STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kelly · Hermes

Kind of stupid retail question - working only 8 hrs a week?

luckylily · Gucci

LOL....This might be a dumb answer because I've never worked retail either. However, I think it is probably worth a shot. Not a lot of people want to work nights and weekend, so you might have a good chance of getting a few hours/week just because you are willing to work undesirable hours. Also, w/ the holidays coming up more places will be looking for people to work those hours.

boobaby · Kate Spade

I managed a retail store and it doesn't hurt to fill out an application, but put the hours you would be available. Most of the time I was desperate for day people, but sometimes I needed evening people, too. In fact, usually this time of year was when we would lose a few young people who went off to college.

I had a lot of employees who worked very limited or very set hours, too.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Agreeing with others... The holiday season comment from luckylily is right-on. Just be upfront and remind them of the potential benefits. I'll work evenings! I'll work "the closing shift." etc. You may not get in at the first few places you try, but someone will find your hours compatible. If they say no, remember to ask them to keep you in mind down the road.

Suasoria · Chanel

I think it's worth a try since you want shifts that are somewhat undesirable. I've had friends who worked "real jobs" Monday to Friday but continued to work at bookstores on the weekends, just because they loved books and wanted the employee discount.

Kitty · Hermes

Would you be willing to work weekends at all?

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Honestly yes I think you will be turned away if you tell them thats your availablity. They are not going to hire someone to fill in half a shift every few days. If you want to work on weekends thats another story.

Kelly · Hermes

Kitty wrote:

Would you be willing to work weekends at all?

probably not, unless I got one of my top picks and had a lot of fun there That's why I was thinking they might think I was just being dumb thinking I could get a job. I'd just be doing this kind of as a "hobby," not for the money, so I don't want to kill my weekends for it.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Now is the best time to apply because stores start to hire now for the holidays. It gives them time to get you trained before the x-mas rush. Often, they hire seasonals, then offer a few positions to the best seasonal workers.

-gd