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Work

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Original poster

I need to find work, seen a job advertised in local shop but

34 replies

Tortoise · 23/05/2011 10:48

I really don't have the confidence to work behind a till, talking to people, coping with making mistakes etc. I have big fears over making mistakes and not knowing how to deal with them combined with the pressure of a queue of customers. Shelf stacking i am sure i would be fine at! It is a small grocery shop in a small but quite busy town full of lots of people i know. Also i seem to not have the skill too see what needs doing without being told exactly what i need to do which may change if/once i got the hang of it.

So, i could do as i normally do and ignore the fact i saw this or seriously consider enquiring, but at the moment i don't feel i could do this.

In July i will be moved onto JSA because my youngest will be turning 7.

Shop work has never been something i would consider doing but i have no decent qualifications to do anything i want to do and can't get the qualification needed.

So, is there anything i can do to get the confidence to look further into this job or forget the job and keep looking for a, god knows what, different job!
I haven't worked since DS1 was born 14yrs ago (did a bit of nannying) and have been a single parent for 6yrs.

Please help!

OP posts:

DooinMeCleanin · 23/05/2011 10:51

What are you panicking about exactly? My maths is crap, my memory and attention span is that of a gnat. I work behind a till just fine. I'm not fussed on talking to people much either, but not that many people bother tbh, those who do are regulars so you get to know them.

Original poster

Tortoise · 23/05/2011 10:56

I don't really know. I am just not a confident person. Get very anxious in new situations. I have a fear of making mistakes and getting in trouble (probably stems from xps emotional abusive) and the embarrasment of getting in a flap and all confused. Then there is reduced stock, prices scanning wrong, remembering how the till works etc etc etc!

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WhoWhoWhoWho · 23/05/2011 10:59

Any job you start you will be given training and supervision.
Making a mistake scanning or somesuch is no big deal, how many times have you been stood at a till and a manager has to be called to void something or enter something properly? I know its happened lots to me! Also tills are all electronic and will tell you total, and change you need to give.

Perhaps if you had a little job you may be able to save for a part time course in something you would like to do?

EightiesChick · 23/05/2011 11:01

Yes, all those things might come up, but don't forget most transactions will be completely straightforward - you scan it in, you ask for the money, take it, job done.

This might sound silly but could you go to a supermarket or somewhere with self-service tills and role play it? Maybe if you go when it's quiet and imagine you are doing it for a customer, practice (quietly) what you would say.

When I have worked on tills, I've found that most of what you say is by rote anyway - it's a constant round of 'That'll be 9.99 please', ''would you like a bag?' 'Thanks, bye' , start again. Once you get into it it's automatic.

You can't lose much by applying. Is there absolutely nothing else going near you?

DooinMeCleanin · 23/05/2011 11:03

Tills are easy. Really easy. If you can switch on a PC you can work a till. I've worked in loads of shops and take-aways and used nearly every till ever made. The one I use now is a PC, with some sort of special software. I could operate it with my eyes shut, you get that used to it.

Everyone makes mistakes when they are new in a job. Employers expect it. Just own to upto your mistake, apologise and everything will be fine. Most bosses will be absolutely fine about it. Mine is a bit of a twat and shouts sometimes but I just mutter insults behind his back, it makes me feel better

Things don't really scan wrong. They scan the barcode and it sends it to the till. Akward shaped things where the barcode can crumple are sometimes a pain, but you get the hang of it after a couple of days.

Reduced stock has a sticker with a new barcode and the new price on it. If it's something that cannot be scanned you will have a folder, which has barcodes in for different prices, you just look up the price and scan the code.

Which shop is it? A small local shop is likely to use the old style tills where you type in the price, which you get of the little price sticker. Pricing guns are fun

Original poster

Tortoise · 23/05/2011 11:12

Thanks for replies.
I love using the self service tills in supermarkets!
It similar to co-op. Tills scan barcodes but have to be typed in if they won't scan.
I know the couple who own the shop and they seem nice.
Not seen anything else locally (i don't drive so getting to other jobs would be tricky!)
I would like to do childcare ie pre-school but from research i have done i need a placement and local preschool have no space and don't help with funding.

OP posts:

DooinMeCleanin · 23/05/2011 11:15

'Tills scan barcodes but have to be typed in if they won't scan.' - you just type in the number under the barcode and press enter. It's easy.

The first few days you will feel like there is no way in the world you will ever be able to remember everything. After a couple of weeks you will know it that will you'll be able to do it without even thinking.

Go for it. You can always do OU if you want to retrain. Or an evening course at the local college if you have childcare. Low income people get grants etc to cover Adult Learning.

Original poster

Tortoise · 23/05/2011 11:44

Thanks. I just need to be able to make myself enquire, which is the hardest st step for me!
It would be perfect time wise because it is weekdays and only 9am-2pm or 2pm-5pm so dc could go to after school club in term time. Not sure about school hols.

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EightiesChick · 23/05/2011 12:01

Role play it with a friend. Practice what you are going to say when you enquire. Write it down. You can do it.

Original poster

Tortoise · 23/05/2011 12:17

Oh, i have just thought, what if i have to have an interview? I have never been to a work interview! I have no idea what to expect!
I am talking myself into it and as fast as i do that, i talk myself out of it!
Luckily they are shut for a re-fit today so i have an excuse not to be able to go in and enquire!

OP posts:

SarahEvolution · 23/05/2011 13:05

You WILL find your confidence again....think of how confident you feel when talking to the kids or when you did in the past and try to carry that feeling with you when thinking about your new job. Don't put too much pressure on yourself & you'll do great!
Sarah

WhoWhoWhoWho · 23/05/2011 13:10

It sounds ideal in terms of working hours and a nice couple running the place. Definitely apply for it, what have you got to lose!

An interview I'd assume would be more of an informal chat for this kind of job. Emphasise how keen you are to get back to work, how you would like to work in your local community, will be reliable and eager to learn, etc.

SybilBeddows · 23/05/2011 13:25

you will be absolutely fine at it, but have you thought of volunteering in a charity shop, firstly to make it easier to get a proper shop job as you will have experience, and secondly to build your confidence?

if you do that, you will soon realise how good you actually are at it, because there are likely to be other volunteers who actually can't operate the till etc or others who can't be let near customers, and compared to those you will be fine.
(This is based on my own experience of volunteering in a charity shop; it made me realise how many basic skills I've got that I take for granted but which actually some people don't have, because charity shops often provide volunteering opportunities for people who are only just starting to develop those skills or are never really going to have them.)

Original poster

Tortoise · 23/05/2011 13:34

Charity shop (local one is lovely with a lovely lady running it who i used to dog sit for as a teen, yes dog sit lol!) would be a good idea but i really feel i have to try and make myself grab this opportunity while it is there or it maybe a while before one comes up again. I can't face signing on every two weeks come July, especially in the summer hols when i will have to drag 4 children with me!

OP posts:

SybilBeddows · 23/05/2011 14:34

yes you are right, grap the opportunity!
good luck!

Original poster

Tortoise · 23/05/2011 16:03

I had a look at the notice in the window and its alt weds and sats and I can't do Saturdays which I guess could be a problem. It's 20 hrs a wk which is perfect.

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Original poster

Tortoise · 23/05/2011 16:04

Just seen I put 2-5 I meant 12-5pm!

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Ragwort · 23/05/2011 16:06

If you are not going to apply for it why don't you try doing a bit of voluntary work in your local charity shop to build up your confidence?

Also most pre-schools would welcome voluntary help and it would be a start.

Original poster

Tortoise · 23/05/2011 20:22

I think i will ask in charity shop if I don't apply for this although I really should. I don't think this sort of chance comes up very often.

OP posts:

scarlettsmummy2 · 23/05/2011 20:28

There are also some really great programmes that you can do to help build your confidence and help you find employment and they don't affect your benefits. I actually work for one but I only work with 16 to 24 year olds, however, if you were to go to your local careers service they would be able to point you in the right direction. There will be one that caters just for single mums/ women returners to work and they are free.

scarlettsmummy2 · 23/05/2011 20:32

also, many of these programmes will also help you to gain extra qualifications such as how to work a computer etc. I teach interview technique and how to write a cv and most programmes will offer this also.

Original poster

Tortoise · 23/05/2011 21:19

I was offered a course called launch pad but times didn't fit in with train times and it didn't sound like something I could cope with due to it being a room full of strangers. It was everyday for 4 weeks. Then 4 wks placement.

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Original poster

Tortoise · 24/05/2011 10:34

I went in today but they were really busy sorting shop after yesterdays re-fit. Then I realised the notice actually said it was staff wanted in their other shop literally across the road which is a coffee shop/cafe place. Mainly do cakes and drinks I think. I think that would be better for me in a way. I might pop in later.

OP posts:

EightiesChick · 24/05/2011 21:50

Sounds good! Go on, pop in and ask them. Let us know how you get on.

Original poster

Tortoise · 24/05/2011 22:05

Thanks Eightieschick. I was brave today and spoke to one of the owners. He gave an application form and said to bring it back in as soon as possible then he would arrange to have a chat with me when i haven't got all my DC with me (i took them after school, gave me confidence!). Now i need to find 2 people for references. I think i could ask my neighbour as she has known me for years and maybe Primary school teacher/head? I helped out as school recently. Do you think those would be ok? I don't have any work based references due to not working for 14 yrs!
Very scared of next step but will get form filled out tomorrow and hand it in. This is a huge step for me.

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