28 Things All Holiday Retail Workers Are Tired Of Hearing

There's a little giggle for you, each and every one of those is true!

A lot of people think that working in retail is a piece of cake, literally go away! You have no idea what you’re talking about…

Anyway…you will be aware that I work in a clothing shop which I love. Over the next month or so my posts will probably be a bit slower, although I’m trying to keep up!

Have you ever worked in retail? What did you think?

O…is for Opportunities

I am definitely one for taking opportunities. Or at least I like to think I am! I recently had to decide whether to take an opportunity so that I could gain more experience or look for another job just so that I would have plenty of money.

I think it’s obvious which one I went for! I absolutely love my job and I’m so glad I get to stay! Sure it will be a struggle for a while but in some cases like this, it’s always better to think about what is going to happen in the long term, and with regards to my career, this is the best thing for it right now.

There are other areas of my life that I have taken up opportunities too. I have previously mentioned that I have been lucky enough to be offered two other writing opportunities that in my opinion are going really well!

It really goes to show that what you wanted to do 10 years ago or even 5, isn’t necessarily what you’re going to be doing for your career. Who knows where these opportunities are going to take me in the future, but I’m staying positive!

Job Interview Tips

This topic today is a follow up of my two previous blog posts on having a Job and What’s In My Bag for job interviews.

These are tips that I go by when I go for job interviews, and even though the interviewer obviously loves me anyway (JK), I feel that these tips really do work if you really want the job you’re going for. 

• Be Yourself

I guess this is a bit of an obvious one, but don’t try to be someone you aren’t, the interviewer has probably done hundreds of these interviews and will be able to see right through it! They will love you a whole lot more if you just relax and be yourself.

• Hide The Nerves

This is a harder one out of the lot, but if you can get past the nerves just a little bit, you will be able to give off a much better impression than if you are just a ball of nerves.

• Be Honest

There’s no point telling the interviewer something that isn’t true. If you can convince them that you’ve had tons of experience then be my guest, but if you can’t back it up with some evidence then you’ll be making a bit of a fool of yourself in my opinion.

• Act Confident

If you can get past those nerves, act confident, even if you aren’t! I’m a really negative person sometimes but once you get me talking, sometimes I can’t stop; it’s a strange thing. But I just act confident, even when I’m having an awful day and I have to go to work, I put on a brave face and act as confident as I can!

• Don’t Be So Uptight

And breathe…! Just relax. There’s that whole saying about how the spider is more scared of you that you are of it. Now I’m not saying the interviewer is scared of you but they’re probably nervous too and they want to get the best possible interview from you so relax a little, it’s not so bad!

• But Keep It Professional

Ok, so don’t relax too much, keep the banter there, laugh a bit but you aren’t having a chat with your best friend. You do need to keep some form of professionalism there or they definitely won’t hire you!

• Give Them A Reason To Choose You

Don’t forget, you are great! They called you in to have an interview for a reason; they thought your application was good enough. So show them what you’ve got, you’ll have that job no doubt!

What’s In My Bag – Job Interviews

A few weeks ago I had a number of interviews that I wanted to be prepared for. So here is a new edition of what’s in my bag!

To start with I used my nicest bag, just in case they noticed but also because it gave me that extra bit of confidence.

I always think it’s important to take an extra CV in case they need an extra copy or even if you see another place advertising on your way to or from the interview.

I tend to take my diary most places so this is no exception but I find it useful at interviews in case you need to check dates with them or note something down while you’re there.

Then there are a few essentials like hand sanitizer, tissues, paracetamol and mints. Just a few things I like to always carry around because I’m super organised!

I also take my passport to interviews because it is my proof that I can work, and sometimes they ask for it at interviews.

I need to take my oyster card and iPod and headphones for the journey to interviews, otherwise it would be a bit boring!

And the last thing I tend to have in my bag is water (or some form of drink). I get quite nervous so I drink a fair bit before the interview so I don’t get dehydrated or a dry mouth.

J… is for Jobs

I can remember the summer after I turned 16 being driven around my hometown and me handing in my CV’s to anywhere I could. From this moment on I have always had a job, except during term time at university.

You probably think that this is a really strange thing about me but I know that if I hadn’t been in the jobs I have then I wouldn’t have had any experience or the passion for customer service that I do.

As you may or may not know, I had a number of interviews a few weeks ago and until then I didn’t realise how much I loved having a job and the sense of pride I get from earning my own money.

The absolute relief I had when I got the phone call saying that I got the job is a feeling that I cannot begin to describe.

After only a couple of days I have seen a complete lift in my mood and I am so determined not to let anyone ruin that. You hear that? No one will ruin my mood.

This is just a part of my living in the moment and that my life is happening right now!