Getting work in retail

Hi I am 31yrs old and have previously worked in mining,apart from when I was 15-20 I did work in a newsagency then as a travel consultant. Recently I was made redundant due to down turn in the industry and me only working part time. As a family we decided that I wouldn't accept a full time shift working role as we didn't want to employ a Nanny when husband works shift work also. I am looking to get some part time work in retail, something like the just jeans, myer, cotton on, pillow talk etc etc. Do I need to wait until jobs are advertised or should I walk into the stores and resume drop? If so, what sort of clothing do I wear? Also if I have 1-2 days a week for day care then can work particular alternating days around DH roster would many people find that acceptable? The roster can be projected years in advance. I really would love to work in retail, meet people and friends and work my way up over the years to manage a store but I have no idea where to start. Any advice appreciated.

I'm sure someone will be able to advise better, but I think a good place to start would be to check the websites of some of the major retailers that you are interested in working for. I suspect many will have centrally-coordinated recruitment processes rather than done by individual stores. It will vary from place to place, and the best thing you can do is research what each place wants so you're doing it right for them.

I just wanted to say, that you've already got both sales and customer-service experience (newsagent and travel) so emphasise the transferable skills that those positions gave you by setting your resume out in a skills-based format. Include every aspect of those skills, eg (just going off the top of my head) sales, customer service, stock-taking, competent/confident with cash registers/inventory searching, etc etc. Emphasis your wins, eg if your sales record was particularly good or you got any compliments from employers or customers.

Hiya. Firstly you need to take your resume and have a good hard look at it- then tailor the crap out of it to suit a retail position! You can make one for department store retail and another for shopfront as well- this shows you are aware of what is needed in the role. Also google position descriptions for the different types of retail stores you are looking at- and talk about HOW you can fit them. Never assume one list of 'relevant experience' fits all. Having looked at alot of resumes over the years (including retail, but have project managed recruitments in a few other similar industries- operational delivery, hospitality, etc) I can honestly say it is always a relief reading a resume and just getting a sense of 'she/he actually understands the job they're applying for! Thank god!
If you sound on paper like you truly understand what the role entails you're halfway there.

Also read company mission statements and prowl their website. If I handed in the same résumé, gave same responses and wore same interview outfit at just jeans and myer it's probably doubtful I'd get both job offers. They're worlds apart in style, consumer target market and company practice.

For retail generally you will wear a similar outfit to the store you are at (eg Myer you would dress more professionally than Cotton On). Black is generally a safe option with a statement piece of jewellery- it shows you are confident but don't need to overdress.

Also apply a couple places you have no interest in working- if you have a trial interview it will get a LOT of jitters out. I find most people fall down on their performance in interview- I always give them feedback of 'treat it as a trial interview for your dream job' and give them a pointer or two if I liked them. Always ask for interview feedback and use it.

You can go on the sites for the Major stores and fill out the forms there but I would also go and check with the stores in your area as well, thats how I get my job and I got in first because I was there rather than my name being one of many on a list.

If its any of the coles/woolworths/myer type stores I would stick with black pants white top neat and tidy hair. If you're looking for a small store I would dress in a way that reflects the store or maybe go in and check out what the others are wearing so you already look like you "fit the part"

The woolworths/coles branded stores are pretty fexible with how many days and the kind of hours you want as long as they have space for it, if that makes sense. I work Mon, Tue, Wed and alternate Fridays and Saturdays (so one week its fri the next its Sat) so 4 days a week 9.30-2.30, basically school hours. Then on School holidays I work the same days but 4.30-9.30pm because there are very little/no care options here.

My contract is set but if we need to swap days they try to accommodate that where they can, our rosters are done 2-3 weeks in advanced so we need to tell them before they are done.

I had ZERO training/skills for retail and hadn't worked in years (Stay at home mum) but easily got the job.

It is hard to get time off around public holidays, christmas, new year, easter etc though so something to keep in mind.

I have great customers but some days I have people I would like to slap around with a limp cabbage leaf!

Anyway good luck!

Thank you so much for the replies ladies. I completely understand that working with the public again will have its ups and downs and perhaps it won't be as awesome as I think it will be but willing to give it a shot. Thanks again!!