At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in managing a busy charity shop and support a team of volunteers.
- Company: Join Helen and Douglas House, a charity dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Part-time hours with flexible scheduling and full training provided.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while gaining valuable retail and management experience.
- Qualifications: Customer service skills and a willingness to learn are essential.
The predicted salary is between 13.5 - 16.5 £ per hour.
Join us as an Assistant Shop Manager in our Summertown, Oxford shop and become an ambassador for our charity! We have a permanent part-time position available working 22.5 hours per week. You will join a busy shop and will work alongside a team of volunteers helping maximise the shop’s sales profits.
Great customer service is crucial to what we do, so previous experience of charity retail would help you hit the ground running. Full training will be provided, and we are keen to work with people that have the right attitude, so willingness to learn specific skills is equally as important as past experience.
To thrive in this role, you will need:
- A good eye for detail
- Strong organisational and IT skills
- The capability to manage volunteer teams in a variety of situations
You will be supported by the Shop Manager and Area Manager to achieve your objectives in these areas. The role will require you to work weekends on a rota basis. Flexibility is required as working patterns will change regularly, subject to the needs of the business and the levels of volunteers available to work.
We are committed to getting the best out of our applicants and employees. We have therefore made the commitment to sharing interview questions prior to interview. Should you be offered an interview, we will share interview questions with you in advance. Interviews will be conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams.
We foster a climate where team members feel able to openly question, debate and appropriately challenge their own and the practice of others; as such, we welcome new ideas and strive to constantly improve our delivery of care to our patients.
We are an equal opportunities employer and value the benefits of a diverse workforce. We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community.
Please note that everyone working for Helen & Douglas House are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Helen & Douglas House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Please contact recruitment@helenanddouglas.org.uk if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.
Read more employer: Helen and Douglas House
Helen and Douglas House is an exceptional employer, offering a fulfilling opportunity to lead a community-focused charity shop in Witney. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide comprehensive training for our staff and volunteers, fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative environment that prioritises excellent customer service and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Read more
✨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 Helen and Douglas House, 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 Helen and Douglas House!
We think you need these skills to ace Read more
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 Helen and Douglas House, 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 Helen and Douglas House 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 Helen and Douglas House that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Helen and Douglas House
✨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!
