Have you been hunting for a job in the retail industry for a while now without much success? Maybe you haven’t yet started your search but you have your eyes set on retail. Knowing what sort of skills employers are looking for can help you to be a lot more successful in your job searching. Not only that, but it can help you land a job that suits you and makes you happy.
If you’re curious to know what sort of skills the retail industry is after when it comes to employees, then you’ll want to read on.
Excellent Verbal and Written Communication
Because you will be working with the public, employers want to know you have excellent verbal and written communication skills. You need to be able to listen to what the customer is telling you, understand what they are saying, and then find what it is they want. At the same time, you need to be able to read product descriptions so that you can confidently answer a customer’s questions. Having an understanding of the merchandise can make the difference between closing the sale and missing out on a sale.
A High Level of Customer Service
When it comes to the retail industry, there is no question – customers tend to be fickle. If they feel another store offers better customer service, then that’s usually where they will go. What that means is that employers want to be sure they are offering the absolute highest level of customer service.
You will need to show that you are helpful, friendly, approachable, positive, and committed to making the customer satisfied and happy. Retail depends on repeat business and loyal customers, and a high level of customer service is usually the key.
Ability to Fill Out an Application with Ease
Of course, you won’t even get the opportunity to show off your skills if you don’t know how to fill out the job application properly. This is a chance for you to toot your own horn if you will and list all your skills and experience. It’s also a great time to let the employer see a part of your personality.
If you’re new to filling out a job application in the retail industry, it would be wise to download a couple of sample applications so you get an idea of what they look like. The Dollar General is a very popular retail chain, which just so happens to be growing at the moment. You can find a copy of its application on the Job Application Review site so that you can see what employers are asking for. You can then work on coming up with confident responses.
Understand How Your Skills Translate
Knowing what retailers are looking for when it comes to employees will help you to figure out how your own skills and experience will translate in the industry. Once you know what employers are looking for, it makes it a lot easier for you to apply to positions and be prepared to answer questions in an interview.
