Retail: Is it the Right Job for You?

With a limited job market for people who have not gone to college (or those who are fresh out of college and are having trouble finding a permanent career position), individuals are forced to apply to and work at jobs that are less than satisfying. There are many common job possibilities (if the positions are available) such as trash removal, housekeeping, retail, fast-food, etc. It is the purpose of this article to examine a job/career in retail and discuss the positive and negative consequences of such a decision.

When considering either a career or a job in retail, one needs to be aware of what to expect. While there are many differences between retail stores, there are many similarities as far as job description is concerned. In general, a retail sales associate will be expected to stand frequently, work diligently in a fast-paced environment, adhere to the dress code, persuasively "sell" the current promotion, and deal with customers politely until they are fully satisfied. Some other aspects of being a sales associate include working for a low wage, having a discount on merchandise, first notification of sales/clearance items, and hidden perks such as money in your paycheck for opening a charge account for a customer or selling coupon booklets.

For some people, working in retail is energizing. They get a thrill from the chaotic pace of holiday sales and don't mind being paid next to nothing for all their hard work. Many of the people in this category are also very good at "selling" items to customers and therefore open many charge accounts and sell the current store promotion, which gives them the added advantage of extra money in their checks.

Others find retail overwhelmingly draining and exhausting. Standing for 8 hours of the day, 5 or more days a week, takes a toll on one's body in ways one never imagined. Sometimes these people, depending on their personalities, find themselves easily stressed and overwhelmed because of the job pressures and the often grumpy and dissatisfied customers. It is also impossible for a person to survive on their own financially (with bills) if they choose to work full-time in retail. 32 hours a week is considered full-time and that amount will rarely, if ever, go up. This causes a need for a second job, which will simply spread a person's resources and energy thinner than is humanly possible if he or she wants to be healthy and function well in everyday life.

So, before applying for a job in retail, think it over. Make sure you are able to handle a decent amount of stress and are not in dire need of a high income. Consider which type of retail you might be interested in. Department stores usually present more stress than a small drug store, for example. Also decide whether or not you can be an effective "people person," as these skills are necessary when it comes to sales. Good luck job hunting!