With fashion and retail being such a big industry in the UK, it is not surprising that millions of people find employment in this sector. Within Retail, there are many roles that typically dominate the retail sector that any job seeker should have a sound knowledge of before they apply for jobs in retail. To name a few roles: merchandiser, buyer, store manager, assistant manager, designer….. Merchandising jobs involve working with product line and stock, ensuring that the retailer is adequately stocked with the products and series that are currently in demand and therefore going to sell, make the company money and keep everyone in a job. To be a merchandiser, you need to be creative, have a good idea of current purchasing habits, a feel for current fashions and sound knowledge of consumer wants within any market. A good knowledge of your retailer’s competitors is a necessity too. Jobs in buying requires one to be a good communicator who has the ability to negotiate. Good mathematics skills are essential. As a buyer, the job is about getting the best price at the right times and in the right quantities. This is the role of a buyer. Working as an assistant manager or as store manager is an all encompassing role that requires the job seeker to have a solid retail background, have leadership skills, knowledge of people management in all disciplines including HR, employment, payroll as well the ability to keep the retailer well. Of all the retail jobs out there, this ones requires the retail job seeker to be most qualified and have the most wide-ranging of skills sets.
Applying for jobs in retail can be done in a host of ways including applying for jobs directly with the retailers that interest you. Secondly, you can register with retail orientated recruitment agencies such as Fashion & Retail Personnel and get them to find you jobs that match your skills sets and experience. Lastly, you can register with a job site. In fact, you can register with many job sites, to register with each takes about 12 minutes, so it does not take long to be honest. Job sites, you will find either specializes in retail while other cater for lots of different industries. My experience of them to date, is that both kinds work equally well. I have found a retail job with Reed.co.uk as well as Retailchoice.com, so don’t be put out by how they look or if they act slightly differently. I have also registered with CareersandJobsUk.com and totaljobs.com