First looking at the various, employment opportunities in merchandise one can see the employment opportunity in almost any type of merchandise. For example, apparel meaning clothing and accessories means jobs in this category are available in all types of locations where the product finally ends up. Sales employment in this category can be of a general nature or it can be specialized. An individual wanting this type of employment may decide to go work a job in a department store. Here the sales associate would be responsible for selling a wide variety of goods having a basic knowledge in the majority of them. Then on the other hand, the employment opportunity might consist of a specialized area only, for example in the electronics department. When seeking sales employment jobs, offers will also be available for specialty stores like music shops, or drug stores for example.
Sales jobs sometimes are stepping-stones while individuals are on their way to other careers. There is nothing wrong with this as a great deal of experience can be gained that can be applied to whatever career they end up in.
Considering employment in sales jobs is much more than a stepping-stone, and should never be a dead end job. The one job market is relatively easy to find entry-level employment. For example, an individual can apply for a job as a junior clerk. Usually this position will require a grade 12 education, but may be open to those that have grade 10 or equivalent.
There are several things to keep in mind when doing a job search for sales employment jobs. First, make a list of several things that interest you. Perhaps you like animals, and you enjoy cosmetics and personal care products as well. This means that you have now opened to avenues of employment for yourself perhaps in the pet care industry and another in the cosmetic industry. The next thing you want to do is define your geographical area that you want to work in. From here, you have to decide are you looking for temporary, part time, or full time work. If you are opting for temporary or part time employment is it because you are pursuing another career. The answers as to why type of sales employment you will accept will help you determine the job employment description you want.
If you are looking to make a sales associate job as your career then you want to look for employment in a store that is big enough and will advance enough for promotions. This way even if you come in at an entry-level position the possibility exists for advanced employment. You can move up the sales ladder as you gain employment. As time passes, you can go from a junior sales associate, to a senior one. Then you can move onto a supervisor and perhaps a store manager. The employment opportunities do not stop there either you can continue. Many top sales executives began their career as being employed as a junior sales clerk. Therefore, now that you have narrowed down your job search you are ready to start looking at some job employment ads. You have a good idea of what you are looking for and once you find a few then you have to look at the job description and see what the requirements are.
Often for jobs in sales, they will want a resume showing your experience. If you are probably only qualified for a junior employment position then this may mean that, you do not have either enough education or experience for a higher employment level position. In this case, the expectation may be for a grade 10 or equivalent education. Make sure on your resume you list all of your education and any pertinent course you took that may be applicable to the job you are seeking. Then remember all those part time jobs that you may have had. Be sure to list them as well even if they do not fall into the category of the job you are after. It will at least show a prospective employer that you have been actively working to some degree. In addition, it provides contacts for the employer to check out your work ethics at the other job positions you filled. Your resume must be presented in a professional manner.
Another very important point to remember is your appearance both when you hand in your resume and when you go for your interviews. Often individuals will dress super casual when they are going on job searches where they know they are just putting in resumes. You never know when you may run into a potential employer, if you make a good first impression then your resume may be the first they look at. It could mean the opportunity for gainful employment.
Also in any type of sales associate employment, presentation is everything. How you present yourself to a potential employer is one area, and the other reason it is important is that you would be a representative of the company should you become one of their sales clerks. Naturally, employment at this level means a professional manner and a good presentation.