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[font color="#800080"]Sorry for not answering, I've been really busy. To those of whom I have not had a chance to appriciate, thanks of all of the advice! I'm going to copy all of your replies and print them out so I can study them for a while. You all gave wonderful and helpful answers!

Things are looking good in the situation, and I'm sure I'll get the job. I'm come to know a few of the employees at the store as well as the manager. I'm a tad bit shy when it comes to starting conversations, but I've been breaking the ice by asking for snails! (For my dwarf puffer, Hero)

BTW, for anyone who wishes to know, I am 17 years old.[/font]

[font color="#800080"]Sorry for not posting in forever, it's been really hectic lately with my new JOB!!! I got it after all! When I got that phone call back from Jennifer (the manager) saying that I was hired if I was still interested, I nearly DIED! In fact, I think I passed out for a few moments just to regain my thoughts and calm down. I screamed and jumped and made a real scene. Thank goodness I was in my bedroom by myself!

Anyway, I won't be able to do many more updates now that I'm offically employed (yeehaw!), plus I have lost more to do (joining and art club and running a few websites). I'm planning out my new 55g tank as we speak, but it won't be a dream come true for some time. At least not before I get furniture for my apartment, buy a decent computer desk, a few graphics programs and a tablet.

My fish friends are getting used to the idea that they have to be by themselves all the time now I hardly have time for them anymore except their weekly water change, routine maintainence, and of course feeding them. Aragorn the betta now has a brand new 5g all to himself, so he's doing better than ever.

That's all for now. I'm getting used to my new life and the responsibilities that come with it. But one thing's for darn sure. I'll do whatever I can to educate those people who come in wanting an oscar for a 10g. Even if they won't listen, I'll do all that I can. Information is what these people need (and I'm sure everyone here will agree) and my boss actually encourages me to help our customers make the right decisions. I know that if she wants me to protect the well-being of our animals as well as the respect for our patrons, then I am definitely working in the right place!

That's all for now sports fans. Later![/font]

When it comes to dealing with customers, many tend to get upset if you ask them too many questions. I ask what size their tank is and if they have fish in it now what they are. If they've had problems with the tank before (algae, ammonia spikes, disease, etc), they'll probably bring it up once you get them talking and you can answer questions on that at that point. Those two questions help me steer them toward fish that are appropriate for their tank size and denizens.

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it's not just the pet store employees who are uneducated when it comes to fish. i used to work for a pet store and from time to time i've had many people who, in a perfect world would never be allowed to own a pet.

i remember talking to a customer about her sick betta. she described her betta's sickness as a cold and wants medication in the form of blue crystals. i told her nothing like that existed and went on to question her about what kinda of food she's been feeding her betta. She replied, "i haven't fed him anything in 4 months. he eats the roots of my plant"

enough said.

BTW, a word of advice. Any bad advice you give will come back to haunt you. Customers DO come back and look for the person who gave them bad information, and they DO get angry and demand refunds, which are usually not possible.

I think all of you prospective LFS employees would be surprised to find out how little working there has to do with customers. I spend most of my time algae wiping and ignoring customers in order to finish my work in time.

Not a bad job though, I suppose. I just got an "employee certificate" which allows me to get 40% of my entire purchase. I can only use it once though. I'm thinking of getting some expensive CF fixtures though.

Anyhow, I would want service from an employee who is fast and good at catching fish. Anyone who really needs info from an LFS employee hasn't discovered the power of fishprofiles.com. However, if you are asked a question that you are not sure about, don't make up an answer. Just say you don't know.

1. Ask if the customer has every had a fish aquarium, if not suggest some reading first and research on the internet before buying.
2. Take the time to find out the location of their tank etc and spend time going over each piece of equipment.
3. Don't sell them fish and an aquarium the same day.

Don't be too much of a suck up. lol. Be nice but don't over-do it. I mean come on it's just a job at a pet store, not like some big company.

Good tip

Ask the customer, if there is certain fish in the tank they were eying already. Let them choose the fish. One thing that really irks me is when an employee goes to net the fish and tries to net them quick, without asking you which one you want..

The Amazon Nut...

Be very very polite.

Arrive early.

Make sure the manager knows you are concerned about the wellbeing of the animals and educating prospective animal owners about how they should be treated.

Worked for me. Good luck!

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-Dress nicely. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking 'I won't be dressing up for the job so why should I for the interview', but it shows you care and are willing to put forth the effort.

-Be on time.

-Be prepared to answer questions like 'why do you want this job?', 'why do you think you'll be good at this job?', etc.

-Don't be afraid to ask questions either.

-Try to smile, relax, and be yourself.

Best of luck to you

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

[font color="#800080"]Okay, I was finally able to get an interview for next week on Sunday, and I'm so excited! Yet I am very nervous. I want to let the manager know how much this position means to me, and I don't want to screw up! Any advice on making a good first impression???[/font]

I don't work at a lfs, but this might be useful for any job:

Know your product. If you don't know enough to answer questions, admit it then find the info. It's a good idea to find out which other employees know most about that area, or at least have some books handy.

Get to know your customers. It shows you care about more than selling stuff, and it makes your job a lot more fun. It also gives you a chance to find out if your products are working well. And then you won't explain basic fish-keeping things to someone who's had fish for 20 years

Make a good first impression. This doesn't just mean your appearance (friendly and nicely dressed), but the way the shop looks.

And some things that might be useful for working in a lfs:
- don't leave dead fish in the tanks.
- know the difference between a male and a female (not just with fish, but customers too )
- learn how to catch the fish!
- recommend this website to all your customers

Hello,

I'm in the process of setting up my first tank & have been into my local pet shop for the first time & this is what I'd suggest (I also used to work in shops).

Be willing to learn which of you coleages is/are in the know & learn from them, also remember that some of the customers may know more than you so learn from them too.

As you learn more - don't talk down to customers who don't know & learn different ways of saying the same thing so that people understand (some people love jargon others hate it).

If the shop/chain is strick on its rules you must be but then again if they're not stick with what your happy with that way you've more chance of keeping your job.

Hope this helps - good luck.

Anita.

I hope it all works out for you and make sure to keep us posted

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

[font color="#800080"]If I were an employee at a pet store, what would you look for in me? The reason I ask is because I'd like to be hired at my Pets-N-Such in Ohio and I was wondering what a customer like you would look for to keep you coming back to the store. What would service be like? How would the tanks and enclosures look? Please help me get the job by giving me advice in what makes a great pet store employee!

Here are the basics of the store...
1. The store specializes in freshwater fish
2. The store also sells reptiles and small mammals
3. I'd be a newly hired (1 week) employee

Scenario:
You go to the store looking for a filter for your 20 gallon tank at home. You walk in and expect...

...What happens next? Please help me out with this! Thanks! [/font]

I used to have a job doing exactly what you want to do. Without trying to be too negative, you have to remember that the average Joe coming into a pet shop wants to leave with something, whether its a good idea or not, and dont often read up on things before they do them. Fortunately, where I used to work allowed us to refuse to sell to people, and I think any sensible pet store should do the same. I've had my share of people storming off because they couldnt get five male fighters to put in their 10 gallon oscar tank.
Another favourite question of people is about stocking, if you refuse to sell fish because you think their tank would be majorly overstock, there comes the inevitable question "how can you do it here then?". That, fortunately comes with an easy answer; "You don't have a 10,000 filtration system though, do you?"
But it can be a really enjoyable and rewarding job.
As for your question on how the tanks should look...with the exception of display tanks, they should be minimalist to say the least. It's not fun trying to net 10 neon tetras amongst 30 pieces of planted bogwood. The display tanks can be however you want them to look, as long as your manager doesnt mind you playing with them, but you wont be doing that all day. Stock needs to be on shelves in order to sell it...
When selling things, especially filtration systems, its always a good idea to know what your selling and to check that the customer understands whilst you explain it to them. I used to make a point of always getting the filter out of the box to show them exactly how it works, where the water flows, how to change the media etc. Another good point to note is to listen to what a customer tells you. the best way to persuade one customer not to do something is to tell them a horror story that happened to someone else.
So, in short, know your equipment, know your fish and their requirements and habits, smile, dont lie or guess and dont be afraid to say no.
I have no doubt that you'll really enjoy working there.

not sure if someone said this (i didnt read the whole post)
but dont be a know it all otherwise the customers might get mad! it happen one time to a employee who was being a jerk and the customer had a FIT!! so really only tell them stuff if they ask! that is what i would do!

GOOD LUCK FOR THE JOD

Hopefully you are good at netting fish. I'm so tired of fs employees who turn netting into a battle and cause major stress for the poor fish.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

If you don't know...ask someone who does. I like walking in and seeing clean tanks (bettas included) no dead fish at the sink area. That is one place to check out...the sink area...if I see dead or dying fish, meds, staff reusing nets sitting in a dirty sink, etc... I get concerned.

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If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.