Sales assistant Review

My role involves selling direct to a range of customers from one offs to daily regulars and core customers. I manage warehouse stock and pack orders ready for collection as well as take in deliveries. We also track and keep up to date with our trade customers and their credit accounts with us.

My multi tasking and time management has improved greatly. I have gained the ability to manage a team and motivate staff to achieve common goals. I have grown a lot more confident talking face to face or over the phone thanks to dealing with the same people every day and having conversations.

The program has been great, I have gained a lot of new knowledge and learnt language used in the business that I was not familiar with. Having discussions with others on the course has been the most enjoyable part as you get different views and learn how other location run things differently.

The program is clearly structured. You have a monthly webinar with a tutor and your group where you are taught to meet set aims and have discussions. After each webinar we are set tasks that focus on the subject to complete. We always have our onefile portfolio that shows us what we have left to do to complete the course.

I personally get a lot of support but it will vary from store to store. I get 1 day each week to do training or coursework and am able to work if it's quiet on other days. Management are proactive in teaching new systems or procedures and are always available to answer questions.

My training provider has regular 1 to 1 video calls with me and also regular progress updates with my stores management. They are also in frequent communication by email so if they notice an area I need assistance with they sort it. My trainer is easy to reach and always available should I need them.

I have been taught techniques to help in sales and keeping customers happy. We have been shown how to be a step above our competitors and also who our competitors are. You get a feel for the bigger picture which helps me to do my part better. It has also given me more confidence in my ability and knowledge.

The only thing like this would be the Screwfix Live event which is a big convention held each year by our company. Only select people are nominated by managers or asked to go and I had the chance to attend last year. You are there for 3 days in a paid for hotel with meals and drinks paid for you and we spend the day running the convention.

Yes

The atmosphere is different to working in a warehouse or a store as it is a mix of both. You get interaction with customers and can build a rapport with regulars, and if you want to step away from people for a bit you can do warehouse work. The stores are small so the team is a close group and we all support each other.

Don't be worried if you don't know about electrics or plumbing, you build product knowledge by being here and getting involved. It cab be a lot of running around some days but it certainly keeps you healthy. Show your personality, I know in our store the management look for people with character that will go well with our crazy team.