Retail Department Stores

[DreamfulSpirit]

I have been trying for 9 months now to get a full-time job. I have my bachelor's degree (its Education, General Studies...its an education centered degree...but comes with no teaching certification). I was originally studying to teach French in high school, however I had a change of heart, and although I still love education and have realized the kind of educational career I want, isn't in the classroom. So for this...I'm seriously looking into grad school.

So in the mean time...I've still been trying to find a job either doing educational things (I have a part-time job right now as a reading tutor to elementary students) or as some kind of administrative assistant.

However...I'm now forced to stoop to something I have been really, really trying to avoid...going back to retail. I held a customer service position during my 3rd year in college as Dillard's, and I know that sales associates there have sales per hour/quotas. I know JCPenney's doesn't have anything like that...but I'm curious if anyone who has experience working at other department stores knows who does and who doesn't. I'm really quite curious...because I hate the idea of bugging and annoying customers to buy stuff (because I get irritated when people do that to me while I'm shopping).

Sorry for the long, drawn out post. Thanks for any info/advice!

[Senusret I]

Is substitute teaching out of the question?

[DreamfulSpirit]

yeah...kinda, they want you to be certified to teach, but if you're not...the pay is really, really low...almost to the point that its not worth it.

[OneTimeSBX]

ahhh, the economy. nothing says "Screw you!" like a degree you can't use yet, and an hourly job...

i am in the same predicament. so is my sister. her degree is in Psychology and she cant use it. she is working at Kohl's. fyi, out here they dont have a quota at Kohl's and the pay starts off pretty decent.

i, too, am unemployed. i cant even get an hourly job! a friend of mines actually applied at Mcdonalds to see if they would call her back. they didnt!

i feel your pain. i would suggest a temp agency. if you dont need insurance thru a job, that is your best bet. my cousin works at Bank of America thru a temp agency and gets $13 an hour, 9-5, monday thru friday... its a thought. they also do a lot of decent paying reception jobs. i am working with three agencies here and im super close to nailing something down. you may have more luck.

[DreamfulSpirit]

Yeah...the economy is so bad that I am even registered with Kelly Services...did it a few months ago, and they haven't done anything for me!!! One job that they offered to send my resume in for, which would have been for about a 3 month temp job, trying to get a hold of who called me about it was impossible. Then they offered me 2 other one day jobs that I had no experience in even doing!!!

[OneTimeSBX]

at least they called you back lol! i am two seconds away from turning to crime...maybe mail order brides? anything that can pay these bills!

i have gone so far as to look for jobs overnight (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, even a baker at Panera lol!). i would prefer that type if i can get one, i have a ten month old, so who wants to pay for daycare? but alas, nothing there either...

[amanda6035]

What about a grocery store? I worked in the bakery in high school, and even christmas - well, August-December, I worked part time in the evenings, about 15 hours a week to make a little extra money. It was a nice extra $100 a week or so....

[33girl]

I have to agree w/ Amanda - food service or a grocery store is a lot less stressful than a place like Dillard's.

1. People are not there to browse, they ALWAYS are there to buy something.
2. They don't ask you to call your other stores to see if something's in stock.
3. They get their food, pay, and get the hell out.

[DreamfulSpirit]

Dillard's was bad...but I have an interview at Sears on Saturday. We'll see how that goes...

However there's a couple of other positions I've put in for that I'm really, really, really, hoping to hear back from!

[Still BLUTANG]

where in NC are you? PM me if you like.

[ComradesTrue]

Okay, yes, the economy is not as great as it has been in the past. However, your job search has included many places that are frequently hiring.

Have you had someone who knows you well give very honest feedback? As someone who has hundreds of resumes pass through my desk, and done my fair share of interviewing, could any of the following be contributing to your extended search?

(don't be offended by these.. I don't know you personally, but can attest that they are offenses that DO occur by those searching for jobs)

-- Spelling or grammatical errors in your resume/application. Check it carefully. I know employers who will throw out a resume/application with errors.
-- Your presence. Are you dressed professionally? Do you appear like someone that the company would want representing them? (not in a superficial way.. in a professional/put-together way)
-- Your interview skills. This includes perhaps giving off the air that you feel some of these jobs are beneath you. Your post certainly gives that impression.
-- salary/wage expectation- do you list one? Is it too high?

I guess what I am trying to say is that it appears that something more than the ecomony is to blame here. If you were trying to get a job in a "hot" market, then yes, I would totally get your frustration. But you have listed many places that often have openings and who would jump at the chance to have someone with a degree representing them.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Do you have Nordstrom in your area? I worked there in college during two summers, one summer in stock, the next as a cashier and salesperson. We had daily draws there, not hourly, and honestly I never had a hard time reaching mine. It was a great place to work and I made good money. You even get benefits as a part-timer, plus an awesome discount.

[OneTimeSBX]

Originally Posted by Blondie93

Okay, yes, the economy is not as great as it has been in the past. However, your job search has included many places that are frequently hiring.

Have you had someone who knows you well give very honest feedback? As someone who has hundreds of resumes pass through my desk, and done my fair share of interviewing, could any of the following be contributing to your extended search?

(don't be offended by these.. I don't know you personally, but can attest that they are offenses that DO occur by those searching for jobs)

-- Spelling or grammatical errors in your resume/application. Check it carefully. I know employers who will throw out a resume/application with errors.
-- Your presence. Are you dressed professionally? Do you appear like someone that the company would want representing them? (not in a superficial way.. in a professional/put-together way)
-- Your interview skills. This includes perhaps giving off the air that you feel some of these jobs are beneath you. Your post certainly gives that impression.
-- salary/wage expectation- do you list one? Is it too high?

I guess what I am trying to say is that it appears that something more than the ecomony is to blame here. If you were trying to get a job in a "hot" market, then yes, I would totally get your frustration. But you have listed many places that often have openings and who would jump at the chance to have someone with a degree representing them.

you know, this had crossed my mind myself...i double and triple checked my resume. i even had a friend who is a career placement specialist edit it, and do a mock interview...

my resume was pretty good, we tweaked it a bit but it wasnt bad at all. and my interview skill are top notch: i used to conduct interviews at my old job so i know what to do/not do!

the problem is just getting people to call to begin with...i dont know about Dreamfulspirit, but i have been applying everywhere. literally...

@Dreamful, have you tried Bed, Bath and Beyond?

[nittanyalum]

A couple of thoughts, first of all, I completely agree with Blondie93 and strongly suggest you run through her list and make sure one or more of those things may not be holding you back.

Second, while the substitute teaching pay may be really low, it would get SOMEthing education-oriented on your resume, if that is really the direction you want to go. And if you're not working anywhere else in the meantime, it shows you WANT to work and are being proactive about making inroads in education while you're conducting your job search/applying to grad school.

How about places that have an educational bend? Gymboree activity centers? If you're fixated on retail, how about one of those Discovery Channel stores?

And if you just need a paycheck and want a non-retail 9 to 5 regardless of the industry, if Kelly isn't calling you back, open the phone book and call every other temp service in town. I don't know where you live but there could be a ton of services and you don't have to limit yourself to just one. You never know what their client base is either, they may just get you in somewhere that makes you a connection for a fulltime gig.

[Scandia]

I have worked in retail. I have substitute-taught. I have gained fantastic experience from both that has helped me very much in my career as a librarian. Definitely try subbing- you can and will learn a lot from it, such as which kinds of schools/subjects/students do you feel most comfortable with.