I need to get a part-time job for a few months and I'm thinking that I'll just get one in retail (there is no way in hell that I'll ever work in a restaurant again). I have a few questions for those of you who have done the part-time retail gig:
What stores would you recommend? (no AE or Talbot's, please). Are any really good or are any completely hellish?
Anyone ever worked for a department store (I'm thinking Nordies or Bloomies)
What about a jewelry store?
Any other thoughts? I have access to just about every store since the mall is King of Prussia.
I think some place like Urban or Anthro would be fun. Or what about a boutique? About a year ago I had a very part time gig at a local boutique and loved it! We didn't have any strict corporate rules and could dress really fun and even wear the accessories or any layering piece in the store (kind of like live maniquins ). And I thought the clients were more fun to work with than a basic chain store, make sense? We could put outfits together, etc for them and they were very open to our help/suggestions.
I think some place like Urban or Anthro would be fun. Or what about a boutique? About a year ago I had a very part time gig at a local boutique and loved it! We didn't have any strict corporate rules and could dress really fun and even wear the accessories or any layering piece in the store (kind of like live maniquins ). And I thought the clients were more fun to work with than a basic chain store, make sense? We could put outfits together, etc for them and they were very open to our help/suggestions.
Yeah, I would love to work in one of the boutiques that is right nearby my work, but they are only open until 7, so it would be pointless since I can only get there by 5:30. The Anthropologie nearby is only open until 7, too (boohiss). But there is a Free People store opening soon, so maybe I'll check that out....
I have worked at Robinson's May, Marshall's, & Charlotte Russe. I think working at a department store gives you more options as to what you can get a discount on, the bad thing is that during the holiday season they had tons of sales, and often I had to work til midnight on weekend sales. I hated working at Marshall's. I really liked Charlotte Russe, only because my manager was really nice. I think the people you work with are the most important. Also I would never work on commission, I always hear it is vicious. My friend works at Banana Republic. You get a great employee discount, and also discounts at Gap and Old Navy. So I thought that was cool. Like if you work at express you also get bath & body works and maybe (limited?) discounts.
I've worked at Macy's and Lord & Taylor...it's sort of nice to work for a big company, because your discount applies to a lot more stuff, and they constantly have incentives & bonuses for things like pre-sales, etc.
The downside, though, is that they are really heavy on sales quotas (which were not a big deal when I worked at smaller stores). Also, if you work there during Christmas, they basically own you.
My sister is a retail manager at Hollister/A&F and loves it. She also loved working at Express, and like rocky said, your discount applies a lot of places -- Limited, B&BW, Victoria's Secret, etc.
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i worked at j crew part-time for three and a half years- they're a great company to work for, kinda laid-back even though it's corporate. (i haven't worked there in 3 or 4 years, but i imagine it's still a fun place to work.)
i worked at bcbg at kop and LOVED IT. i said i never wanted to work in retail, or in a mall. the reason i picked that store is because it's the only store that i would actually be ok with only shopping from them. also, there's really no folding (i see people totally wreck one of those HUGE piles of folded shirts at urban right after the sa has folded it, and i CRINGE). the discount is good, the pay for me was AMAZING, and the managers worked with my schedule completely. i had some friends who worked at bloomie's there and HATED it. customers would totally take advantage of the return policy and yell at the sa. also they said that fitting rooms would trashed and closings would be super late. the only other store that i could imagine working at would be a men's store that i make commission at. men are clueless for the most part with clothes and will buy whatever you put together for them, without much hassle. i also had a friend who had no experience selling jewelry, and worked at cartier. so maybe a jewelry store would be a nice change of scenery?! pm me if you want anymore details about bcbg.
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If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots