Applying for a job with no retail experience?

I'm 17 years old and I want to apply for a part-time retail job that I can work on weekends and/or after school so I can make a bit of money and gain some experience.

However, the problem is I don't have any experience in retail whatsoever. I've only done work experience in a Digital Media company. I was wondering which places accept people with no experience so I can apply. Does anyone have any experience of having gained employment in the retail sector with very little previous experience?

Thank you in advance.

Reply 1

999tigger

19

Original post by Grade

I'm 17 years old and I want to apply for a part-time retail job that I can work on weekends and/or after school so I can make a bit of money and gain some experience.

However, the problem is I don't have any experience in retail whatsoever. I've only done work experience in a Digital Media company. I was wondering which places accept people with no experience so I can apply. Does anyone have any experience of having gained employment in the retail sector with very little previous experience?

Thank you in advance.

Do your CV and talk to them about transferable skills.
Teamwork, communication, dealing with customers or people, communication skills etc Know about what the role requires its alwats in the advert and then point to the fact you have those skills. It doesnt have to be in a work envronment.

One page CV.

http://www.help4teens.co.uk/Making-an-Application/Your-CV.html

Reply 2

Grade

OP

14

Original post by 999tigger

Do your CV and talk to them about transferable skills.
Teamwork, communication, dealing with customers or people, communication skills etc Know about what the role requires its alwats in the advert and then point to the fact you have those skills. It doesnt have to be in a work envronment.

One page CV.

http://www.help4teens.co.uk/Making-an-Application/Your-CV.html

Thanks.

Do you know which retailers accept people with little-to-no experience in retail so I can apply once I've done my CV?

Reply 3

999tigger

19

Original post by Grade

Thanks.

Do you know which retailers accept people with little-to-no experience in retail so I can apply once I've done my CV?

Fast food chains. Supermarkets. Plenty of high street shops.

They should all take them especially for Christmas jobs. Just do your research, do a good cv get it checked, make sure it sells your skills and then just put out a lot of applications. It helps if your CV emphasises the right skills for the sector you are applying to. Just be determined.

Original post by Grade

Thanks.

Do you know which retailers accept people with little-to-no experience in retail so I can apply once I've done my CV?

All the large high street stores do, there is a massive turnover in retail and by and large, unless you are in a high-end, specialist store, they will all take first timers.

The key is understanding you may not have worked in retail before, but that is not the same as having no relevant experience. You need to break it down into specific skills, as 999tigger suggests.