Advice for applying to a pet store

[Eric Alan]

Hey i am applying to work at a new pet store in my town, and do you have any advice to make me stick out?

Having many years under my belt in the retail pet business, I feel very good offering up my advice here.

Making a good first impression when looking for a store position is important (as it is in any business). You don't want to stick out in a bad way. Don't go in looking like you just rolled out of bed and felt like you needed some cash so why not get a job at a pet store. You're not applying for a job on Wall Street or anything, but it's still key to present yourself well. Think to yourself - do I look and act like the kind of person my potential manager would be happy to introduce their customers to?

Secondly, EVERYONE applies at a pet store because they love animals - that's a given. If you do get an interview, think about what makes you different and be prepared to speak to that. Obviously talk about your love, but what else is there? Do you have previous retail or customer service experience? If not, what groups/teams/leadership roles have you been a part of that you can speak to that show off those qualities?

Ultimately, you're applying for a customer service job in a business that happens to sell animals and supplies. You're not applying for a job where you can play with and care for animals all day long that happens to have customers. It's those amazing people that are great with customers and pets that end up succeeding the most in this business.

Good luck to you!

Best regards,
Eric