20 Best Jobs to Work in the Retail Sector

20 Best Jobs to Work in the Retail Sector20 Best Jobs to Work in the Retail SectorThe retail sector employs alfruchtwein 16 million workers in many different types of positions. The pay isnt always great, and youll need a flexible schedule for many jobs working in retail. However, not all roles require formal education, and there are opportunities to grow with a company and move up the career ladder. The Best Retail Job for You Whats the best job for one rolle may not be the right fit for someone else. It depends on your skills and interests, and what you want to get out of work. For example, cashier positions are often low paying, but you may be able to work a flexible schedule around school or other responsibilities. Retail sales associates can earn more, especially when there is an opportunity to get paid commission, but you need strong interpersonal skills and the ability to close a sale. Because of the large number of employees in the field, and the scope the retail industry covers, there are plenty of opportunities for career advancement. Once youve moved up from an entry-level job, there are opportunities for decent paying department, store, and district management positions, especially with the larger national chains. Youll also likely find IT, security, and administrative positions at the big corporations. For college graduates interested in making retail a career, many leading retailers have management training programs and actively recruit students and recent graduates. Youll find the details in the career section of the companys website. Heres an overview of some of the top retail jobs, including what the job entails, the qualifications needed to get hired, and the median earnings. Buyer Buyers and purchasing agents (median annual salary) buy the products sold in retail stores. They are responsible for evaluating vendors, negotiating prices, ordering, and arranging delivery schedules. One of the perks is getting to attend trade shows to chec k out whats new.At large retailers, buyers work out of corporate headquarters. Smaller organizations may have an in-house buyer. Cashier This isnt the best paying retail job (median hourly pay), but its one where there are no formal educational requirements for new hires. You can apply online at most major retailers, and on the job training is provided. Opportunities are available at department stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and other retail establishments. Positions are plentiful, with 2.8 million people employed as cashiers in 2015. Many positions are part-time, though some employers offer benefits. Customer Service Representative There are many different customer service roles (median hourly salary) in retail. The job could be working at the customer service desk handling returns and payments, providing product information and pricing to customers, or responding to inquiries about availability and delivery. Demonstrator/Product Promoter Demonstrators and produc t promoters (medianhourly pay) share information on new products, and products which are being promoted. Depending on where you work, you could be giving away food or beverage samples, suggesting makeup options to customers, sharing information on products in the store, or otherwise getting customers to notice the product youre pitching. Department Manager A department manager (medianhourly pay) is responsible for one section of a retail store. For example, grocery stores have managers for produce, frozen food, meat and seafood, and dairy. This job could be a promotion from a stock or associate job, or the employer could recruit candidates with experience in that department. District Manager District Managers (median annual salary) handle a group of stores, usually within a geographic territory. They supervise operations and manage the stores within their region. Information Technology Coordinator Retail IT Coordinators (median annual salary) provide operations and user support for retailers. Responsibilities may include hardware, software, mobile, messaging, and server support. IT coordinators troubleshoot and resolve issues, and upgrade and maintain store systems. menschengerecht Resources Manager/Training Manager Human Resources Managers (median annual salary) are responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and employee relations. Depending on the retailer, this role could be either a store or corporate position. Logistics Coordinator Retail Logistics Coordinators (median annual salary) get the products to the store. They keep track of inventory, order stock, allocate merchandise to stores, manage the organization of stock rooms, and ensure timely shipping and delivery to maintain stocked shelves and racks. Loss Prevention Associate Loss Prevention Associates (median hourly pay) are hired to prevent shoplifting. Employees are required to follow the organizations loss control policies and cash handling procedures. Responsibilities m ay include greeting customers, checking bags and tags, and inspecting store alarms and locks. Manager Trainee/Leadership Development Associate Many retailers have management training programs (median annual salary). Some are designed for college graduates to rotate through different areas of the retail business as an introduction to starting a career with the company. Others are focused on training employees who are being promoted from within. Marketing Coordinator Retail Marketing Coordinator (median annual salary) job responsibilities will vary significantly based on your employer. If youre working for a small retailer, you may handle everything from print advertising to social media engagement. At a large employer, your role may be more specific. Online Merchandiser This is a retail job that pays well and lets you skip being on the sales floor. Online Merchandisers (median annual salary) are responsible for digital merchandising of the products on the company website. The ability to measure customer interest, determine sales strategy, decide on product promotion, and analyze data are all requirements. Optical/Fashion Stylist Stylists (medianhourly pay) help optical clients choose frames, suggest clothes to customers, manage fitting rooms, and drive sales. These positions are available in eyewear stores, high-end department stores, and specialty clothing and accessory stores. Order Processor Order Processors (medianhourly pay) work for retailers that sell big-ticket items like cars, furniture, and appliances. They receive and process orders, track orders, handle customer and vendor inquiries, and coordinate shipments and deliveries. Pharmacy Technician Pharmacy Technicians (Median Hourly Pay) work in drug stores and pharmacies within large retail stores. They receive and process prescriptions. The job involves data entry, printing labels, stocking shelves, and preparing and packaging medications. Strong customer service skills are imp ortant for this role. Retail Merchandiser Retail Merchandisers (median hourly pay) set up and maintain displays, including featured and seasonal products. Some merchandisers work for the store, while others work for the product manufacturer. Sales Associate Sales is a high employment occupation (median hourly pay), with 4.3 million retail salespersons employed in the U.S. in 2015, and 7 percent expected growth between 2014 and 2024. It isnt a high paying job when you look at the average hourly rate, but there may be an opportunity to earn commission. That can add up when youre selling high ticket items like furniture, appliances, or automobiles. Store Manager The Store Manager (median annual salary) is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the store including inventory, customer service, productivity, promotions, and profitability.The role may include hiring, scheduling, training, and managing employees. Team Leader/Assistant Manager A retail Assistant Manager (median hourly rate) helps the store manager with day-to-day operations. Depending on the size of the store, job responsibilities may include oversight of a specific area of the store or assisting with general management. Projected growth data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Salary data provided by PayScale.com.

5 Tips for a More Focused, Targeted Job Search

5 Tips for a mora Focused, Targeted Job Search5 Tips for a More Focused, Targeted Job Search0Whether you are looking for a new job voluntarily or searching due to involuntary unemployment, having a targeted and focused job search can help you get better results from your efforts. Below you will find tips for a more focused, targeted job search, as well as information on why a focused job search is a more productive method of finding and gaining employment.With time being of the essence for many job seekers, having a more focused job search strategy and targeted process can help in alleviating some of the hustle, as well as optimizing precious time.Why a Targeted Job Search Is More ProductiveTargeting and focusing your job search can eliminate the stress of mass mailings and the waiting game. Rather than focusing your time and effort on getting as many resumes out as possible, targeting specific industries, companies, or areas helps in identifying positions that you qualify for and ar e interested in.Sure, sending a lot of resumes out gets your name out there, but it may be for the wrong reason. HR personnel are overwhelmed with applicants for every position, so if you dont make the effort to personalize your documents and target specific areas, your hard work may end up in the trash pile. Your time may be much better spent tweaking your resumes and deckblatt letters, applying only for jobs you qualify for, and doing the necessary research to make a lasting impression, or at very least, a new connection.How to Target and Focus Your Job SearchChoose a path.Most people have a hard time figuring out what they want to do with their lives, especially during a job search. You may be willing to do just about anything, at one point or another, but it is more effective to really dwindle the list down to a few areas you can focus on. Consider your background, your education, your life needs, and your passions. Understanding these can help your job search by identifying an industry, market, or a range of companies you can focus your search on. Finding similarities between the path you want to follow and your work-life balances needs will help you decide the type of job you want, whether it be part-time, freelance, or even an internship.Find a theme.Rather than applying for any job, think about your personal brand and who you are as a professional, and then find jobs that fit. Your resume should be targeted and customized for each position you apply for. Take note of any recurring themes and keywords in the job description to help you format your resume to highlight the qualifications and skills that the job requires.Do research.Whatever you do, dont skip the research. Companies are looking for people with attention to detail. By researching the company and the job, you can create customized cover letters and exceptional resumes. Additionally, when you are well versed in the company and the job description, you will be ready to talk and take action whe n it comes to the interview process. Going into a job blind may find you back in job search mode sooner than you expected.Know your qualifications.The whole point of a target is to hit the center. When you forget to aim at the target, chances are you are going to miss. The same applies for job applications. You must know your skills and qualifications so that you can target your efforts towards positions that you are qualified for. Sending your resume out to every job opening you see is going to, more than likely, put your resume into the trash. Find your path, do your research, and know your skills so that you can focus on the target of getting your dream job.Network.With more and more jobs not being publicly advertised, but spread through professional networks and word of mouth, having an established network in your targeted industry or profession is important. elend only does your network connect you to other professionals and like-minded individuals, it also opens up doors to jo bs that you otherwise wouldnt have known about.Focusing your efforts and time on a targeted job search is important. Knowing what you want to do, creating personalized documents, doing the research, understanding what you qualify for, and growing your network are great ways to focus your energy and begin to target those ideal jobs.

New Skills for the New World of Engineering

New Skills for the New World of Engineering New Skills for the New World of Engineering New Skills for the New World of EngineeringBecause many of todays devices and products designed by todays mechanical engineers incorporate electronics and other non-mechanical components, companies want mechanical engineers with experience in additive manufacturing, robotics, computer and electrical engineering, mechatronics, system networking, and the Internet of Things.As a modern-day mechanical engineer, youre expected to know or at least understand disciplines and skills you werent taught in college. Unfortunately, many employers dont offer the continued, cross-functional engineering training you need to keep up with the job. While some companies offer programs and training to bring their engineers up to speed, engineers without access to these resources must either fight to bring them in-house or access them through off-site education to stay fresh and advance their careers.For You 12 Skills You Need to Advance an Engineering CareerNearly 40 percent of manufacturers polled for a recent survey said the evolving and changing engineering skillset needed for systems-driven product development is one of their biggest workforce challenges, according to research firm Tech Clarity.The survey also found that 70 percent of the top-performing engineering companies polled expect the balance of engineering disciplines to continue to change over the next decade.Engineers who have been exposed to other engineering disciplines and have experience working on multi-discipline teams will be more prepared to participate in todays product development teams, according to the survey.Many divisions of the engineering software maker Siemens PLM use training to ensure employees are up-to-speed on the companys software offerings. The training serves a dual purpose, as Siemens PLM users are also testing the training technology called Siemens Learning as a Service, says Beat Neuhaus, Siemens PLM vi ce president of educational services.Sometimes customers ask What happens if I train my employees and then they leave because they get a better offer? I answer, What happens if you dont train them and they stay? Beat Neuhaus, Siemens PLM Siemens offers its employees a wide selection of courses and training. Image SiemensThe training is available to engineers under the perform membership, which is designed to kooperation life-long learning and to help engineers and other users of the companys digital enterprise software suite keep their knowledge up-to-date with the latest developments in digitalization. It offers engineers point of need about specific bits and pieces of information.Siemens PLM has seen cost savings, faster time to market, high employee engagement, and long-term employee satisfaction as a result of the angeschlossen training systems, Neuhaus says..This leads to faster and deeper user adoption and productivity and avoids underutilization of the purchase d tools and systems, he adds.Training Against a Shortage of EngineersAdmittedly the Siemens program, like others from the makers of engineering technology, focuses on how to best use that companys tools.Surveys and articles dot the Internet about the need for continued training, but examples of companies that put that into place are rare. Their rationale is often misplaced, Nehaus says.Sometimes customers ask What happens if I train my employees and then they leave because they get a better offer? I answer, What happens if you dont train them and they stay? he says.The Skills Gap in U.S. Manufacturing, a 2016 study by Deloitte, cites that employers need to provide training for their existing workforce to ensure that a skills gap doesnt develop that cant be filled by hiring.The Deloitte study also found that involvement with local schools and community colleges can ensure a future supply of engaged, skilled professionals for manufacturers.Looking further at the issue, a 2016 Deloitte article titled A 3D Opportunity for the Talent Gap looked at how manufacturers can address the shortage of engineers and other technical employees with additive knowledge. It too called for continued training.Its unclear if engineering firm are heeding that call. What is clear, however, is that theyll soon have to be to remain competitive.Ongoing learning in engineering and design is the only solution for keeping up-to-date with rapidly evolving technology in the emerging knowledge economy, says Tony Glockler, the chief executive officer of Solid Professor, which provides online and mobile training tools for engineers.Smart investment in ongoing training is the hallmark of successful engineers and high-growth companies, he says.But what to do if you work for a companyand there seem to be manythat doesnt offer cross-functional engineering training?Ask your managers to make training available. Arm yourself with the studies cited here as well as other statistics and training options a vailable.Be aware that your higher-ups may fear engineers will leave for other opportunities after they have education and experience in new areas like additive manufacturing or robotics. For this, be ready to reiterate the quote from Neuhaus and cite the way your company can continue to succeed with well-rounded engineers on board.Jean Thilmany is an independent writer.Read MoreFreelance Engineering? Theres a Site for ThatThe Rise of the Master of Engineering Management DegreeMeasuring Motivation