Getting A Retail Job

[starrynight]

I want to work at a clothing store, but I have only worked at a box office and a regular office in a workstudy position. However, I did get paid for the office job, but it wasn't like I was Working Girl or something. lol It was only part time workstudy.
Anyway the store told me to submit my resume even though they have no applications right now; like they are always hiring. I have a good personality and love clothes, but my resume has no retail experience. I always feel like I have a better chance with an interview. My question is what are the odds that they won't hire me because I have no store experience? You gotta start somewhere, but nobody ever gives me the start! ;{ I get pissed because all these kids who probably don't have a college degree or are still in high school get hired and not me! Neither Macy's nor Kohl's hired me. Kohl's never even called me back for an interview! I really want to get it this time with a store I like! Anybody had this issue and finally get the job?

[ugarachel82]

You really aren't missing much! Retail blows like nothing else.

[starrynight]

Actually I think my office job of boredom, bitches, and grey walls was worse. At least I could go around hanging up clothes and not being stuck at a desk.

[NewMrs.]

My question is what are the odds that they won't hire me because I have no store experience? You gotta start somewhere, but nobody ever gives me the start! ;{ I get pissed because all these kids who probably don't have a college degree or are still in high school get hired and not me! Neither Macy's nor Kohl's hired me. Kohl's never even called me back for an interview! I really want to get it this time with a store I like! Anybody had this issue and finally get the job?

I worked in fast food and in several retails jobs when I was in college, and I have several thoughts:

1.) When Macy's or Kohl's asked about your availability, did you tell them that you would be available at any time or did you tell them that you would only be available at certain times? Many places expect you to be available any time they need you, which usually means evenings and weekends.

2.) After I had retail experience under my belt, I still applied for retail jobs for which I didn't even get interviews - and I too had a college degree at the time. At the time, I was already working one job and thought that I would apply for a second job to get extra money. My thought on this was that the store either didn't want me because I was over-educated, or the store didn't like the fact that I already had another job and therefore my availability was limited.

3.) Connected to thought #2: You mentioned that you get pissed because Macy's or Kohl's may have hired people with no college degree before they would hire you. Maybe they didn't hire you because you had a college degree. They may not have wanted to take the risk of having an employee who may have an attitude because they have a degree. (I'm not saying that you would.)

4.) Some of the high school kids that may have gotten hired over you may have prior customer service experience that you don't have. When I was in high school, it was very common for my classmates to get jobs as soon as they turned 16. Most of them started by working in fast food. By the time they were 17, they already had a year's worth of experience working with the public, and they were able to get retail jobs at the mall.

My advise is to keep looking. If one store won't hire you for whatever reason, another store may. Each store has their own reasons for making the hiring decisions that they do. Honestly, if you really need a job, you might want to consider applying for fast food jobs. These aren't the best jobs in the world, but you said yourself that "you got to start somewhere," and these jobs are a good way to get customer service experience. Also, hardly anybody wants these jobs, so they're easier to get.

Edit: Sorry, I missed the part where you said that you previously worked at a box office.

[Vikarious]

What store is it??

If its a high end place I can see having troubles getting in, but if its just a regular store like the Gap or something I can't understand why they wouldn't hire you (except for the availablility like mentioned).

I've worked at Target a couple of times before - they were ecstatic to have adults that could work the late hours.

Maybe the places just weren't hiring at the time??

[lostnotyetfound]

I think some places might be a little leery of hiring someone with a college degree because they figure that person isn't looking to stay there long term. Retail typically doesn't pay very well and they probably feel that someone with a degree would be taking that job as a filler position until they find something better.

If you have completely open availability that will help you to get a retail position. They especially need people who can work nights and weekends. I'm going through a period of unemployment and applied to a ton of retail positions with a completely open availability. I got calls from a few places. I worked at a grocery store during college and for 6 months at Disney in Orlando.

It also could be that they just don't have any openings right now. Have you tried following up with a phone call? That will at least show you are interested.

[Millenial]

i just got a retail job about a month ago, i have a degree, go to grad school, and they were really hesitant to hire me. personally i don't plan on staying for long and it is a filler job. however i was straightforward that i would stay as long as possible, and if i decide to leave, then that's their problem. neither side is forced to deal with each other, as it's non-union slave labor.

[winneythepooh7]

Maybe look at a higher-end, privately owned store. Or a more upscale department store. (ie. Bloomies, Nordstrom).These seem like the places where there are more "career salespeople" vs. the kids who work at places like Kohl's and Tar-zhay.