All About Retail: Sales Associates, Management, etc.

[kasmslo]

I know that sometimes they will just look past your age.
Even if they do require over 18 apply anyways. I'm seventeen as well but in many cases if you are a mature, responsible individual they will reconsider. That was the case for me at least when I worked in retail.
I think as long as you aren't working with dangerous objects or machines in which they would be liable (under law) if you are under 18... it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[heyitsme]

Anyone work/worked for Ralph Lauren?

I'm not talking corporate, but just within the stores (sales). I am trying to find a retail sales job and would absolutely love to work at Ralph Lauren. The one in my city is hiring for full time and part time, so I applied online (about a week ago), but haven't heard anything yet. I called the store today to see if they were still hiring and the lady said yes and that I could bring a resume by and fill out an application (I didn't tell her I had already applied online). So I'm gonna do it in person as well. What does Ralph Lauren look for exactly? On their job requirements online it lists the basic qualifications. I have previous experience at Nordstrom and a lot of other sales/customer building type jobs. I'm just wondering why they didn't bite at my online application.

 

[pinkpalm]

I've been with corp. RL. You need to look the part-RL is selling a lifestyle and they want you to fit it. You'll get a small allowance for clothes, but even with the 35% discount, black label doesn't run cheap. SA's typically make 8% comission plus draw, 12.00/hr for the first 3 months and the 8.00 an hour after that. Extracurricular activities and social connections are important-SA's were hired with no experience if they were socially connected and could build a client book. Be prepared to call clients daily. Client care is key-as is espousing about selling a lifestyle to consumers. Look the part-fresh faced, all american and wealthy-obvious labels and trendiness will get you nowhere.

 

[heyitsme]

Thank you so much for the insight! I'm confident that if I can get an interview I will be hired. Maybe I'm a little too confident, haha...but I know how to sell and feel my experience, as well as my look will help me out. I wasn't too impressed with the sales girls when I was browsing through the store the other week. Some looked the part, but a couple just looked...eh. I was surprised by that.

Is there anything you can suggest that I emphasize or add to my resume to make it stand out? I have retail experience at Nordstrom, as well as previous sales jobs for a top fortune 500 company where I was top many times. I am new to the city (just moved here a month ago) so I don't have any social connections here (yet), but my resume also shows my previous social activities that I led and organized (charity work and such).

The only thing I'm not too sure about is my age. I'm 25, and feel as though RL may think I look/am too young. This could just be my own perception, though. I feel like a lot of the RL sales associates (as well as other luxury brands) have older associates. Not old or anything, but like 35 or so.

Any other advice you have would be great, thanks.

 

[pinkpalm]

The majority of RL'S most successful SA's are 22-30. The clothing may make them appear older...as it is essentially costuming. A college degree is not required but is highly desired-they don't necessarily want a salesman/.woman but a peer of ther clients, so high pressure sales tactics are out.

 

[LetThemEatCake]

I dont know if this is the place to put it, but it is Retail. sort of. I want to work for Neiman-Marcus so BAD, there is a brand new store opening in my area, and they need a Product Specialist in Cosmetics. I think I am TOTALLY the person for this position. Has anyone worked for them? I have been on their irecruitment site, and registered, It's just that I havent worked in a few years except at Urban Outfitters, however my experience with my own obsession with cosmetics (virtually having used EVERY brand NM sells) really gives me an edge. I just want any good tips anyone can offer. The store opens in two months!

 

[aldn]

Try and see if they're having open calls. Also. I don't know how nm works but at Nordstrom's the actual cosmetic companies control a lot of the positions at their respective counters. Maybe go to a NM that's already opened and talk to the person who already has your job there and see what they had to do.

 

[pinkpalm]

Apply online for as yet to open NM's. Just keep a check on their corp. site.

 

[LetThemEatCake]

^^Thank you. I just completed it today. It is a very long application and there are a ton of questions that are basically the same, just worded differently. I have some excellent references from previous employers, and just personal references, and so I am crossing my fingers and having hope they will contact me. I applied for the new store location, but I also put that I was willing to relocate to ANY of their other locations, minus Minneapolis and Denver...too cold for me. I know that in Troy where they have a store and in Illinois where they have three stores it gets super cold, and I've never even BEEN to Florida but they have about six stores there, so while I wouldnt MIND a transfer (it would actually be cool at this point in my life to move somewhere for a job) I hope I can get on with the new location near my home. I just feel SO passionate about this job, which I hope I can upgrade from quickly, first it would be a commission sales in Cosmetics, but I would love to use my aesthetician degree to become a skin care specialist for one of their cosmetic lines. I love their store SO MUCH. Anyhow, wish me luck, if you wish. B)

 

[aldn]

Best of luck!

 

[HannahA]

I actually just got a job at Lacoste as a temp for the US Open... it's pretty awesome already and I haven't even begun working! I love the people and the vibe and I would love to be a REGULAR there...

 

[Katie123]

i've already got a fashion internship on my cv and will prob get one a month from now but what i've discovered i really need to get into buying is shopfloor experience in london. question: should i lie on my cv when applying to shops and say i've worked in retail before in my hometown (rio, so they'd never check because we speak portuguese etc)?

i have a friend who applied to harrods lying that she worked in selfridges and got it! and another one that had no previous experience, didn't lie, and got in harvey nichols because they liked the fact that she's a fashion journalism student (like myself)

so should i lie and go to the big stores or just try my luck and apply with a CV that only has internships?

 

[BetteT]

I don't know about in the UK ... but in the US, they often continue to verify your references after you are hired (including foreign references), and if you are caught lying, you will be fired on the spot.

It's always better to tell the truth ... it can come back and bite you in the backside.

 

[Katie123]

yeah i never lie about these things, which is prob why i've not been hearing back from any internships i applied to but after seeing that my friend blatantly lied about selfridges i was quite impressed to see they didn't check. i'll just try any shop then, not just the department ones!

 

[PinkPrincess113]

I have a 4 year bachelors degree in business and I want to get into retail management..

Has anyone here started off as a manager? It seems as though you need 4-5 years management experience as well as retail experience. Would I have to start as a sales rep? I want to move out of my house but can't see myself doing a job I could have gotten in high school.

I have legal experience + customer service experience only.

 

[kathleen fasanel]

You say "being a sales rep" like that's a bad thing.

I kid, I kid.

At this point princess, let's forget about the job thing altogether. What do you imagine your life to be like ten years from now? How about 20 years? Describe your day to me. What kinds of challenges do you have? Who are you working with? Where? Who is your customer, your boss, etc?

Let me rephrase this. I am not a sales person. If I had to work in sales, I'd be so poor I'd end up begging on street corners and living in the homeless shelter. Retail is very low pay so to me, it's not worth it. Have you seen the site Retail Sucks? You'll be going through a lot of that in the beginning and me personally, I'd get weeded out well before I ever got to management. I know a lot of people love their retail jobs but it's not for me. I can't even stand having to go shopping much less having to sell it.

Now being a sales rep (selling lines from designers & manufacturers to wholesale buyers) could be kind of fun, a lot of work, a lot of hassle, but fun. And profitable. There'd be more travel if you like that and you'd largely be your own boss if you were an independent. Maybe you could look into something like that? There's a big tradeshow coming up the end of the month (Magic in Vegas) and people are always scrambling to find personable people to work their booths at the last minute. Not saying you'd make much beyond hourly but it'd give you a better idea of what goes on inside the industry and you'd get into the show for free. Otherwise, it's 200 bucks if you're not a buyer. Check out Craig's list or even, post your own ad saying you're willing to work in someone's booth. Have a photo and resume at the ready. Who knows, you may find something else fashion related that interests you.

 

[fashionismydrug]

Try applying as a visual or an admin position (depending on the company). That way, you can get your foot in working in the store without having to be a sales associate.

 

[BerlinBabe]

Over here (and I think in the US too) you don't get a discount if the brand is a concession within the store.

 

[PinkPrincess113]

thanks for the great advice kathleen.. i meant sales associate in the stores folding clothes all day, etc. - not my idea of a fun job but nothing is these days is it? my plan right now is to get into law school and go on from there.

i guess what i'm saying is i want to work in retail management for the time being, because i love business and i would much rather be doing the administrative things that store managers do whether it's interviews/training, scheduling, payroll, etc. but i know there is much more to that which includes labor and whatnot. but it's not something longterm for me, it's just what i want to do right now while i have time to have fun (meaning after law school i won't be working in retail anymore) .. but i also want something that pays a bit more since i have to support myself.

being a sales rep, the way you defined it, sounds more appealing and definitely more longterm. it sounds intriguing but it's not my type of thing with the traveling, etc. although i will look into that tradeshow for more info.

fashionismydrug- thanks, i've been looking at a lot of company websites and applying directly through them. sucks about the economy though since barely anyone is hiring!

 

[aldn]

I have a 4 year bachelors degree in business and I want to get into retail management..

Has anyone here started off as a manager? It seems as though you need 4-5 years management experience as well as retail experience. Would I have to start as a sales rep? I want to move out of my house but can't see myself doing a job I could have gotten in high school.

I have legal experience + customer service experience only.

Depends on where you want to be a manager. The degree should def. help.