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retail slave
I've always wondered whether working in a bookstore would be a good back-up job for this librarian type. Now I get to find out -- yesterday, I accepted a seasonal retail position at the new local Borders. My main concern is that I'll hate being on my feet all day. If I'm mostly walking around, it should be okay, but standing in one place for long periods of time can get to me. But I'm also excited, because I'm going to be surrounded by books all day. Oooh, books.
It doesn't pay terribly well (but then what retail job does). The hourly rate is around minimum wage, and I asked for only about 30 hours a week (mostly to leave enough time for real job hunting), so I won't exactly be getting rich here. But it will help make up some of the cash gap. T is a little dubious about the whole exercise. He pointed out that I was making more doing nothing when I was still getting unemployment. While this is true, the unemployment ran out in October, so that well is dry. If I wanted more money, I'll have to go earn it. Also, I think I need to get back in the habit of working. Maybe part-time employment will ease me back into it.
I start training tomorrow, and then we'll see.
It doesn't pay terribly well (but then what retail job does). The hourly rate is around minimum wage, and I asked for only about 30 hours a week (mostly to leave enough time for real job hunting), so I won't exactly be getting rich here. But it will help make up some of the cash gap. T is a little dubious about the whole exercise. He pointed out that I was making more doing nothing when I was still getting unemployment. While this is true, the unemployment ran out in October, so that well is dry. If I wanted more money, I'll have to go earn it. Also, I think I need to get back in the habit of working. Maybe part-time employment will ease me back into it.
I start training tomorrow, and then we'll see.
Tips from a Borders Manager
Rule #1: Wear good shoes. I can't stress this enough. Shoes will make or break your book-retail career. Even if you do, the first few days, you'll think you're gonna die. Your feet WILL get used to it. Trust me. Don't wear sneakers, they're too bendy. You need something with support but firm, like Doc Martens or Eastlands (my personal shoe of choice for book retail). Clogs are also recommended, the kind that nurses and/or chefs wear.
Rule #2: Pay attention to your trainer. You're a Bryn Mawr brainiac so it might seem like he or she is going too slow, but there's lots of stuff to remember.
Rule #3: Don't be late. Be ten minutes early for each shift.
Rule #4: Get to know the booksellers. They can help you. There will be times up at the cash register when you'll find yourself needing to look something up (which you probably won't be trained how to do, being a seasonal cashier) and they can bail you out. Also, observing the exact degree to which they are being run ragged with holiday shoppers will make you LOVE your just-ring-the-sales job.
Rule #5: Get good at wrapping things fast.
Rule #6: DON'T CALL OFF. I can't stress this enough, either. Especially being a temp. Don't call off unless you're on death's door.
Rule #7: Make sure your manager knows that you've available and that they can call you if someone ELSE calls off (that is, if you ARE available). They'll love you for this.
Cashiering can be fun, but it'll be as fun as you make it. It's the best when you talk to the customers and your co-workers and use the opportunity to plus-sell items that you like and can recommend.
Oh, and another thing.. you WILL be required to ask people if they want to receive the Borders email newsletter. Remember that the store and you personally will be judged on your percentage of email collection. For cashiers, it's one of the only quantifiable performance measures. It's all in how you ask. If you say "Would you like to receive the Borders online newsletter?" you'll always get a "no." I had one of the highest collection rates in our store, and you know how I did it? I just asked "Can I get your email address?" Half the time people just give it without asking why. Then if they give it, THEN you can tell them about the newsletter and what it is (and they'll be getting lots of coupons in it...the coupons are the selling point).
Please email me if you have questions about The Big B. lsummers at cas dot org.
Re: Tips from a Borders Manager
I may go shoe shopping this afternoon.
Re: Tips from a Borders Manager
(also a veteran of holiday rush cashiering, only I was a good 10 years younger)
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Something to ponder.
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Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas this year?
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The nice thing is, since you love books, it'll be a lot easier to be nice to the customers. I mean, even if they're clueless ("I'm looking for this book, I think it's about, uhhhh"), at least they're trying to buy books for someone to read!