Planning Your Retail CareerPlanning Your Retail Career

Preparing Your RésuméPreparing Your Résumé

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Chapter Objectives

Explain how to make a career plan.

Describe ways to prepare for a retail career.

Apply job-search strategies.

Identify information needed to prepare a résumé.

Explain how to prepare a résumé.

Identify references for a résumé.

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Make a Career Plan

Compiling a career plancareer plan will help you determine which area of retailing most interests you.

career plan a written statement of career goals and the necessary steps to achieve them

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Be realistic when you make a career plan.

Make specific career goals.

Make a Career Plan

A career laddercareer ladder is a vertical look at career steps.

career ladder the series of job steps you must take to achieve career goals

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A career latticecareer lattice plan allows you to consider a greater variety of opportunities that can lead to the same career goal.

career lattice a combination of vertical and diagonal career steps that lead to a career goal

Retail Job Requirements

Retail job requirements include:

body language the gestures and facial expressions that people use to communicate nonverbally

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Communication skills– Body languageBody language

People skills

Basic math skills

Leadership skills

Teamwork skills

Preparing for Your Retail Career

Two things that you can do to help you prepare yourself for a career in retailing are:

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Get an education– Participate in DECA– National Retail Federation (NRF) Skill Standards

Accreditation

Build work experience

Sources for Retail Jobs

Sources for retail jobs include:

networking contacting people you know who can assist with your job hunt

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NetworkingNetworking

employment agency a business that specializes in helping people find jobs

Employment agenciesEmployment agencies

Employment ads

The Internet

Operating an e-tail business on an electronic channel—the Web—can be costly, due to design, delivery, returns, and operating expenses.

Though Many larger dot-com companies crashed in the 1990’s, small stores like Harris Cyclery of West Newton, Massachusetts, actually increase sales using a basic Web site. Today, a third of Harris’s bicycle business rides in on the Web to get hard-to-find parts and personal service.

Describe an e-business’s home page to your class after viewing one through marketingseries.glencoe.com.

Many workers are moving from retail to e-tail as traditional stores add Web sites with online shopping.

E-Tail Employment

Jobs in e-tail include Web site design, online marketing, and customer service. E-tailers also need buyers, technical support, and content experts.

For more information on retailing, go to marketingseries.glencoe.com.

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What are two things to keep in mind when making a career plan?

What are five basic skill requirements of most jobs?

What are four sources you can use to find a job in retailing?

1.

2.

3.

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Elements of a Résumé

Before applying for any job, you need to prepare a résumérésumé.

résumé a document that provides a summary of information about a person’s work experience, education, activities, and interests

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Elements of a Résumé

The elements of a résumé are:

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Contact information

Objective

Skills

Experience

Education

Activities and Honors

Keeping Current

Update your résumé constantly because the information on your résumé changes as you gain experience, learn new skills, advance in school, earn awards, and join new organizations.

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References

Employers may ask for three referencesreferences.

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references people who know you and who can answer questions about your work habits and characterBefore you include

anyone on your reference list, be sure to ask for that person’s permission.

Keep your networking system organized.

• Student assistants

• Advisors• Classmates• Friends• Family• Support staff• Administrative

assistants

Networking

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Supporters Professionals Promoters Role Models Mentors

• Counselors• Professors• Teachers• Administrators• Coworkers• Suppliers• Main office

staff

• Club or academic advisors

• Instructors• Coaches• Coworkers• Customers• Clients

• Instructors• Professors• Community

leaders• Authors• Experts

• Role models• Professionals

outside your career area who take an interest in your career

Use a notebook or computer

Ask for a business card

Jot notes on business cards

Set up worksheets

Update the information often

Cover Letter

When you send your résumé to apply for a job, always include a cover cover letterletter.

cover letter a brief letter that provides a short introduction about the sender and states why that person is a strong candidate for the job

Carefully proofread your résumé and cover letter.

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What types of information should be included on your résumé?

Why is it important to list offices and memberships on your résumé?

What are three types of references you can include on your résumé?

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2.

3.

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Define a career plan.

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Describe ways to make career plans.

Identify steps you can take to prepare for a retail career.

Explain four job-search strategies.

It is a written statement of career goals and the steps necessary to achieve them.

1. Such plans can be made on the ladder model which is a vertical series of steps to take to reach goals; alternatively, they can follow the lattice model which is a combination of vertical and diagonal steps to a goal.

2. Answers can include completing and continuing your education, taking marketing classes, joining DECA, obtaining NRF accreditation, and gaining work experience.

3. One can use networking, employment agencies, employment ads, and the Internet.

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Checking Concepts

continued

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2.

3.

4.

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Identify information to assemble when preparing a résumé.

Explain how to prepare a résumé.

Describe the different types of references you can use on your résumé.

Information includes personal information, such as name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address; your work experience, your education, and your activities and honors.

5. You should begin your résumé with personal information and the kind of position you are seeking. There should be sections on work experience and education followed by any offices you hold in school clubs or teams you are on. The last section is for references

6. References are people who know you and can answer questions about your work habits and the type of person you are. They may be former employers, teachers, and longtime family friends.

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Checking Concepts

continued

5.

6.

7.

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Critical Thinking

Explain the importance of making a career plan realistic and specific.

Answers may vary but should recognize that making career plans realistic helps to make them achievable. You can always expand your goals later as you progress. Making them specific helps you to focus on a goal, also making that goal more achievable.

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Checking Concepts

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