Chapter 1

Getting a Job in Big Box Retail

This chapter will explain how to get a job and move up in the retail business, when is the best time to apply, and where the best places to apply. (See Big Box & Specialty and List of Major Retailers at the end of this publication)

How to get a job in retail is closely tied to when to get a job in retail, so pay close attention. The best time to apply is during the months of May, August and November. These months are the first months of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter of the fiscal year. It's the time when companies in general get their new budget. May is the start of the Spring/Summer selling period, the second quarter.  And the retail industry is coming off the lowest selling period of the year.

Best hiring times:                  Worst hiring times:

April                                       December

May – start 2^nd qtr                January

June                                      February – start 1^st qtr

July                                        March

August – start 3^rd qtr

September

October

November – start 4^th qtr (Temp. positions)


The slowest selling months of the year are February and March. Oddly, though, January is part of a traditionally slow fourth quarter but still part of the busiest and most profitable selling periods of the year because it includes the Christmas Season. However, after the Christmas selling season is over business falls off dramatically. That's when layoffs occur and hours are cut, thus, a really bad time to try to get hired.The slowest selling months of the year are February and March. Oddly, though, January is part of a traditionally slow fourth quarter but still part of the busiest and most profitable selling periods of the year because it includes the Christmas Season. However, after the Christmas selling season is over business falls off dramatically. That's when layoffs occur and hours are cut, thus, a really bad time to try to get hired.

Another atypical month is November, which starts the Christmas selling season, and is by far the worst time to get hired. Interestingly, though, November may not be a good job seeking month for your purpose simply because it’s usually a temporary Christmas season position. But, sometimes Christmas season associates are kept on. So applying in this month is up to you.

The Best Time to Apply

In the spring, however, at the beginning of the second quarter, inventories rise; new budgets are loaded; and sales start to increase. Therefore, there is a need for more personnel. This is the time to apply. Start applying at the beginning of April. The process usually takes from 2-3 weeks from application to the actual hiring.

August starts the back-to-school selling season and there is usually a spike in sales at the same time students are going back to school. High school students who were working full-time for the summer cut back to part-time. Also, many college students go back to school leaving the job market and work force altogether.

• August – Spike in Sales
• High School Students Cut Back
• College Students Cut Out

Where to Apply

Compile a list of at least 30 major retail companies that are located near you. You can get a sufficient list from the Internet, or your local phone book. Stick to the larger operations; the companies that have at least thirty stores nationwide.

Ninety percent of all retail operations have an application process online. Don't just apply at one or two companies; apply at twenty. This will greatly increase your odds of being hired. Remember - April, August and October are good application months.

Also keep in mind, how you fill out an application for a job is crucial. Even if penmanship is not an issue online, thoroughness is. So answer all questions carefully and completely.

Am I Ready?

Here are the secrets to being retained as an employee.

The First Five Secrets:

1. Never be late for work.
2. Never call in sick.
3. Follow all the rules to the letter.
4. Take on extra work and hours if asked to.
5. When given an assignment, do it quickly, and come back and ask for another assignment.

Of the five secrets I’ve listed, the most important are the first two. Coming to work on time and not calling in sick (perfect attendance) will be your most goal-oriented traits. This is decisive, and what managers put into your permanent record of who you are professionally! When managers evaluate your performance these two things are vital. It means that you are dependable.

Dependability is a most desired quality that all companies want in an associate. It’s what they look for when appraising management candidates. To make you a manager they have to know that you will be there on a snowy winter morning, at 7:00 am to open the store for waiting employees.

One way to be kept on after the Christmas season is simply to ask. Ask if you can be part of the year-end inventory staff. Remember, considering you as a keeper starts with management checking your attendance, asking other managers about your overall performance. Also, if you were ringing cash registers, they’ll check to see if you had shortages or overages.

If none of these things seems to get you retained, just have a little patience. You will definitely be on the short list. Call twice a month to remind them that you’re still interested in being considered.

Keep in mind that it's easier to get a part-time job in retail than a full-time position. The reasons are that the company spends less money paying part-timers whose hours are more flexible. Also, part-timers are paid fewer benefits than full-timers. So, when applying for part-time work, stress that you will work nights and weekends. Those are the times when they really need people who are the most flexible!

Now once you're on staff permanently, either part-time or full-time, continue your mission using these additional five secrets:

6. Double (reaffirm) your efforts in following the first five rules when trying to be kept on.
7. Remember that the customer is #1, and always treat them that way.
8. Continue with perfect attendance; this is crucial.
9. Learn all that can be learned in the store and about the company.
10. Work in as many areas as possible (in hard-lines and soft-lines) so that you become fully oriented to all the key areas. This makes you more indispensable.

One of the most intimidating phenomenons about retail management is the work schedule. The schedule is unlike any other industry. It's not a 9-5, Monday-Friday job. I’ve seen more college graduates wash out of retail management on that issue alone. So hang in there!




More To Come...