Tips for Your First Convenience Store Job

What is it like to work at a convenience store? Well, I googled this very topic before I started my job, and I couldn't find any advice...and boy, I wish I could have. So now I'm here to help you out with your very first convenience store job! I don't work for a large chain like Wilco Hess or Shell, rather, I work for a small, mom-and-pop business, but I can still help you out a little bit.

-Get used to snippy customers. The phrase that the customer is always right is NOT always true. Sometimes, customers will argue with you about everything, from the prices, to why-can't-I-use-the-restroom (when the store has a strict no public restrooms policy). I have worked in restaurants as a waitress for most of my adult life, so I thought I was used to customers, but I guess it's a little different when they only have to deal with you for a minute or two, instead of for their whole meal, because believe me, in a convenience store, customers can sometimes show their you-know-what. If there is a manager available and the customer is being unreasonable, sometimes a simple, "I can let you speak to my manager" will cause them to calm down, but if that isn't an option, the best phrase I have learned to use is, "I just work here. I don't have anything to do with the prices (or restroom policy, or whatever). I'm sorry. You can come back at 6:00 (or whatever time) and speak to a manager or owner about it." Always be polite, but you don't have to deal with overly rude behavior or obscene language. If the customer begins acting irrationally, it is ok to tell him that you will call the cops if he refuses to leave. Sometimes this threat will be enough for the customer to leave, but if it is not, follow through with your threat.

-Get used to being on your feet. Make sure you rock a pair of sneakers, or even tread-safe work shoes. I wore a pair of ballet flats on my first day, and I thought I was going to die before the day was over.

-Learn what you are supposed to do, and make sure you do it. Sometimes current employees aren't as willing to train newbies as they should be, in fear of losing their own hours if you do better than them. Always make sure when you stock anything, in the drink cooler or on the shelves, that you rotate your stock. If one item goes out of date in February and another goes out of date in March, make sure everything that goes out of date in February is at the front of the shelf to be purchased first. This might be a no-brainer to some, but if you aren't used to this type of work, you might not even think about it. At the store I work at, the owners check the dates religiously and threaten to fire anyone who hasn't rotated the stock properly. This is because if items are hidden in the back and go out of date, the owners could lose money.

-Be very strict about checking IDs for alcohol or tobacco products. At the store I work at, I wasn't properly trained on this matter, but later on down the line I was told that if I got caught selling products to underage customers, I would get the fine. If the customer looks younger than 35, ask for an ID. (Some states and certain chains have their own rules about this, but this is the general rule that I have heard.) If they get an attitude with you, tell them you are only doing your job, and that you can't afford to lose your job just to sell them that pack of cigarettes. Sometimes the underage ones will try to be slick...I've heard excuses like, "I have tattoos, doesn't that work? You have to be 18 to get tattoos," "I come in here all the time! Come on!," "My buddy here is old enough, he'll tell you that I'm 21." Nope. Tattoos do not work as a state ID, and there are 10 year olds that come into the store every day, but that doesn't make them old enough to buy beer! Be diligent about checking IDs, and never let the customers make you feel guilty for doing your job. You are saving yourself a pricey fine, not to mention your job. They already know that they should have their ID if they are buying alcohol or cigarettes.

-Be safe. Most stores make an effort to make their employees and their stores safe against robbery, with cameras, alarms, etc. Always protect yourself. Try not to keep too much money in your drawer at one time -- your store should have a safe that you can drop money in, but you can't unlock. If a customer is acting suspiciously, and you are scared they are going to rob the store, call the police and have them ride by and check things out. If someone does try to rob you and threatens your life, I would suggest to hand over the money, especially if the person has a gun. Different stores have different policies on this, be sure to familiarize yourself with them, and always remember that your life is worth way more than any money in that cash register, and is more important than that job.

-Don't get stuck in the rut. Working in a convenience store can pan out to be a good career, if you stick with it long enough and make it into a management position, but honestly, if you stick around too long, you will find yourself stuck at close to minimum wage for the rest of your life, and not only that, but stuck working nights, weekends, holidays, and all for nothing. It is an okay job for someone who desperately needs one, but if you have an opportunity to find something better, I would absolutely suggest that you do it! In the meantime, congratulations on that new job...at least now you have a steady paycheck coming in!