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Permalink Reply by Jack Bauer on January 16, 2013 at 9:10pm

Internal obstacles vary, so that first question is better thrown back at you.  What is the most important internal obstacle that you must overcome?

Persuasion, communication and 'selling yourself' are all roughly the same skill.

Generally, you need to convince the owner that you're trustworthy, professional, and you'll make him money.

JB

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Permalink Reply by Chris B on January 17, 2013 at 3:29pm

My accounting professor was telling our class that from what she has heard, most professionals want someone who can use "critical thinking".  Being able to communicate clearly has helped me a lot.  As long as your honest, charismatic, trustworthy, and have good communication skills you should be set.

Remember in retail, costumer service is their number one priority.  Make sure your interviewer sees how nice and understanding you can be.

If you are stopping yourself from applying because your afraid of being denied then you have already failed yourself.  If you get denied at least you can say you tried.

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Permalink Reply by Karl Helweg on January 17, 2013 at 4:33pm

I used to own a similar business where I received many applications and interviewed many potential employees.  Being pointlessly nervous during an interview was easy for me to forgive since it showed that they really wanted the job.

What I wanted but never really heard was: "This is how I am going to bring you business and make you money."  Such as knowing 50 people who really want to buy things here but don't know it yet.  Really understands suggestive selling.  Can demonstrate focus, enthusiasm, and directed energy at least during the interview.

The next best would be how they planned to save the shop money like: "I have always fantasized about catching a shoplifter and calling my uncle, deputy Billy-Bob, to prevent them or anyone who knows them from ever considering shoplifting again."  OK, really I would have loved an employee with a background in taxes, could draw a good sale sign, knew the product, was liked by the customers, or a good website designer.

What I usually had to settle for was someone who could do basic business math.  Was able to tell when the cash register gave the wrong figure.  Could count out change.  Would clean the shop and keep things looking professional.  Showed up to work responsibly.   I put two simple sales math problems on the application and I kid you not but maybe 6 out of a 100 got them right. 

I still have a box of application in storage that people just cannot believe until they read them then they don't know whether to laugh or cry.  In other words, cheer up and have some confidence because you probably have a lot less serious competition for the job than you think. 

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Permalink Reply by Johnny on January 22, 2013 at 12:40pm

For me lack of confidence, I often think wow am I over my head with this job? Is the learning curve to steep?

My main things would be worrying I'm not qualified for the job. The other would be I absolutely hate everything about a new job, feeling out coworkers, not being sure of yourself in your duties or even just in the culture of the workplace or thing like how long a lunch should I take. I hate not being sure of myself. I like a job when I can go in and do my stuff without help and feel confident I know what I'm doing. With a new job for the first few days, weeks, months your clueless and I hate that.

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