Expert Advice

Need career advice on how to get started in retail? Want to take your job to the next level? Check out the following career resources to help you succeed in an industry full of endless opportunities.

 

Advice from the Top

• "Nothing replaces hard work. I think you can get anything you want in life if you are willing to work hard enough for it."
  NRFF's Retail Careers Blog Interview with Mike Marchetti, Executive Vice President of Store Operations, Finish Line
  
  
• "Retailing from Day One got in my veins."
  Retail's BIG Blog Interview with Stephen Silverstein, CEO of Spencer Gifts
  
  
• "I just love this business."
  Shop.org's Talking with Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy's; Bonus: NYT Corner Office Interview
  

• “Learn from people who are actually doing the work.”
  NYT Corner Office Interview with Brian Dunn, CEO of Best Buy
  
  
• "To me, bar none, the best part about working in retail is finding ways to help customers."
  Shop.org's Talking with Kevin Ertell, Vice President of ForeSee Results
  
  
• "What I think a great leader does ... is understand what kind of talent you have and then you help people leverage that talent so that people can achieve what they never thought they were capable of."
  NYT Corner Office Interview with David C. Novak, chairman, CEO and President of Yum Brands'
  
  
• "Retail jobs are good jobs."
  Lee Scott, former CEO of Wal-Mart
  
  
• "Retail allows me to be master of my own destiny."
  NYT The Boss Interview with Glen Senk, CEO of Urban Outfitters
  

Finding the Right Job

	Explore the numerous job opportunities in retail through our special partnership with CareerBuilder.com!
	Retail industry professionals rely on NRF SmartBrief every business day, and the National Retail Federation SmartBrief Job Board is one reason why.
	Go to the source for information about jobs in Loss Prevention, the LP information Career Center.
	Online retailing offers many exciting job opportunities, and Shop.org, NRF's digital division, is the source for up-to-the-minute eCommerce job listings.

 

Landing the Job

Articles from CareerBuilder.com

How to Handle Sticky Interview Situations Too Old to Be Hired? Mistakes You Made in School That Shouldn't Be Repeated in the Job Search How to Answer: 'What Have You Been Doing Since You Were Laid Off?' 7 Questions That Make Interviewers Cringe 4 Ways to Get a Hiring Manager's Attention Should You Lower Your Salary Expectations?

Articles from CareerBuilder.com

How to Call in a Favor at Work How to Self-Promote Without Being Obnoxious Conflicting Career Advice: Which is Right Is Getting a Job Really About Who You Know? What Happens if I Embellish My Salary History? Overqualified? The Pros and Cons of Accepting a Job With Less Money or Prestige 10 Ways to Be Taken Seriously at Work

Advancing Your Career

Upgrade your skills with NRF Foundation's retail training and certification programs. Increase your selling skills, or boost your management potential with online courses and professional certifications.

 

Other Resources

Visit Career Voyages, the collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. The Career Voyages website is designed to provide information on high growth, in-demand occupations along with the skills and education needed to attain those jobs. The Retail Section gives an overview of the industry, highlights in-demand occupations, and links college and university programs.

High school students, check out DECA, the international association of high school students studying marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality and marketing sales and service. College students, Delta Epsilon Chi is the college division of DECA.

For degree programs in retail, visit NRF Foundations' College and University Partners.