At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver exceptional customer service and creatively organise donated stock in a fun retail environment.
- Company: Join the British Heart Foundation, a community-focused charity making a real impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days annual leave, staff discounts, and access to holistic support.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for career progression in a dynamic setting.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that promotes sustainability while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for customer service and teamwork; retail experience is a bonus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 14 £ per hour.
Would you like to be part of a retail team that are community based, offer amazing choice and genuine sustainability? Look no further – join us as a Sales Assistant in Bexleyheath. This is a part time role working 28 hours a week in one of our busy clothing stores. Our stores are fast-paced and trade 7 days a week. This role requires flexibility to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.
What does this role involve? As a Sales Assistant you’ll be at the very heart of our retail operation. This is not just standing behind the till or filling shelves type of role, we’re looking for someone who will deliver a first class customer service experience. It’s a fun, fast-paced environment where no two days are the same and everyone works as a team. Every day is different in charity retail, as well as working on the till or sorting donations, you can expect to:
- Engage with customers, providing exceptional service and promoting our charity’s mission
- Organise and merchandise donated stock creatively to maximise sales potential
- Collaborate with our E-Commerce team to maximise online sales
As a Keyholder, you’ll be the go-to person when there isn’t a manager on duty, keeping the store running and ensuring our customers have a great experience. You’ll need to be 18+ years old to apply for this role. Please note, this role can be physically demanding and will involve moving a high volume of donation bags. You will be given lots of autonomy in your role and will strive to continually build your knowledge of BHF.
What are we looking for?
- Previous retail experience isn’t essential. What truly counts is your passion, energy, and ability to deliver the very best customer service.
- You’ll be confident within a team environment and comfortable guiding the activity of volunteers on the shop floor.
- Able to work well under pressure and on your own initiative in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Attention to detail in everything you do.
- Positive, creative, confident, customer service focussed and passionate about sustainability.
- You’ll be comfortable with tech, able to use a Till, PC, Smartphone and e-mail with ease.
What’s important to us? At the British Heart Foundation (BHF) we offer a huge range of new and used quality furniture, clothing, jewellery and more, available in store and online. Since 1961, British Heart Foundation has been at the forefront of research that has helped to halve annual deaths from cardiovascular disease in the UK. But our work is needed more than ever. In addition to raising funds for the BHF, we connect with our local communities and help reduce clothing and furniture waste across the UK. With over 700 stores we make a huge environmental impact by preventing around 70,000 tonnes of unwanted items going to landfill every year. We receive 1.6 million items donated to our home stores and 9.8 million bags of donated items and will continue to build upon our reuse agenda in the years to come.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, Igniting Change, along with our internal EDI group, Kaleidoscope, and a growing number of employee network groups (our Affinity Groups), help us create an environment where all our colleagues and volunteers can succeed.
Why join the BHF? We have a strong culture of internal progression and will actively support you to develop your career. Our generous staff benefits include:
- 38 days annual leave (plus the option to sell leave)
- Holistic support leave of up to 10 additional days off each year
- Enhanced family policies (maternity, paternity and adoption leave)
- Wagestream - early access to your wages
- 25% staff discount
- Health cash plan (Dental, Optical, Therapies, etc)
- Access to a 24/7 Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Pension with employer contribution of up to 10%
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounts on gym memberships
- Discounts with a wide range of retailers
Ready to apply? To apply, please follow these simple steps: Click the Apply button below. You’ll be seamlessly redirected to the BHF Careers page. Complete the application form, submit your CV and upload your employment history.
What do I need to know?
- DBS Check: As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding, our process requires that successful candidates are asked to consent to a basic criminal records check.
- Inclusivity Matters: We’re committed to fairness and consistency. As part of this commitment, we use anonymous CV software during the application process.
- Act Swiftly: Early applications are encouraged. We’ll be reviewing submissions throughout the advertising period and may close the advert early.
- Sponsorship: Please note that we are unlikely to be able to sponsor applicants in respect of this role due to the role not meeting the minimum salary criteria to be eligible for sponsorship.
- Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact a member of the Recruitment team.
Sales Assistant in Bexleyheath employer: British Heart Foundation
Join the British Heart Foundation as a Sales Assistant in Bexleyheath, where you'll be part of a vibrant retail team dedicated to community engagement and sustainability. We offer a supportive work culture with ample opportunities for personal growth, generous benefits including 38 days of annual leave, and a commitment to inclusivity, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a difference while enjoying a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Assistant in Bexleyheath
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like British Heart Foundation, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like British Heart Foundation!
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Assistant in Bexleyheath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at British Heart Foundation, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at British Heart Foundation and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show British Heart Foundation that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Heart Foundation
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
