not needed in new job

LegacyUser

im looking for any advice really because this is really getting me down, i have being unemployed for 5 years or more and i finally landed a part time job in a retail shop the only thing is im really not needed its a tiny shop and there is already 3 girls working there so im just standing around all day im prepared to work and want to keep this job but there is nothing to do the place is really quiet and i try to serve the customers as much as i can but with 3 other girls it leaves very little to do, there is barley work for 1 girl let alone 3 im so afraid im going to be let go and go back to sitting at home all day, as it took me over 5 yeears to land this job, any ideas of what i can do next

heretochat

Keep your head down and keep working in the job as best as you can. If you do this and the worst happens at least you will leave with the chance of a good reference for the next job you go for.

MagicMarker

Be proactive. If there's nothing to do then make up something to do. Clean, arrange/re-organise the shelves, make yourself stand out so that if the time comes the boss has to let someone go, they'd be less inclined to choose you.

What kind of shop is it? Depending on what you sell, there are tips for busy work which can keep you occupied ... or at least looking like you're occupied.

I worked in a clothes shop for a while ... re-organise the merchandise on the racks in order of size, check the labels, make sure a size is displayed in every item if possible ... "clean" the stock room, take deliveries, re-organise the stock, when you're in the stock room, take your time ... be "on the the fitting room" getting other sizes for customers and keeping it clean and tidy ... "merchandising", re-organise the displays and mannequins ... cleaning, cleaning, cleaning!

Be pro-active, if you're doing it, someone else can't. Working in retail can have long periods of quiet leading to boredom, try to connect with your colleagues and talk with them when it's permissible. Chat to the customers whenever you can (only if it's reciprocated) ... this is good both for you and the business.

Keep at it, get the experience and keep your eyes and ears open for another position.

Design78

Look on pinterest & other sites to get ideas for how to display merchandise. Even if you cant implement your ideas it will show your making an effort & have an interest.

Santa Cruz

Get positive. Get to know the customers and their needs. I can't see how a quiet shop can pay four wages. What type of shop is it? Is there any scope for extending the merchandise that would create extra footfall

R.D. aka MR.D

I agree with other posters who are saying there is always something to. I worked in retail for a long time and there is ALWAYS cleaning to be done. Dust shelves, clean above mirrors and any other place there could be a tiny piece of dirt.

Yes, there are times when it is boring but maybe they took you on now to get you trained for the christmas rush.

When i started in my last job in retail i was only on 4 hours a week but in those 4 hours i worked hard and always looked for a job to do to show that i was taking initiative and before i left (within 2 years) i had been promoted and regularly worked over 40hours a week.

LegacyUser

yes i dust the whole shelves which takes around 40 minutes, there could go nearly an hour without a customer comeing in and im loseing the will to live standing there doing nothing, the other girls who have worked there for near 10 years just stand there and drink tea when there is no customers for long periods of time, i feel like i should be busy at all times and cant get over just standing there doing nothing most of the day,