Applying for retail without experience. CV tips?

Moonpixie

Hi

I have worked in education for the past 15 yrs and I'm desperately seeking a change but hitting brick walls. I'm fortunate that I can work P/T and want to try and get another P/T job with a view to easing out of my current one.

A new fancy gift shop is opening in my city centre and they are presently recruiting for F/T and P/T staff. I popped them a quick message on FB asking if they consider people without recent retail experience (had a brief job when I was 17 in a card shop - 20 yrs ago), but they just said to send them my CV.

The only recent relevant thing I can put was that for a couple of years I got into making my own giftbags/boxes and selling them at vintage fairs and online, etc. It was mainly a self-funding hobby.

I'm sure I'm not young and shiny enough for what they'd be looking for, plus no proper experience. Just wondered if any tips to tweak my CV to send them? I do have very good customer service skills and I'm always very nice and friendly with people.

Any ideas much appreciated

Carfal

You don't say what role you had in education, but if, for example, you were a teaching assistant you would have lots of transferable skills, e.g. working in a team, flexibility, using your own initiative, English language and Numeracy, people skills, ICT, art/display skills, organisational skills...

Plus whatever you bring from your previous jobs, hobbies and interests. Good luck.

Moonpixie

Thank you for that Yes, I'm in a role similar to a teaching assistant. I agree with you, I do think there are lots of transferable skills, but never really seem to get considered for anything else.

Will give this a go anyway.

DCFC79

Good luck with it

shopbot

Have a think about how you can demonstrate that you are good with people, sociable and a team player. Also that you are responsible.

Maybe you've sung in a choir? Or coached a football team? Volunteered for a Charity?

If you have been a teaching assistant you've got relevant people experience. You've worked with children and adults. You've been able to explain things. You've learnt how to listen properly and communicate. You've been part of a team and you've had a responsible position.

The retail part they can teach you - it's harder to teach people skills. People either have them or they don't.

Good luck!

fluffypaws

Maybe make a statement in the opening paragraph - that as you are already experienced with helping people on a one to- one basis, and already have a keen interest in gifts and crafts, so would be delighted to explore a new opportunity combining the skills and experience you have already.

to be honest retail to me, is a lot more about common-sense. Maybe in a fashion chain they care more about looks, but for that type of role i doubt that really.

Moonpixie

fluffypaws wrote: »

Maybe make a statement in the opening paragraph - that as you are already experienced with helping people on a one to- one basis, and already have a keen interest in gifts and crafts, so would be delighted to explore a new opportunity combining the skills and experience you have already.

That's really good, thank you. Would it be best if I put that in the email rather than the CV?

I much prefer filling in applications (even though they are a chore) but I think you are able to tailor them better and portray your skills more effectively in the statement part, whereas on CV I just imagine they'd see 15yrs in the classroom. End of.

Anyway, the tips are great, thanks. I will get started asap.

fluffypaws

Moonpixie wrote: »

That's really good, thank you. Would it be best if I put that in the email rather than the CV?

I much prefer filling in applications (even though they are a chore) but I think you are able to tailor them better and portray your skills more effectively in the statement part, whereas on CV I just imagine they'd see 15yrs in the classroom. End of.

Anyway, the tips are great, thanks. I will get started asap.

i would tweak my CV to make the first statement sound like i am looking for opportunities to do that type of retail. But also be more formal about it as a cover letter via email. Kind of both really. I hope you get it! or at least an intervew

Moonpixie

Well, I have at least managed to get an interview for this, which is going to be 8.15pm tomorrow evening. I was told it is only going to be 15 mins long, so should be OK, hopefully.

Would be great to get a few part-time hours

BlueEyedGirl

Moonpixie wrote: »

Well, I have at least managed to get an interview for this, which is going to be 8.15pm tomorrow evening. I was told it is only going to be 15 mins long, so should be OK, hopefully.

Would be great to get a few part-time hours

Good luck, keep us posted how you get on!

an9i77

Could you volunteer in a charity shop to get some retail experience even if only a few hours a week?

Most charity shops are crying out for volunteers and it's a good way to get customer service merchandising and cash handling experiene