Be careful what you say
Christine is a mature-age university student shopping for a part time retail job. She says that employers appear interested in her until she mentions her studies "and then they just seem to go cold".
Too often employers hire based on their fears rather than hopes. The retailer in Christine's case might have hired someone doing part time study before and encountered problems with reliability, flexibility or punctuality. Or that person could have lorded it over other staff who were focused squarely on a retail career. Christine could emphasise anything she has done that would dispel these fears such as a strong record of reliability in a past job. There is no need to wait to be asked if you feel interest dropping when university is mentioned.
Also be clear about what you expect to gain from your experience in retail. If you consider it's just a job to make ends meet then that is probably how you will come across to an employer. Chances are, someone with more passion and an appreciation that retail offers the chance to learn vital customer service skills as well as teamwork and basic business skills will get the job instead.
It's also a good idea to pick an area of retail that matches your academic interest or a personal interest. For example, I love a particular toyshop that stocks educational toys because the retail assistants all seem to be uni students studying science. They know their subject and make shopping a joy. The same could be said for a TAFE fashion student working in a dress shop or a future horticulturalist working at a nursery. Or anyone with a love of books, food, or music working in a matching area of retail.
By Kate Southam, Editor of careerone.com.au
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