So I just applied to TJ Maxx, a clothing store near my house, and I'm pretty sure I'll be accepted.

I'm super excited, finally I will have money. It's pretty cool knowing I won't have to rely on my mom everytime I want something as simple as a movie ticket.

But at the same time, I'm a little nervous. Most of you guys have work experience. Any tricks of the trade, or tips for working at a clothing store, or just in general?

thedeadhaji

39489 Posts

July 17 2008 23:04 GMT

smile, interact well with your coworkers and if you make mistakes be upfront and sincere about it. Work hard, look and act clean, and customers WILL be assholes but just let it slide and be easygoin~

Southlight

United States11768 Posts

July 17 2008 23:08 GMT

I know this has nothing to do with the blog, but because I'd just looked at the Dr. Horrible thread (http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=75286), for a moment I thought I saw "DoctorHorrible" applying for a job at an evil corporation.

Hitokiri

Spain306 Posts

July 17 2008 23:09 GMT

Don't fuck with Fica. But you should usually just be nice to costumers (because they'll whine so much your manager's ears will bleed). Follow instructions you receive, know where everything is so you lose less time searching; don't steal money from your employers. Also, enjoy yourself : -)

micronesia

United States24799 Posts

July 17 2008 23:11 GMT

Probably decent for a first job (that is, unles you are 27 or something lol)

If you do any cashier related work, the skills you gain will pay off for the rest of your life.

Otherwise, the experiences you receive in retail will allow you to understand the nature of the beast... believe me I know from my first job.

United States2921 Posts

July 17 2008 23:31 GMT

On July 18 2008 08:04 thedeadhaji wrote:
smile, interact well with your coworkers and if you make mistakes be upfront and sincere about it. Work hard, look and act clean, and customers WILL be assholes but just let it slide and be easygoin~

infinity21

Canada6683 Posts

July 17 2008 23:43 GMT

I'm making like 8 grand this summer but all of it's going to my university

BaDayOri

Korea (South)469 Posts

July 17 2008 23:47 GMT

im 17 and have yet to apply for my first job

Manifesto7

Osaka27178 Posts

July 18 2008 00:05 GMT

Just be earnest and sincere in doing a good job. Dont slack off just because others are doing it. Learn where everything is in the store so you dont waste time. Know your rights as an employee so you dont get taken advantage of. Have fun.

il0seonpurpose

Korea (South)5638 Posts

July 18 2008 00:27 GMT

#10

don't steal stuff

AcrossFiveJulys

United States3612 Posts

July 18 2008 00:38 GMT

#11

What mani said, and also don't try to be a hero. Try to do exactly what you're told and what the store policy says. Most importantly, get along with your coworkers and appear competant.

Lemonwalrus

United States5465 Posts

July 18 2008 00:42 GMT

#12

Don't let a run of bad customers get to you, and all in all just be honest and work hard.

Raithed

China7078 Posts

July 18 2008 02:43 GMT

#13

im scared to work lol.

SayaSP

Laos5494 Posts

July 18 2008 03:10 GMT

#14

On July 18 2008 11:43 Raithed wrote:
im scared to work lol.

Cmon you gotta do it sometime

ahrara_

Afghanistan1715 Posts

July 18 2008 03:13 GMT

#15

Ya, if you want to stand out in retail take the initiative and really work those sales... get enough notice and you can get bumped up to manager. The pay is usually much better. Although TBH, I don't understand why anyone would do retail when there are so many other options with better pay that actually teach useful skills...

Did you only apply to one place? Don't get your hopes up too high. Retail stores get like a dozen application for every open position. Your best chance is to apply to a lot of places.

Long term advice: Never get suckered into taking a full time job without pay because they call it an "internship". *sighhhh*

MyStiC_Chaos

United States499 Posts

July 18 2008 03:27 GMT

#16

Lol, there's a TJ Maxx near me too.

Just be polite and don't be nervous like everyone said. It should be a smooth job.

Good luck!

thoraxe

United States1449 Posts

July 18 2008 03:34 GMT

#17

here's a tip: save the money, that way, when the time comes, you won't have to ask your mother to buy the movie ticket for you.

itzme_petey

United States1400 Posts

July 18 2008 04:24 GMT

#18

you should apply to bestbuy or some type of direct sales job where you approach and customer and try to make them buy something. clothing retail is a lot of organizing and folding. not too many useful skills to be learned there.

DoctorHelvetica

United States15034 Posts

July 18 2008 04:33 GMT

#19

On July 18 2008 13:24 itzme_petey wrote:
you should apply to bestbuy or some type of direct sales job where you approach and customer and try to make them buy something. clothing retail is a lot of organizing and folding. not too many useful skills to be learned there.

They don't really hire teenagers to do work that direct I think.

I know at Circuit City they don't have any direct salespersons under 18.

BrutalMenace

United States1237 Posts

July 18 2008 04:38 GMT

#20

on job applications try not to sound too professional if you're applying to retail places such as grocery store/food/bev/ bestbuy / walmart etc. People want to hire people that are A)Cool to work with B) Gets the job done C) shows up for work.

Be very confident in what you do. Dont work hard work Smart. I suggest grocery stores because its very easy to get hired they have tons of positions open and people filtering in-out.

Hypnosis

United States2061 Posts

July 18 2008 04:56 GMT

#21

On July 18 2008 08:47 BaDayOri wrote:
im 17 and have yet to apply for my first job

nub, i got my first job when i was 15.!! AT A SKATING RINK LOL!! easiest shit ever

to the OP: what i have learned is that you should just never fuck up. Clean records are so helpful when you get new jobs, and if the people like you at your old job its just smoother transitioning. For example I worked at that skating rink and now i got a new job the first day i applied for it (Pac Sun) because i can honestly say the people at my old job really like me. That and i have a legit resume, which most people do not.

Be chill, work hard and get to know your bosses, it will make your job very enjoyable. And having a job gives you so much spending money its ridiculous.

Mickey

United States2606 Posts

July 18 2008 04:57 GMT

#22

Pretty much. Customers WILL get on your nerve like Haji said. Try your best, and REMEMBER it's your first job, so don't be to hard on yourself when you make mistakes. I was WAY to hard on myself when I was working at Target.

EDIT: God I fucking hated that job, and getting fired from my 1st job after 2 months really lowered my self esteem. Especially since I worked my ass off, unlike most people who half assed it. This thread made me depressed =/ Uhhh. I'm gonna go play Quake 4.

calgar

United States1277 Posts

July 18 2008 05:25 GMT

#23

I got my first job at 18, just put in my 2 weeks notice though since I'm not going to be working for college. It was alright I guess. I'd rather have free time and enjoy college though.

XDawn

Canada4040 Posts

July 18 2008 06:05 GMT

#24

awesome - good luck on that bro - just ask the people already working there if you need any help or if you don't know

I applied to many places this summer
I got fucked over because.... well an issue came up
If it didn't, I would've had a job in late april/early may and would've made a lot but since it did....
well anyways ya.
I got a call from Guess for an interview. I hope it goes well for me too.

Dknight

United States5225 Posts

July 18 2008 11:38 GMT

#25

Working with the public is why I now work the graveyard shift.

Best of luck ^_^

Sr18

Netherlands1141 Posts

July 18 2008 15:19 GMT

#26

Just give it your best shot. Keep a positive attitude towards both co-workers and costumers. Enjoy yourself.

TechniQ.UK

United Kingdom391 Posts

July 18 2008 20:59 GMT

#27

go on strike at every opportunity and stand up for workers rights.

3 Cheers for socialism.

Elric

United Kingdom1327 Posts

July 18 2008 23:41 GMT

#28

Congrats OP!

I don't know your exact age but I think it seems to safe to assume that lots of people your age will be bumming around over summer, too lazy to think about even applying for anything (I talk from exp..). So it's great to have done what you have already.

Even if it's TK Maxx (and I'm saying that relative to the no doubt the much better jobs you will have in the future), I hope you will gain learn lots of things from it. Not just work-related things, but everything in general about having a job, being that little bit more independent, interacting with lots of strangers etc. So.. just milk the experience as much as you can, as it can only help you out later in life!

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