expericence), all the others in the line looked like they'd walked in for a ramble around the city & had all their certs & cv sheets at hand... I'd nothing just well dressed & did my best soft spoken voice, gave me the job there & then.... tho I think they learned down the line they hired a brat of a demon lol

Aha , that would be me!. I'd be lost Ive no experience with work or interviews.( I read on the net that they do mainly GROUP interviews.)
they might stick people in a room and ask a few questions about themselves ...and then to create an outfit to suit a certain celeb, (JASUS :rolleyes:) ....aww, im lost. :pac:

OldGoat

BOBOLO wrote: »

somehow I dont think a suit on a 17 year old college student looking for a sales advisor job would be appropriate

:eek:
Always wear a suit to an interview when possible. You want to appear professional and not like a 17 year old college student.

BOBOLO

OldGoat wrote: »

:eek:
Always wear a suit to an interview when possible. You want to appear professional and not like a 17 year old college student.

ok, do you think it would be apropriate/good idea to ask what the dress code is if they call me?

OldGoat

BOBOLO wrote: »

ok, do you think it would be apropriate/good idea to ask what the dress code is if they call me?

Yes. Asking (good) questions is always a good thing. It shows interest and enthusiam. There are numerous sites and agencies that will give you interview DO's & DON'Ts. I'm sure if you ask in the Business forum you'll get pointed in the right direction. I think I still have an interview fact sheet around here somewhere. If I can dig it up I'll PM you.

BOBOLO

OldGoat wrote: »

Yes. Asking (good) questions is always a good thing. It shows interest and enthusiam. There are numerous sites and agencies that will give you interview DO's & DON'Ts. I'm sure if you ask in the Business forum you'll get pointed in the right direction. I think I still have an interview fact sheet around here somewhere. If I can dig it up I'll PM you.

Thanks for the advice.
Ill have a look around
Cheers.

speedboatchase

Is it just for the discount? Try get a job in their stockroom. I worked there part time for a few years and all you have to do is lift boxes

Aard

Also, fwiw, I know a girl who used to work in River Island on Grafton Street, and she said it was awful, never again.

BOBOLO

speedboatchase wrote: »

Is it just for the discount? Try get a job in their stockroom. I worked there part time for a few years and all you have to do is lift boxes

Just to have a job really. If I dont get one now i never will :rolleyes:

Aard wrote: »

Also, fwiw, I know a girl who used to work in River Island on Grafton Street, and she said it was awful, never again.

Yeah I'v heard nobody likes them at all. What was it do you know?
Beggers cant be choosers I'm afraid, and a job NOW,.... Is a JOB! .:(

Unfortunatley they keep emailing me back with "unfortunatley we wont be taking you through to the next stage of our recriutment process.. IDIOTS.

ahh well their loss, not mine hey?

Corruptedmorals

The amount of times I've walked past the Grafton Street ones, my shop having closed after it did..and they're still working. They don't get out for hours. They're nuts about security too. Heard awful things about the Liffey Valley one. Anyway, what's the point of opening one in the Ilac unless the one in Arnotts goes? Overkill.

There's an Aldo opening on Grafton Street, think Laura Ashley are hiring too. You seem a bit pickier than that though.