At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Chester-le-Street team as a Sales Assistant, delivering excellent retail service.
- Company: Age UK supports older people through charity shops across the country.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, a generous pension, and discounts through Blue Light Card.
- Why this job: Make a difference while gaining valuable retail experience in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and ability to lift stock up to 10kg required.
- Other info: Early applications are encouraged; we value diversity and inclusivity in our hiring.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
Job Description
Age UK's shops are the face of the charity. On high streets up and down the country our retail teams deliver a great shopping experience to customers while generating much needed income for the charity, ensuring that we can provide services and support to older people who need it most.
If you want to help us to help others, we have the job for you!
We are recruiting for a Sales Assistant to join our wonderful Chester-le-Street team and deliver an excellent retail service, ensuring that every customer has a great shopping experience. As a valued Sales Assistant you will contribute towards maximising shop sales and profits as well as the successful day to day running of the shop and deputise for the Shop Manager and Assistant Manager in their absence.
The successful candidate will support with sales, stock rotation, organising displays and store tidying and much more, whilst representing Age UK in a professional manner and reflecting our core values.
Due to the nature of this role, you will be required to handle/lift bags of stock (up to 10kgs.)
To ensure the smooth running of our stores, we will be conducting interviews throughout the advertising process. Early applications are advised.
You will have:
- Experience in working in a customer facing role
- Experience of cash handling
- Ability to lift and carry bags of stock up to 10kg's
- The ability to work as part of an effective team.
- Be able to lone work when needed
- Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as commitment to equal opportunities
- A flexible approach to work with requirement to work additional days to cover holidays and sickness or participate in trading outside of normal shop hours e.g. shop events
What we offer in return:
- A 14 hour working week
- 25 days holiday (pro-rata) + bank holiday allowance
- A generous pension – we will contribute 8%
- Great discounts and rewards through Blue Light Card and BenefitHub
- Life assurance, Bupa health cashback plan
- Tickets for Good – Free and discounted tickets for events
Additional Information
To comply with UK legislation, we cannot accept applications from candidates under the age of 18 as the successful candidate will be required to work on their own in the shop without the aid of other staff.
Supporting statements and anonymisation
Please submit a Word version of your CV as it will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role. Our system is unable to anonymise supporting statements and heavily formatted CVs. Please could you remove any personal information including your name before you upload to support our inclusive recruitment process. All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us if invited for interview.
Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme
Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria under the Disability Confident Scheme. Please note that on occasion, due to high numbers of applications, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.
Is this the job for you? We know that men, of all backgrounds, and men and women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are currently under-represented in our workforce, and we want to change this! So, we are particularly keen to hear from applicants from these groups.
Reasonable adjustments
Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case-by-case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the Recruitment Team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need-to-know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.
Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.
Sales Assistant employer: Age Uk
Contact Detail:
Age Uk Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Age UK's mission and values. Understanding the charity's goals will help you demonstrate your commitment during the interview, showing that you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely want to contribute to their cause.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare examples from your previous customer-facing roles that highlight your ability to provide excellent service. Think about specific situations where you went above and beyond for a customer, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your teamwork skills by discussing how you've successfully collaborated with colleagues in past jobs. Since this role requires working as part of a team, demonstrating your ability to work well with others will be crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your flexibility and willingness to cover shifts or work outside normal hours. Highlight any past experiences where you adapted to changing schedules or took on additional responsibilities to support your team.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in customer-facing roles and cash handling. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to work as part of a team and handle stock effectively.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: In your supporting statement, express your passion for helping others and how you align with Age UK's values. Mention your flexibility and willingness to cover additional shifts, as well as your sensitivity to cultural differences.
Follow Anonymisation Guidelines: When submitting your application, ensure that your CV is in Word format and free from personal information like your name. This helps support Age UK's inclusive recruitment process.
Apply Early: Since Age UK reviews applications throughout the advertising period, applying early can increase your chances of being considered for an interview. Don't wait until the last minute!
How to prepare for a job interview at Age Uk
✨Show Your Customer Service Skills
As a Sales Assistant, you'll be interacting with customers regularly. Be prepared to share examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past. Highlight your ability to handle difficult situations and ensure a positive shopping experience.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork
This role requires working as part of a team. Be ready to discuss your experiences in collaborative environments. Share specific instances where you contributed to team success or helped resolve conflicts.
✨Understand the Charity's Mission
Familiarise yourself with Age UK's mission and values. During the interview, express your passion for helping older people and how you can contribute to the charity's goals. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Since the role involves handling stock and cash, expect practical questions related to these tasks. Think about how you would manage stock rotation or handle cash transactions accurately. Being prepared will demonstrate your readiness for the responsibilities of the role.