h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just don't be everything you hate about shop assistants. You'll be a smash hit!

I'm lovely I am.

But that's not helpful.

Customers are easy. You just have to be polite and look like you're interested in what they're saying. As I said before, most of the questions you tend to get are about stock so it shouldn't be too hard. And if you get a question you can't answer, just say 'I'm afraid I don't know the answer, let me just go and find out for you/get someone who knows'. As long as you don't keep them waiting too long they don't usually mind. And when you're new you can always use it as an excuse, but always make sure you go out and find out for them if you don't know the answer, don't point at someone and say 'Ask them' cos that never gets a good response! Oh and if a customer ever gets really aggro, go and get your supervisor/manager, tell the customer that's who they need to speak to. The way I've always looked at it, you're not paid enough to deal with really sh***y customers, but they are.
That's about all the wisdom I've gleaned from working in a shop for 4 years. The bad thing is when you get promoted and then you're the one people pass angry cutomers to

Ok. So I knew that. I must have a dodgy exterior confidence/arrogance thing going on then, because I say that, and I still don't get the job. I need to have that added extra *something*...

I should go and do the askh2g2 thing if I get an interview...

Well fingers crossed anyway.

Yeh me too I don't like being all unemployed...the prospect of job interviews is scary.



I need more help though! I have the application form, and there's a whole of one side of A4 to fill about why I want the job, why I think I should get the job, and any relevant things that don't fit into other catagories.

One story I heard from and ex-shop assistant was someone coming in and asking for a CD. *Ah, I want the new one, you know- the one where they sing. I don't know the name of the artist or the song but everyone is playing it. You don't know? I thought you asked if you could help me. May I speak to your manager?*

Dealing with punters is a lot easier than people think. Just remember to smile and be polite. If you're friendly, and good natured then it doesn't really matter if you can answer their questions or not.

The thing is, even by coming here and asking you're showing willingness to learn, keep that, but don't seem too eager. If you do, you'll come across as desperate.

Have your opinions about hardware and software, but be able to back them up. If someone seems to be able to back their argument, you can pretty much guarentee that they know what they're on about.

Friendly. I can do that!!

Application forms

I think they are a formality unless the manager is anal. If they hire using it as a major indicator they aren't much of a manager to begin with. The few times I've hired people they struck me as the right person for the job, unless there was a huge need for specific expertise or education.