I got my very first job at Target in 1989, the day after my 16th birthday. I was so excited, and I was going to be making a whopping $3.70 an hour as a cashier. I worked there for five years, working my way up through Customer Service, being trained to work at the jewelry counter, food service (YUCK) and just about anything else they would let me do. I was their go-to person, and was able to help out in any area of the store they needed me to. Over the years, I was rewarded with small raises every so often, and ended up doubling my pay by the time I had quit. Yes, people we’re talking $7.40 an hour! Can I get a WOOT???????!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
After spending five years in retail though, I swore I would never do it again. I disliked having to work nights, weekends, and holidays. I absolutely hated the rude customers and being treated like a second-class citizen. It was crappy pay and I would come home exhausted after being on my feet for hours at a time.
After painting such a STELLAR picture of my experience all those years ago, you’ll be shocked to learn that I have rejoined the retail ranks and gotten myself a part-time job. A RETAIL JOB. We have some big expenses looming on the horizon early next year, so with that and Christmas coming, I decided to try the part-time thing out and see how it goes. This time, though, instead of Target, I opted for a high-end department store.
When I went to interview for the job, I figured it would be a piece of cake. Can’t ANYONE get a job in retail? Sheesh! It’s like the easiest job in the world to get, isn’t it? Just like a grocery sacker, it doesn’t take a lot of experience to get a job in retail. But apparently in today’s economy, I was actually in competition for the job with other people! I had to step up my game if I wanted this part-time job making 1/3 of what I make at my full-time job. (Yes, ONE-THIRD. People in retail are grossly underpaid. Sad, isn’t it?)
Anyways, during the interview I was given the opportunity to choose between a few different departments in the store to work in. I carefully thought about each one, weighing the pros and cons in my head, while trying not to laugh during the interview:
Mens Suits & Business Wear
Pros: Probably the neatest department of the store. Professional customers, higher-end clientele.
Cons: Having to measure men for suits. Some of those men might be men I work with at my full-time job, and some of those men might want to get measured just for the pleasure of um, “gettin’ measured.” (Um, ICK.)
Fragrances
Pros: None that I could think of.
Cons: I hate perfume, I hate the smell of perfume, and I hate the thought of having the spray other people with perfume. End of story.
Intimates
Pros: I have boobs and lady parts so I know about intimate apparel.
Cons: Having to measure people for bras kinda creeps me out. Having to measure old lady boobs or someone with really bad B.O. really creeps me out. And if someone tried to return anything that had been worn I would not be able to control my gag reflex. (Believe me, I have Target Customer Service stories you would NOT BELIEVE.)
COACH Purses
Pros: Purses… they are kinda “my thing.” I own Coach purses and wallets so I know about them (Outlet stores, FTW!)
Cons: Really, the only people that come into the Coach department are the snobby people that buy the purses, people that wish they could, or people that want to steal them.
Childrens Clothing
Pros: I’m a mom. I know children’s clothing. I’ve shopped in this store enough times to know where things are. I know their sales, and they have a huge selection there. Probably one of the best children’s departments in town.
Cons: Because of their sales and their selection, it is a BUSY department. It is MESSY, and it is a lot of work.
Children’s department it is, then!! I’ve only been there a couple weeks now, and I can actually say that while I come home tired and my feet hurt, I really do enjoy working there. I like the extra money and I know how to treat people. I’ve shopped enough times to know how I would want to be treated and trust me, I know customer service inside and out. I’ve shared horror stories with you before on poor service I’ve received at places. Bottom line, I am good at what I do because I treat people how I would want to be treated.
So far, so good.
