What qualifications and skills do I need to work in retail, sales and customer services?
Working in retail needs a strong customer service ethic and excellent communication, negotiation, organisation and planning skills. If you already have some work experience in the retail sector this will help you to demonstrate these competences when you write your job application. Programmes such as Skillnets in the Republic of Ireland and Skillsmart Retail in Northern Ireland have done much research on the skills needed within retail. In the UK the Consortium of Retail Training Companies (CORTCO) identified four key competences required of graduates entering this field: business focus, personal effectiveness, relationship management and critical thinking. These competences encompass a range of skills, including customer service skills, flexibility, leadership ability and commercial awareness. There are excellent opportunities for graduates who demonstrate entrepreneurial capability. Retail managers seen to be operating stores very successfully are often offered franchise opportunitie
