At a Glance
- Tasks: Support retail teams and deliver excellent customer service across multiple shops.
- Company: Join The Children’s Society, making a difference for young people in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, enhanced leave, pension contributions, and free counselling.
- Other info: Flexible hours, dynamic environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission that changes lives while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail or customer service, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 12.71 - 12.71 £ per hour.
Sessional Shop Assistant - Covering the Herts, Beds & Cambs Region
0 Hours Contract - As And When Required
£12.71 per hour (plus allowances and all travel expenses reimbursed)
Location: COVERING OUR Herts, Beds & Cambs Region SHOPS: Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City, St Albans, Bedford, Luton, Cherry Hinton, Sawston, Mill Rd Cambridge
Benefits:
- 28 days holiday
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
- Up to 8% pension
- Opportunities to develop and widen your skills
- Free counselling service
About us:
The Children’s Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need. We run over 100 retail shops covering the whole of the UK – every one of these shops plays a vital role in our mission to provide support to children and young adults.
About the role:
This role sits within our Retail Domain, which transforms donated goods into vital income to support young people across the UK. You’ll play a key part in our East Anglian Region covering nine shops across Herts, Beds, Cambridgeshire supporting and assisting each team to deliver excellent customer service, community engagement, and income generation. We’re looking for someone who loves working with people and has the ability to lead in the absence of the Shop Managers for the above shops where needed. We are on the hunt for someone who is able to inspire and empower people around them, someone who is friendly and positive in their approach and can instil an energy to those around them.
Key Skills and Competencies:
The required skills and competencies for this role are:
- Previous experience in retail operations or a similar customer-facing environment
- Ability to lead and support retail teams in the absence of Shop Managers
- Good communication skills to engage effectively with customers and colleagues
It would also be an advantage if you have any of the following skills and competencies:
- Strong interpersonal skills and a friendly, positive approach to working with people
- Creative ability to bring new ideas and energy to the shop environment
- Capacity to inspire and empower staff and volunteers to deliver excellent customer service
- Driving license to provide flexibility across multiple shop locations
Closing date: Midnight on Friday 12th June 2026.
Interviews: Yet to be confirmed.
Safeguarding & Recruitment:
The Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, for Youth Impact roles, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic DBS check, 2 years of employment references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.
Sessional Shop Assistant - Covering Herts, Beds & Cambs employer: The Children's Society
The Children’s Society is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people across the UK. With a supportive work culture that values community engagement and personal development, employees enjoy benefits such as 28 days of holiday, enhanced parental leave, and opportunities for skill enhancement. Working across the vibrant Herts, Beds & Cambs region, you will be part of a passionate team that transforms donated goods into vital income, all while receiving full travel expense reimbursement and access to free counselling services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sessional Shop Assistant - Covering Herts, Beds & Cambs
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Sessional Shop Assistant - Covering Herts, Beds & Cambs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to The Children's Society:Don’t forget to personalise your application for The Children's Society! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Children's Society
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that The Children's Society offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at The Children's Society and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
