Unlike many other management positions in the business world, becoming a retail manager rarely requires a formal degree. In retail, workers can assume additional responsibilities and move up in the ranks through hard work. By understanding and implementing customer service skills, and by displaying effective organizational skills and teamwork abilities, you may be able to get a job in retail management.
Instructions
1. If you don't already have a job in retail, get one (see Resources, below). If you don't have previous experience as a retail manager, the only way to move into the position is to start at the bottom. Choose a retail category that fits your interests and personality.
2. Determine if you have the temperament to pursue a job in retail management, since retail managers often work long hours on set salaries for relatively modest pay, depending upon the company. A retail manager needs to show superior organizational skills, effective time management and top-notch communication skills. Remember, the very definition of managing is to achieve results through the efforts of others.
3. Develop your people skills. The essence of a great retail manager is effective communication, so by learning work with others to achieve results, you will display the right type of skills for the role.
4. Exhibit flawless customer service skills at all times. Look at every customer interaction as an opportunity, not a problem.
5. Show high initiative in your current role. Your supervisors will be looking for someone who keeps busy and performs duties without having to be told first. One school of thought holds that in order to be promoted to a particular position in retail management, you should already be performing those duties in advance.
6. Make it clear that you hope to enter the management program. Due to high turnover in retail management field, supervisors are always looking to groom and train future managers. While asking to be a manager will not guarantee an offer, you may be the first person who comes to mind when there is an opening.
7. Excel at your current job. Ensure that you are performing to the best of your ability, so that when it does come time to be considered for a management position, there will be no cause for reluctance or hesitation. Work hard, work well and show initiative, and you may get that retail management job sooner than you think.
Tags: retail management, retail manager, achieve results, customer service, customer service skills