| For those who work in sales, how quickly do you adjust?I've never worked in sales, retail. or customer service before and want to now, but there are still many things that concern me such as people buying a ton of stuff, paying in change, asking me questions I wont be able to answer, and the long lines. I've always been worried about these issues. Any advice on how to overcome this or is it that I am not suited for those jobs?
Asked By: riverman - 1/22/2012 |
I have worked in department stores from the time I was 16-20, and then I worked a few years in a factory. For the past 33 years I have been working in a major union grocery store, and I will be there until I retire.
I can give you a list of things you should do in a grocery store, you can adapt it to other types of stores you work for. When I started with the company I am with now I was very shy, but I just put that behind me, and decided this is my job, and I want it, and I ran my tail off as a courtesy clerk, and I work hard as a checker.
1. Know the store policy, and keep it.
2. Don’t be late, don’t’ work overtime unless you are asked.
3. If you are just starting with the company, if they call you on your day off and want you to come in, go in. Or have caller ID and just don’t answer the phone, but being new, you might want to make them happy until you build up your reputation of being dependable.
4. Each manager has their own pet peeves, learn what they are and do your best at what they are watching for. Plus your regular duties.
5. Don’t gossip, as easy as it is to do, it will catch up with you, just do your work, that is what you are there for.
6. While waiting on the customer, don’t get caught up in your own conversation, and keep it to a minimum if you are in a check stand, you do have lines in a check out, and if you are on the floor you have work to do out there too. What they want us to do is greet the customer, make a little small talk, thank them by last name, offer a carry out and make a parting comment, like have a good day Mrs. Smith.
7. Greet every customer you pass and ask them h*********u? Are you finding everything all right?
8. Observe the good workers and learn from them. We have secret shoppers, and I usually get a 10 on my shops, which is a perfect shop.
9. Know the promotions in your store, go over the weekly add too.
10. Have a good attitude; drop your personal problems at the door. If someone constantly complains to you, just smile, don’t get involved, you want a paycheck more than a friendship. I am not saying having friends is not important, I have great friends at work, but I am not the only long time worker who feels that we are there for our paycheck.
11. Respect others, especially your boss, he can fire you.
12. If you are union, pay your dues, or you won’t have a job.
13. Don’t text while at work, I can’t believe people do this and some of the courtesy clerks text while at the end of a check stand, they were warned, but some got fired. And some thought they were being sneaky, and they got fired, just don’t’ text or use your cell phone at work. I only use mine to see the time when I go on my breaks, or I use it on my breaks only.
14. Be honest don’t steal.
15. Most important, treat your customers with respect, they are your bread and butter. As soon as they come into your area, all attention is on them. If they have a question and you can’t answer it, don’t brush them off, tell them you will find out the answer for them, and ask management, or customer service.
16. Relax, and enjoy your job, I love working in my grocery store, and I enjoy the community I work in and I get to know the customers and I address them by their name when I see them.
Answered By: SH - 1/22/2012 |