What are the chances of me getting a job in retail

[subwaysaladfan]

Or anything other than cleaning?

I'm 35 and have no qualifications didn't even make it to the end of school.

My jobs in the past have been..cleaning, factory work, dinner lady, housekeeper.

Dd starts nursery in January and I'm all geared up to go back to work part time, but I suffer with sciatica and a bad back so really don't want to go back to house cleaning because of this.
I'd really fancy a retail job and I've just found one that is in my local argos 9am-1pm Mon/tues/Thursday/Friday plus overtime if wanted, it's perfect and would suit me down to the ground. But what chance have I got with no qualifications on paper I don't want to look a fool applying for a job when I'm more suited to cleaning?

OP go for it.
When you do your application focus on the skills that you have that the employer will want.
Trustworthy. Surely you have been a cleaner and provide evidence and examples for that.
Good costumer service. Examples from dinner lady job
Good team work. Examples from your factory work
Time keeping, follow directions, initiative....
Go for it!

Worth a try. However it might be worth trying to get maths/english at level 2 to expand opportunities

What Autumn said.

I employed someone last year in an admin role when she had no previous experience (she wasn't young) but she was able to relate her previous jobs to the person spec and demonstrate how keen she was to start a new career. I gave her a chance because I liked her and the job was learnable for someone with a bit about them. She's been brilliant.

At age 35 most people don't have their school certificates anyway and in a job like retail, they're hardly likely to demand them, or at least they didn't when I worked in shops.

However, if you're suffering with your back are you sure it's the right job for you?

Most of it will be spent on your feet.

You won’t know until you try!Also, at this time of year, there’s often short-term Christmas jobs, so maybe also try and get one of those, to build up relevant experience.

On your job application, tailor your experience to retail. Ie. Customer service, reliable, working with people, team player etc.

Agree with Worra, retail work is hard on your back, apart from your lunchbreak you will be on your feet for your shift.
Argos? You will have to lug products from the warehouse to the customer too.

My teen who is still at school was looking for part time job.
Just walked in off the street and secured p/t job with major retailer.
No interview quick 5 minute chat a days induction and he secured a job.
There are jobs out there.
Look smart be enthusiastic (but realistic re. your skills) and don't discount the transferable skills you have from time at home eg organisation management and planning.

OP, just apply online. I've just taken a job in retail with the parent company of Argos. Application was quick and simple, didn't have to provide anything regarding qualifications. Found out instantly that I was successful and was offered selection of interview times via automated email.
Theres a lot of work out there at the minute both seasonal and permanent.

Only thing I would add is that Argos pays min wage. Sainsburys pay 1.20 more than min wage. So do check out the Sainsburys jobs website.

Good Luck!!

Thank you all, I'm on my feet all day anyway as I am a mum of 5, house cleaning is so tough I did it for 8 years and it's a killer. I know with retail your on your feet but I am anyway.

I'll give it a shot I haven't got anything to lose just don't want to be laughed at when they see my cv and I don't have any experience.

They won't laugh at you. They will want hard working, reliable and people friendly employees - you hit that nail on the head with your previous cleaning position.

Im a manager in retail and do a lot of interviewing.... im not bothered by qualifications, id much rather someone have good people skills and be reliable than have some old english or maths gcse!

Go for it OP, try to be confident, smile and if you cant think of an answer to a question please dont be afraid to ask for a bit of time to think....why dont you jot some examples down then if you go blank you can refer to your notes. I guarantee the interviewer wont mind, it shows that youve prepared for the interview and really want the job.

@subwaysaladfan that ass the beauty of it for me. They didn't ask for a CV (as I said earlier, I work for the parent company, but think the application process is similar across the board)

*was not ass 🤦‍♀️

Go for it. A lot of retail places offer qualifications nowadays as on the job training. Almost like an apprenticeship (but not always apprenticeship wages) so it comes with maths and English level 1 or 2 as standard. If that was something you were interested in, maybe mention it in the interview.

Argos being such a big company will be paying into the apprenticeship levy pot so will more than likely offer this. But even if you're not interested, they wouldn't offer it if they were fussy over peoples past qualifications. Just show willing to work hard and a friendly face and that's all that matters

Now's a perfect time to try, though. If you can get child care to cover the run up to Christmas, shops always take on new staff for the busy period and dont; expect them to be qualified necessarily. Try and get some seasonal work and apply to Argos too. Good luck.

I don't want to look a fool applying for a job when I'm more suited to cleaning?

What's that statistic? Women apply when they're 80% qualified, men when they're 20%. Go for it!

Go for it!
I'd also ask around and leave a copy of CV at local independent shops, bakery's etc.
In the meantime why don't you offer yourself for a few hours a week in a charity shop? You'll have a reference and a chance to prove you have worked with customers in a front-facing role, money handling etc.

Agree with Spied.

I'm managing a seasonal shop for a charity ( with 30 volunteers ) - I had a lot of retail experience but the job spec said no experience needed, I'm hoping this will help my CV so I can move forward in retail and maybe gain a job in the charity sector.

Def look at volunteering if this job doesn't work out.

Good Luck!

I used to work in retail - it’s a min wage job so in the same sort of category as what you’ve done in the past. I don’t know why you’re doubting whether it’s achievable.

My DS is at University and just got a P/T job with a large fried chicken retailer .

I said to him to apply but he had no retail or food experience ......but he got it .

Go for it .

DD managed to get a retail job last year with zero experience. A positive, can do attitude will go a long way. You have nothing to lose by applying for it.

Good luck

What about care work? New techniques and equipment mean much less physical strain re; lifting etc.

I've worked for large retailers and have never been asked for my cv or qualifications. I work for a large fashion retailer now and again haven't been asked . They judge you on you from what I can tell nowadays although I offered my cv ..
as long as you are literate and can count then you'll be fine .. ( there is surprisingly a lot to learn and remember in retail )
Go for it though .. nothing to lose !

Not sure if retail is best bet with a bad back. Hours on your feet and often having to do heavy lifting/moving of stock!

Have you thought about admin/clerical in the NHS? No lifting or hours on your feet.