A Variety of Jobs in Retail
If the only position you think of when you hear retail jobs are sales people, think again. There is a wide range of jobs available to high school and college graduates alike. You can find jobs in both the entry and executive-track levels. With plenty of room to grow in this industry, these jobs can be very attractive to any job seeker out there.
Assistant Buyer Jobs
If you eventually want to be a buyer, you need to start looking at assistant buyer jobs. In these jobs, you'll help with merchandise selection, deal with vendors, create orders, and learn how to work with a budget. These jobs require math and time management skills. Some retailers are automating these jobs, so be aware that you might not find a position at your favorite retail establishment until you have enough experience to be a buyer.
Buyer Jobs
These jobs involve planning sales, monitoring inventory, picking merchandise, and placing orders with vendors. You'll have to know how to budget and you will also need an awareness of trends and current culture. Typically, buyers have spent a couple years as an assistant or have completed a training program through the store. These jobs can be very competitive, but also they allow you to be very involved in an important part of the retail industry.
Sales Jobs
Some retailers have commissions generous enough for their sales jobs to be very lucrative. These jobs are great for people who enjoy being active and working with people. Students and other people who need part-time jobs will also find retail sales a great way to make some extra cash. You don't usually need a college degree to work in sales and with hard work, you can usually advance within a store, potentially to a management position.
Department or Sales Managers
Some stores offer management-training programs that teach you about merchandising, finance, marketing, operations, and personnel management. When you graduate from the training program, you will have a department or sales manager job. These jobs are usually the first step in the right direction if you are interesting in a long-term career in the retail industry. Stores typically look for people who have good sales skills, can work well with other people, and keep track of many things at once for these jobs.
Merchandise Managers
If you work in one of these jobs, you'll oversee several merchandise departments and their buyers. These jobs are usually the next step for buyers. Responsibilities include quality control, quantity control, and pricing. The jobs also include maintaining relationships with vendors, market visits, and the development of buying teams. The next step is typically executive retail management.
Market Analyst Jobs
People doing market analyst jobs are analyzing what customers are buying, when they're buying, how they're buying, and what that information means for buyers, advertising, and strategy. People who have graduated with a degree in marketing are good candidates for these retail jobs.
Director of Marketing Jobs
Marketing jobs offer an opportunity to manage external research and coordinate internal data sources to retain and attract customers. These jobs are particularly challenging and can present unique problem solving situations that some people find very exciting. Finding one of these great retail jobs can be simple if you use the resources available to you at JobsOnline. You'll be able to search for jobs by both industry and location, so you can narrow down your choices quickly. Start by looking for jobs in your area and then expand your search if you would like. With JobsOnline, you'll be able to find the best jobs quickly and easily. Start searching for jobs today and you'll find yourself with a great new company in no time.