 Specialist"Attitude is very important. You have to discipline yourself; you have to understand the job. The minute you step into the store, you have to forget all your personal problems."
 | You were recently recognized for your exceptional sales performance. Why do you enjoy selling and what makes it particularly rewarding on a daily basis? |
I enjoy selling because I like people. I am really having a good time when I'm at work. I don't see it as a job. It is really rewarding for me to see a customer happy. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to know that I have helped them.
| What abilities or personal attributes make you a great salesperson? |
Attitude. Attitude is very important. You have to discipline yourself; you have to understand the job. The minute you step into the store, you have to forget all your personal problems. You block everything out and be cheerful and happy for the customers. You have to train yourself to be on your best behavior around the difficult customers and always have a smile on your face. I am always very professional on the job.
| What do you do to build relationships with customers and why is this important to you? |
Anyone who passes through my area, whether I know them or not, I greet them. It also helps to have a good sense of humor. You start up a conversation with them. You have to make them feel comfortable with you. And for repeat customers, try to remember their name or something that you talked about with them so you can start up a conversation with them again. It's important to treat the person who spends $12 the same way you would treat the person who spends $500.
| Providing consistent customer service is an ongoing challenge. How does your personal contribution and passion for the customer make your store the best it can be every day? |
People know if you are sincere or not. You have to be sincere and honest with your customers. If you are honest, the customers will trust you.
| What are your trade secrets? Are there any "techniques" you use to help initiate and/or close a sale? |
I always ask if customers have a Bloomingdale's charge card and tell them the advantages of having one. Also, if it is a new customer, I will ask if I can call them when something I think they will like comes in. You have to make conversation with people all the time. It really helps to close the sale.
| What is your most memorable sale? |
I had a customer who was very rude the first time that he was in the store but I did my best to stay professional and help him out as much as I could. He came into the store two weeks later and asked if I remembered him. He apologized to me for being so rude the first time in and has become one of my better return customers.
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