The Truth Behind The Department Store Employees | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post

The Truth About Working Retail

What it's really like working at a department store and the skills you have to have.

1
The Truth About Working Retail

Working at a popular department store seems like a fun and easy job. For some people, it might be, while for others, it could be an extremely difficult job to take on. As I applied for a job at JC Penny's, I was really just in desperate need of a job, and thought, "Well, I like clothes and shopping, so this should be fun, right?" Well, as far as training goes, it's not bad. Everything seems to be pretty self-explanatory. I think working with customers is the hardest part.

Working retail means you have to be people-friendly. For some people, that comes naturally. For me, it's a little more difficult. I tend to be quiet around people and talk as little as possible, but with this job, I'm simply not allowed to do that. I have to welcome every single person that comes into the store with a smile on my face. I have to willingly help people if they need it and attend to their needs even if I am in the middle of doing something. With most customers, I'm more than happy to help, but with many kind people, you come face-to-face with equally as many rude people. In these cases, I treat them as I do every other customer that comes into the store.

This job requires patience. And a lot of it. Not only do you have to stay calm when a customer is being a little too rude about not finding what they want, but you also have to help them in any way that you can that is within the boundaries of the store policies, even when you just want to walk away and not even listen to them anymore.

When not working with people, you must constantly be doing something around the store. There's always something that can be done, even when everything is already done. Working these 6-8 hour shifts becomes hard on your feet, back and neck, and not being able to wear tennis shoes doesn't help that. So, be prepared to be standing for hours on end with no time to sit and chill out.

Aside from all the downs, this job is genuinely pretty easy, and working with the people there is definitely a big plus to the job. I enjoy my job and compared to the other jobs I've had, that's not something I can say very often.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

177730
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

4752
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

450893
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22445
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments