Customer Advisor / Trade Counter Assistant
Location: Poole, Dorset
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
Alternating Winter Saturdays: 8:30am – 12:00pm
Salary: £30,000 - £35,000
Join Our Team!
Our client is a well-established independent heating spares merchant serving both trade and domestic customers. They're looking for a friendly, reliable and motivated Customer Advisor / Trade Counter Assistant to join the team in Poole.
If you enjoy working with people, thrive in a busy environment and take pride in delivering excellent customer service, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities of the Customer Advisor / Trade Counter Assistant:
• Answering customer telephone enquiries
• Responding to customer emails
• Serving trade and retail customers on the counter
• Booking goods in and out using Sage
• Processing customer orders and quotations
• Assisting with stock control and maintaining a tidy branch
• Providing excellent customer service at all times
What We're Looking For in a Customer Advisor / Trade Counter Assistant:
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• A positive, can-do attitude
• Good IT skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Organised with good attention to detail
• Previous trade counter, plumbing, heating or merchant experience is desirable but not essential, as full training will be provided for the right candidate.
What We Offer:
• Competitive salary (depending on experience)
• Company pension
• 20 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Full training and ongoing support
• Friendly, supportive team environment
• Long-term career opportunities within a growing independent business
If you're looking for a varied role where no two days are the same and you enjoy helping customers, we'd love to hear from you.
Benefits:
• Casual dress
• Free parking
• On-site parking
Work Location: In person
trade counter assistant, customer advisor, trades, heating, plumbing
Customer Advisor / Trade Counter Assistant in Poole employer: The Work Shop Careers
Join a well-established precision engineering company that values its employees and offers a supportive working environment. As a CNC Turner, you will benefit from long-term career prospects, an annual profit-sharing bonus, and the opportunity to work on challenging projects in the defence and aerospace sectors. With ongoing investment in people and technology, this is an excellent place for professional growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Advisor / Trade Counter Assistant in Poole
✨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 The Work Shop Careers, 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 The Work Shop Careers!
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 The Work Shop Careers, 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 The Work Shop Careers 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 The Work Shop Careers that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Work Shop Careers
✨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!
