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Getting your fist job can be a hassle especially in a field where you actually have to know something other than how to flip a burger. One thing you can try is offer to work for free for a week to show them you are serious and want to work, and to give them a chance to test your knowledge on a daily basis.

I didn't get paid as an intern...

Working free? Isn't that the same as an internship?

Not at all! Internships generally are "foot in the door" type jobs for their respective career fields but they most certainly pay and most of the times have full benefits too depending on the career field. They are usually called internships because they want people who have zero to little experience they can train into the job and the job usually has a specified time period, (i.e. like 6 months that you would work for them), and typically at the end of the specified time period they hire on the ones whom they want permanently and give them a better salary. Internships are known for long hours, hard work, and low pay, but great potential payoffs, especially in crowded career fields.

HTH,

Koi

Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.

Remember to hook a bruthah up.


Also, always bad talk the annoying man with the high pitched laugh behind his back with your co-workers. Those are the most satisfying parts of the job.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 28-Dec-2004 23:45

Oh Nice Nick!!! I had my fingers crossed! My advice would pretty much be the same as Jorge's.

Important things to remember...
Make sure you are ALWAYS doing something, especially if the boss is in. Organize shelves, scrape (that spelling doesn't look right ) a tank, sweep an aisle, bag up food, do SOMETHING. The bosses realllllly hate it when you're just standing around waiting for customers.
The customers...you will learn that there are ignorant customers, friendly customers, stubborn customers...they come in all sizes and shapes. You can't not let them get a bala or irridescent because they have a ten gallon tank. You can calmly explain to them, that, even though it may be small and cute now, it will not always stay that way. You are going to have customers that will insist on doing things their way. Just be honest with them, and tell them the truth. They wont always listen, but don't get discourage.
For example, last week, I had a customer who insisted on putting a fire mouth in their smallish community tank, filled with tiny tetras and such. But I had another one, who calmly listened about my advice to the bloodparrots and silver dollars she had in her small hex tank.

Uggg...I got more stuff to say but I'm not feeling good atm. Gimme a little while.
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Last edited by FerretFanatic at 28-Dec-2004 19:15

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Congratulations Nick

Congrats,

They probably figure they'll teach you what you don't already know.

I'd rather start with someone who shows an interest and is eager than someone who's done it a long time and thinks they know everything already.

People who think they know everything really annoy those of us who actually do.

Mike

Good news, folks. I've got the job! I just need to call back tomorrow to get things settled and whatnot, but I'm all set otherwise. I just had to fill out an application, talk briefly to the manager, and I was accepted. The unsettling part is that they didn't ask me any fish questions at all. Is that creepy, or am I expecting too much?
Anyways, I'm lucky that they need extra help. It seems that they are a little low on staff. Hopefully I will get the hang of things quickly, so that I can enjoy my new job.

Working free? Isn't that the same as an internship?

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Working free is against the law. Besides, they would never expect you to do that for them.

Books... just be the nice polite person you always appear to be here at FishProfiles. AND SMILE!!

From what I have seen of your actions around here it would be in their best interest to have you aboard.

Tomorrow, I'm going to see a large fish/pet store about a job. This is the only place in my area that will hire people below eighteen years of age, and I'm really excited about the prospect of working there. This will be my first job too, if I land it.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow, but I'm nervous as well. Here's the deal: If I do get the job working in the store's fish section, what do I need to know? I would love any reminders, tips, and/or pointers that you guys have for the interview itself (if they give an oral one), and for the job. Like, do I need to know just the basics about cycling, or must my knowledge be in-depth? Help would really be appreciated, as this might just be my big break.

Last edited by sirbooks at 28-Dec-2004 09:20

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

All right, thanks for the help so far! Hopefully they will be hiring. The last time I went, they had a sign on the door advertising that they wanted fish hobbyists. I don't know if they found who they wanted or not, but I will try to make them want me.

Any further replies will be welcomed! I leave for the store in about 15 minutes.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Don't necessarily have to know the details, but the basics and how to explain them in a non-threatening and understandable way (including how it would look on a graph of test results). It's also vitally important to know about compatibility... not just fish, but other aquatic things like inverts and amphibians that the LFS may also sell. That's what I learned from where I worked.

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sirbooks

Over the years I have worked in several retail stores and some were very high pressure sales.

Here are some tips that could help.

Be polite at all times regardless of the situation, if it looks like getting out of hand dond be afraid to ask fo assistance.

Never ask the old "Can I help you" the answer must be either yes or no. Ask clearly "Is there any thing you are particulary interested in?". This usually starts a conversation and the sale is yours.

If the store is busy even while you are serving a customer acknowledge the future customers as quickly as possible.

As previously stated quickly locate all the infomatiom the store has on hand.

Never be afraid to say "Sorry I do not know" If the answer is not available at the store ask the customer to return later when you will either have a answer or where they can locate the answer.

At your young age customers will have to respect you for your manners, (Which will never be a problem) and your knowledge.

All the best SB

PS dont forget FP is an excellent source of info for beginners or old hands.

On the lighter side write down all the funny incidents of the day this will help if you have a stressfull customer.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

I agree with mike. Just be calm for the interview. TELL THE TRUTH. If you make something up, you'll be in trouble trying to make up for it. I bet they'll just ask you what you know about fish, and tell them. Be truthful. I you know a lot about one thing but not much about something else, say so. Tell them you love to learn about the hobby (the fact that you are on this site proves so).

Also, job wise, don't be affraid to admit you don't know something. Most of the time, when I have customers that really care how much I do or don't know, they tend to be rude customers who are "know it alls" and don't really want my help anyway.

Know where things are. Even if you don't know everything, make yourself look a little smarter by at least knowing where to go to find something out. Make sure there is a book on hand in the store where you can look up an answers. Also, get to know the books. Know what books has what (E.G., this book is good for cichlids, but not bottom feeders, where as this book is great for bottom feeders).

Don't be afraid to look something up with the customer. At my store, we have a small library with couches so it is easy to sit down with them, but even just at a counter is fine.

Also, if you are looking something up, you can strike up another conversation with them (AKA, multitasking). Don't just stare at a book looking for something. Flip through the pages and talk to them about something relevant.

Tips: Notice what customers are doing, if one customer keeps going back to the same item, say, "Do you have any questions about.... (this fish/food/product/etc)?" Basically, its a little more personable that "Can I help you?" Basically, react to how customers are acting. For example, if someone is staring at a tank, really carfully, then compairing decorations to a tank, basically looking really interested in a certian tank, go up to them and say something along the lines of, "Looking to set up an aquarium?" This will open up a conversation most of the time where you can get to know them a little more.

These are just some suggestions. If you want, we can talk in chat and AIM for some more stuff, but I just wanted to give you some good stuff. in short, good luck

Knock'em dead Books,

Just answer their ?s.

If you don't know, say you don't know. If you have a guess, say it's a guess.

Relax, be yourself.

Smile.

If a ? occurs to you ask it but don't look for ? to ask.

Don't be shy about your experience, tell'em about your hobby. How long, what you keep, what you've bred, raised. What types of fish are your favorites, what types you're interested in. Books you've read.

Tell'em how much you'd like to work with fish.

Good luck, Mike

Wouldn't know ^_^ I did get stopped today at my LFS and the guy asked when I was going to apply (I laughed at him because I wasn't 18, he informed me after learning I was 16 that the minute I turn 17 and apply he'll talk to the manager)

Last edited by Sandy02 at 27-Dec-2004 21:22

When I got hired, they basically just jotted down my info and showed me around. Then asked me if knew the basics and such.

I doubt they'll give you an in depth quiz, if they did, probably 1/2 of the employees at the LFS's wouldnt be employees.