Online job hunting for retail jobs is becoming more popular and it's no great surprise. You can job hunt in bed, with your toast, and don’t have to leave the house unless you run out of chocolate biscuits. But we're sorry to say, you're still going to have to work hard, recruiters take online job applications seriously . Here are some steps to help you successfully job hunt online.
Find your ideal job
With so many recruiters using the power of the internet to advertise their jobs, it can feel like you’re lost in a never-ending maze. Websites filled with countless retail jobs you have no interest in, while you struggle to find your dream job. Sound familiar?
There is help at hand; specialist job sites such as RetailChoice.com not only offer you a list of vacancies, but if you register with the site, you will receive regular emails of the latest jobs that match only your skills and experience so you don’t have to spend countless hours searching.
Registering with job sites is not only time saving, but also quite important if you want to be noticed, employers are increasingly using them to search for suitable candidates. By building a simple personal profile detailing your skills and experience, as well as your latest CV, you’re advertising yourself to employers without even knowing it.
Apply now
Sounds like we’re stating the obvious, when you find a job that interests you and matches your skills and experience, hit the 'apply now' button to begin your application process.
Upload your CV
After you’ve hit the apply button, you’ll be taken through to an application page. Many recruiters will ask you to attach a CV and covering letter as part of your application, so make sure they’re looking good and if you can, tailor them to the job you're applying for. Need to improve your application? Read our guide on how to prepare a CV.
Fill in the application form
Think a CV is all you need to job hunt? Afraid you’re wrong. You might be asked to complete a short personal profile, think of it like a professional version of Facebook. Treat them with the same care as your CV; these profiles make it easier for recruiters to find you and you want to impress them from the start.
Some companies prefer to customise their own online application forms for candidates to fill in. Want to know how to fill them out successfully? See our guide on how to fill out an application form to stand out.
Killer questions
Thousands of job hunters often apply for work they aren’t qualified for, in the hope they will be picked anyway. Admit it, we’ve all done it, but it has forced some employers to add additional questions to filter through candidates that don’t have the required skills specified in the job description.
If you have the skills but don’t fill this section out, you won’t be asked for an interview so be careful.
Thank you for your application
Just to put your mind at ease, many companies will email you automatically to let you know they have received your application and how long till you’ll know if you’re successful. Phew!
Telephone interviews
Many retailers now conduct short telephone interviews before calling in candidates for a face-to-face interview. Telephone interviews are likely as they are a quick way of deciding on a short-list of candidates. If you get a phone interview, don’t be nervous, just treat it like a regular interview.
Invitation to complete online tests
Just when you thought you’d done everything you possibly could, you’re asked to complete an ability test. Personality and ability testing has increased in online recruiting for all sectors of retail, whether you’re looking at manager jobs, graduate roles or sales assistants jobs, you could be subjected to them as they’re designed to cut down on applicants. See our guide on online tests and interview tasks if you’re not sure what to expect.
Invitation to interview
If you’ve successfully got through these stages, congratulations, you’ve made it to the final interview stage. If you're going for management jobs or professional job in retail, this could involve going to an assessment centre which might include personality tests, role play or presentations. Remember, preparation is everything in interviews, so read our guide on what to do before, during and after the interview.
Job offer
The best retail recruiters will keep in touch throughout the process, emailing you to let you know whether you’re through to the next stage. You will come across ones that won’t contact you unless you’re successful, it may sound rude, but with thousands of applicants to respond to, many just don’t have the time.
If you apply for a job through RetailChoice and don't hear back, contact the employer directly, not the RetailChoice website. We don't make any of the employment decisions, just advertise the positions.
If you’ve got the job, you’re likely to find out via email, a phone call and maybe a traditional letter just to confirm. Feel free to now squeal and jump around your room; just make sure no one is watching, that could be quite embarrassing.
Depending on the recruiter, online job hunting can be a stressful and lengthy process, but it’ll be worth it if you get the job right? Now put the kettle on and start applying.
Job searches:
Buyer jobs
Design jobs
Graduate jobs
Merchandiser & allocator jobs
Store management jobs
Visual merchandising jobs
Fashion jobs
Ecommerce jobs
