Orientation

 Orientation-- at least for me-- lasted only two days.

Day 1:

We watched two videos.

The first was a brief history about the store and who founded the store and where the name of the store comes from. This is the part where they puff their chest and show what a great company they are.

The second video regarded loss prevention. After working in retail for years, I should point out that such videos are only partially true.

What the video got right?

• Teenagers steal
• Co-workers might steal

What the video got wrong?

• Men in suits are not going to steal bags of candy
• Co-workers are not likely to adjust the price for an item for friends or family.

What the video forgot to include?

• Shoplifters usually look like shoplifters
• Shoplifters usually behave like shoplifters
• They're usually not pleasant people who are easily deterred by friendly customer service.
• They will be aggressive and mean and if they have to be, they will be violent.

It's one of many things they don't teach you during orientation. Then again, if you knew what kind of people you would be dealing with on a daily basis, would you ever work in retail? Probably not.

Day 2:

They teach you the basics. And when I say basics, I really mean basics.

• How to operate and perform tasks at a register.
• How to use the PA system/phone.
• How to organize the aisles.
• How to do returns (Not to be confused with refunds, these are items people pick-up off the shelf but then decide not to purchase)

What they don't teach you:

• How to deal with people.

Don't get me wrong, the customer is important. The customer comes into the store to buy something. At the very least you should be able to provide good customer service.

But there is-- or at least there should be-- a limit to what constitutes as customer service.

For anyone reading who is considering going into retail, please keep in mind:

• You're not going there to make friends with customers, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be friendly.
• You're not going there to goof off, but that doesn't mean there won't be moments of joy and laughter.
• You're not going there to help people with their problems, but it doesn't mean you can't be sympathetic (or even empathetic).

You're there because you need to make money and but you have limited skills. So you work your best until you can be promoted to a supervisor or a better job comes along. Just remember that it's a job and it's only serious as you want it to be.