Retail Ready Slides RETAIL READY
Mastering the Art of the Job Interview
Session 1
Retail Careers
What does your resume really say?
It's a First Impression
It tells the boss if you are organized and pay attention to details.
Your Work Story
It shows your experience and how long you stay at a job.
Your Skills
Can you use a register? Are you good with people? This is your proof.
"A resume is an advertisement for YOU. It's your ticket to get an interview!"
The Email Test
Unprofessional
Professional
Keep it simple: Name + Work/Jobs/Email
Before You Go...
Research
What does the store sell? Who shops there? Know their products!
Dress Ready
Clean, ironed clothes. Look like you already work there!
Plan the Trip
How long will it take? Arrive exactly 10 mins early.
The Interview Kit
3 Copies of your Resume
Photo ID (State ID or School ID)
A working pen and notepad
List of 3 References
Pro Tip:
Carry everything in a clean folder or professional bag. Never bring loose or folded papers to an interview!
Interview Etiquette
DO...
Make eye contact
Smile and be polite
Speak clearly
Listen carefully
DON'T...
Check your phone
Use slang or swear
Chew gum or eat
Arrive late
Top Retail Questions
1. "Tell me about yourself."
Focus on your school history, work skills, and your interest in retail!
2. "Why do you want to work at this store?"
Mention what you like about their products or how you shop there.
3. "How do you handle a difficult customer?"
Stay calm, listen to the problem, and offer help or get a manager.
Finish Strong
1
Say "Thank You" before you leave the store.
2
Send a "Thank You" email within 24 hours.
3
Follow up in 1 week if you haven't heard back.
Thank You Example:
"Hi [Manager Name], thank you for interviewing me today! I really enjoyed learning about [Store Name]. I hope to hear from you soon."
* Fill in the manager and store name before sending!
The Golden Rule of the Register
Accuracy First
It's better to be slow and correct than fast and wrong. Count money twice!
The "Last Moment"
You are the last person the customer sees. Leave them with a smile!
"Hello! Did you find everything okay today?"
Practice saying this until it feels natural!
What would you do?
The Scenario:
"You are walking to the back of the store and you see a shirt has fallen on the floor. It is NOT your department."
Pick it up and fix it!
Retail is a team sport . If you see something that needs fixing, don't wait for someone else to do it. Bosses love "Initiative."
"Thank you for calling..."
"Thank you for calling [Store Name]. This is [Your Name]. How can I help you today?"
Speak Slow
The phone lines can be fuzzy.
Have a Pen
Ready to take notes or a message.
Ask First
Ask a manager before putting them on hold.
Dress for the Part
YES (Professional)
Polo Shirt
Khaki Pants
Closed Shoes
Clean Hair
NO (Wait for Later)
Ripped Jeans
Flip Flops
Hoodies
Dirty Clothes
The "Uniform" Secret
If the store has a uniform, you must wear it exactly how they ask. This shows you follow rules!
Retail Ready Teacher Guide RETAIL READY
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson Duration: 90-120 Mins
Pacing & Facilitation
Topic Materials Teacher Notes Resumes & Email Slides 1-3, Workbook 1-2 Discuss how an unprofessional email creates a bad first impression. Prep & Research Slides 4-5, Workbook 4-5 Encourage students to look up stores they actually visit. Interview Skills Slides 6-8 & 12, Workbook 6 Practice "The Handshake" and "The Exit Statement." Retail Realities Slides 9-11, Scenario Cards Use Cards for role-play. Focus on initiative and safety.
Using the Scenario Cards
These cards help students think critically about workplace challenges.
Role-Play: Have one student be the "Frustrated Customer" and one be the "Calm Employee."
The Manager Test: Discuss: "When do you handle it yourself vs. when do you call for help?"
Mock Interview Rubric
Criteria Excellent (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Beginning (1) Appearance Professional attire; neat. Neat; mostly professional. Casual; wrinkled clothes. Unprofessional attire. Communication Clear; great eye contact. Clear; mostly eye contact. Quiet; little eye contact. Mumbles; no eye contact. Content Detailed examples used. Good answers; mostly clear. Vague or very short. Unable to answer.
Modification Tip
For students with higher support needs, focus role-play on Slide 11 (Phone) as a scripted activity. Use the Scenario Cards as visual prompts for group sorting instead of role-play.
Retail Ready Workbook RETAIL
READY
My Interview Workbook
Name
Date
What's Inside?
The Professional Email Lab
Resume Secrets
Interview Question Practice
The Final Readiness Quiz
Retail Success Series
01
1. THE PROFESSIONAL FIRST LOOK
Part A: The Email Lab
A professional email is usually just your Name .
Unprofessional
Professional
Create your job-search email:
@email.com
Part B: Resume Secrets
What does your resume tell a boss? Check the 3 most important things:
My favorite video games
If I arrive to work on time
If I can use a cash register
How many pets I have
My past work experiences
The high school I went to
Retail Success Series
02
2. QUESTION PRACTICE
1. "Tell me about yourself."
My school, my skills, and why I want to work.
2. "Why do you want to work here?"
What I like about the store or their clothes/food/items.
3. "How do you handle a hard customer?"
Listen, stay calm, and ask a manager for help.
Retail Success Series
03
3. FINAL PREP
The "Pack My Bag" List
3 Copies of Resume
Reference List
A Working Pen
Notebook
Photo ID
Breath Mints
1
BEFORE: Research
Look up the store website. Find out what they sell.
2
BEFORE: Look Professional
Clean shoes and iron your shirt. Look like a store employee!
3
AFTER: The Last Word
Smile and say "Thank you for your time" before you leave.
4
AFTER: The Follow-Up
Send a professional "Thank You" email within 24 hours.
Interview Pro Worksheet PRO OR NO?
Interview Etiquette Skills
NAME:
DATE:
Instructions: Read each behavior. If it is Professional , draw a check . If it is Unprofessional , draw an X.
Checking your phone for texts during the interview.
Making eye contact and smiling when you meet the manager.
Chewing gum or eating a snack while you talk.
Sitting up straight and not slouching in your chair.
Using slang words like "bruh" or swearing.
Listening carefully before you start to answer.
Arriving at the store 10 minutes early.
Saying "Thank you for your time" at the end.
Retail Ready Series
First Impressions Matter!
Mock Interview Feedback Worksheet Mock Interview
Practice Partner Feedback Form
STUDENT NAME:
INTERVIEWER:
The Questions Interviewer: Rate the response
1. "Tell me about yourself."
Great Answer
Okay
Needs Work
2. "Why do you want to work here?"
Great Answer
Okay
Needs Work
3. "How do you handle a difficult customer?"
Great Answer
Okay
Needs Work
Etiquette Check
Eye Contact
1
2
3
4
5
Clear Voice
1
2
3
4
5
Sitting Still
1
2
3
4
5
Politeness
1
2
3
4
5
1 = Needs Practice 5 = Ready for Work!
Partner Advice
Retail Ready Series • Peer Practice Sheet
Retail Ready Keys v2 Retail Ready: Master Key
Teacher Answer & Facilitation Guide
Workbook Page 2
Resume Secrets (Check 3):
If I arrive to work on time
If I can use a cash register
My past work experiences
Dress Code (P6)
YES: Polo, Khakis, Dress Shoes, Belt
NO: Ripped Jeans, Flip Flops, Hoodie
Scenario Cards: Best Practices
01 Out of Stock:
Check back room; offer to call other store locations.
02 Team Trouble:
Help customer first; talk to teammate/boss later.
03 Safety First:
Stay with spill; ask another person to get sign.
04 The Return:
Stay calm; explain policy; call manager for decision.
05 I'm Not Sure:
"Great question! Let me check the label or ask a pro."
06 The Wrong Tag:
Take to manager immediately; do not sell for wrong price.
07 Closing Time:
Politely refuse entry: "I'm sorry, we are closed now."
08 The Compliment:
Smile and thank them; point them to manager.
Interview Pro Key
Phone
X
Eye Contact
✓
Gum/Snack
X
Posture
✓
Slang
X
Listen
✓
Early
✓
Thanks
✓
End of Master Answer Key
Retail Scenario Cards Retail Scenario Cards
Group Discussion & Role-Play Activity
SCENARIO 01
Out of Stock
"A customer wants a specific pair of blue sneakers in Size 10. You check the shelf and they are not there."
What do you do?
SCENARIO 02
Team Trouble
"Your coworker is texting on their phone in the corner while there is a line of 5 customers waiting to checkout."
What do you do?
SCENARIO 03
Safety First
"You are walking to get a mop and you see a large puddle of spilled milk in the middle of the grocery aisle."
What do you do?
SCENARIO 04
The Return
"A customer is angry. They want to return a blender for cash, but they don't have a receipt and it's already used."
What do you do?
SCENARIO 05
I'm Not Sure
"A customer asks you if the shampoo you are stocking is 'Color Safe'. You have no idea what that means."
What do you do?
SCENARIO 06
The Wrong Tag
"You are stocking clothes and find a $100 jacket that has a $5 sale sticker on it. You know the price is wrong."
What do you do?
SCENARIO 07
Closing Time
"The store closed 10 minutes ago. You are locking the front door and a customer knocks loudly, asking to 'just get one thing'."
What do you do?
SCENARIO 08
Good Work
"A customer tells you that you were the most helpful person they've met today and wants to tell your manager."
What do you do?
Instructions: Cut out these cards. Use them for role-play or class discussion on "Retail Readiness".
Retail Ready Keys v3 Retail Ready: Master Key
Teacher Answer & Facilitation Guide
Workbook P2
Resume Secrets (Check 3):
If I arrive to work on time
If I can use a cash register
My past work experiences
Dress Code (P6)
YES: Polo, Khakis, Shoes, Belt
NO: Ripped Jeans, Flip Flops, Hoodie
Scenario Cards Guide
01 Out Stock: Check back; call other store.
05 Unsure: Check label; ask pro. No guessing.
02 Team: Help customer first; talk later.
06 Tag: Take to manager. Fix price.
03 Spill: Stay with spill. Warn others.
07 Closing: Politely refuse entry. Give hours.
04 Return: Explain policy. Call manager.
08 Compliment: Smile. Point to manager.
Workbook Page 9: The Quiz Key
Alex_Work_Jobs@email.com
You and your skills
Early: TRUE Texting: FALSE
Answers should mention being able to answer questions or showing you are a good worker.
Ask a manager if I can help (Initiative)
Interview Pro Master List
Phone
X
Eye Contact
✓
Gum/Snack
X
Posture
✓
Slang
X
Listen
✓
Early
✓
Thanks
✓
End of Master Answer Key