Job at American Apparel

[toshi]

Hey, I want to apply for a job at American Apparel and I have a few questions

 

There are 3 jobs available in my store they are:

 

Assistant Manager

 

Key Holder

 

Visual Merchandiser

 

 

I'm just wondering If anyone knows what experience is needed for these jobs as I'd to apply since they're a step up in progression from my job now which is a sales advisor, so rather than going from sales advisor from where I work now to sales advisor at American Apparel it would be better If I could go a step higher.

 

There's not much info online about the experience needed really, so I'm hoping that someone here works there maybe.

 

Also would you apply in person? I'm thinking it might be better as they ask for a photo so obviously looks are important and I feel I'd do better in person.

 

Also what would be the best thing to wear to give in a CV and attend an interview. I'm a boy by the way.

 

Thanks

[TheVirginThotty]

Did u do management in school? That's usually what's needed a degree / certificate in management for assistant manager x-x...idk what a key holder i'ss lol

[TheVirginThotty]

Best thing to wear always something professional a covering your knee pencil skirt and a nice blouse with some sleeves if ur a girl always dress professionally no matter where the interview is

[Vixen]

A key holder is the acting member of the management team when the store manager and assistant manager are not in the store. He is trained on all operational functions that the store manager and assistant manager are trained on, including opening and closing the store, administering returns and store credit, setting sales goals, and dividing tasks amongst sales associates. He is also expected to be the link between the management team and the sales associates, helping management to accomplish important tasks such as regular store cleanings, merchandising, and motivating employees on the sales floor to help exceed goals. Previous retail experience is necessary for this position.

[toshi]

Did u do management in school? That's usually what's needed a degree / certificate in management for assistant manager x-x...idk what a key holder i'ss lol

 

 

Best thing to wear always something professional a covering your knee pencil skirt and a nice blouse with some sleeves if ur a girl always dress professionally no matter where the interview is

 

I've worked in fashion before and its a little bit different in some shops, they actually prefer you to go dressed in more casual clothes, like you would wear for work. I think AA would be the same, I'm just trying to find out what a good outfit would be.

 

A key holder is the acting member of the management team when the store manager and assistant manager are not in the store. He is trained on all operational functions that the store manager and assistant manager are trained on, including opening and closing the store, administering returns and store credit, setting sales goals, and dividing tasks amongst sales associates. He is also expected to be the link between the management team and the sales associates, helping management to accomplish important tasks such as regular store cleanings, merchandising, and motivating employees on the sales floor to help exceed goals. Previous retail experience is necessary for this position.

 

I've got retail experience, quite a bit actually, its just sales advisor experience though, do you think that would be enough for that position.

 

I'm thinking, Key Holder would be the best one to apply for maybe as its a step under Assistant Manager I think. I'm not sure about Visual Merchandiser though, I'm thinking though in my work now I do merchandising as part of my role sometimes.

[TheVirginThotty]

I've worked in fashion before and its a little bit different in some shops, they actually prefer you to go dressed in more casual clothes, like you would wear for work. I think AA would be the same, I'm just trying to find out what a good outfit would be.

 

 

I've got retail experience, quite a bit actually, its just sales advisor experience though, do you think that would be enough for that position.

 

I'm thinking, Key Holder would be the best one to apply for maybe as its a step under Assistant Manager I think. I'm not sure about Visual Merchandiser though, I'm thinking though in my work now I do merchandising as part of my role sometimes.

 

Good luck! And yeah keyholder imo is the best choice for you atm.. smile a lot and speak intelligently, be confident and stand/sit tall :D

[iv7]

I'm thinking, Key Holder would be the best one to apply for maybe as its a step under Assistant Manager I think. I'm not sure about Visual Merchandiser though, I'm thinking though in my work now I do merchandising as part of my role sometimes.

 

 

You're basically a full time supervisor on the floor directing other sales associates and helping out if they have new hires, since you're always on the floor and management sometimes or generally isn't. Generally, a few months of sales experience and maturity <--- is enough for a key holder/supervisor position.

 

Assistant management takes a bit more experience and is quite a bit "easier", especially in high end stores. I could just sit in the back of the store and handle emails/corporate and only half the time be on the floor handling sales, making sure the store is good visually, etc. Probably takes 1-2 years of experience and 6+ months of key holder/supervisor experience.

 

Visual merchandiser, I don't have experience in but they handle the store visually, like windows. Handling emails between corporate and manager to make sure what looks the company/corporate wants to push, they will put on the floor with mannequins or at the window. Less of a sales role here.

 

Best of luck!

[toshi]

You're basically a full time supervisor on the floor directing other sales associates and helping out if they have new hires, since you're always on the floor and management sometimes or generally isn't. Generally, a few months of sales experience and maturity <--- is enough for a key holder/supervisor position.

 

Assistant management takes a bit more experience and is quite a bit "easier", especially in high end stores. I could just sit in the back of the store and handle emails/corporate and only half the time be on the floor handling sales, making sure the store is good visually, etc. Probably takes 1-2 years of experience and 6+ months of key holder/supervisor experience.

 

Visual merchandiser, I don't have experience in but they handle the store visually, like windows. Handling emails between corporate and manager to make sure what looks the company/corporate wants to push, they will put on the floor with mannequins or at the window. Less of a sales role here.

 

Best of luck!

 

Thanks for that, would you recommend applying in person? And any ideas on an outfit? Also do you work at AA or are you an Assistant Manager somewhere else? 

[iv7]

Thanks for that, would you recommend applying in person? And any ideas on an outfit? Also do you work at AA or are you an Assistant Manager somewhere else? 

 

I was Associate/Supervisor for a few years during high school/college at Ferragamo.

 

Some tips:

1. don't dress fashion forward, as in like what people wear shopping at AA or how their mannequins are dressed. go professional. there's a lotta bad sorta....experiences in retail that managers have had, so always go professional and show maturity, with of course, being easy to talk to.

2. Can either apply in person or email resume/CV. I'd recommend in person so that they at least see you and immediately probably will be asked to fill out paper app, which in some cases might make your app go faster cos then it's immediate response if they want to set up an interview if manager is there.

3. At the interview, prepare some "stories" about your experiences in retail. Prepare like: angry customer, long term repeat customer that likes you, favorite experience, why you're a team player. Talk about these experiences and just say things like, oh I make my goals and also use words such as Achieve because it does...make a difference in interviews.

 

They're looking for a key holder, so stress some things you accomplished from your work experience. Be sure to be mature since they're looking for someone full time to be there to open/close of each day and be able to sorta lead associates. GL!