Should I Apply For A Job At My Local Running Store?

I work at a running store part-time. I have found that I truly enjoy helping and encouraging people, even the hobby/joggers. For the most part, people come in because they want to feel good and appreciate the help & advice. Sure, there are a few jerks, but they are the minority. I've heard inspiring stories from people who have lost tremendous amounts of weight, people who just hope to be able to walk 30 minutes a day, people just trying to improve their fitness. I look forward to going to work every day to see who will come in next. A couple of days ago, a high school girl came in who had called to put a pair of Lunarglides on hold. When she put them on and ran in the store, it was obvious she needed a different shoe with more stability. She came in with pain in her shins and hips and left thrilled with her new shoes.

As for selling overpriced compression socks and other items, you just point out what they're for, answer their questions, and if the person wants them, they'll buy them. To be honest, we have far more joggers and walkers come into our store than "serious" runners. At the start of cross country and track, we'll get a lot of high schoolers looking for racing shoes, and they are great to talk to since they are obviously serious.

If you only want the job so you can BS with serious runners, please do the running community a favor and get a job somewhere else. If you truly want to help people, no matter what their circumstances, put in an application. The store isn't there to fill your individual desire, but to provide a service to the local running community.

It's the hobby joggers that keep the running store going and are happy to shell out many. Usually the faster runners want the free race entries, shoe discounts, etc.

Ruth Wysocki wrote:

A couple of days ago, a high school girl came in who had called to put a pair of Lunarglides on hold. When she put them on and ran in the store, it was obvious she needed a different shoe with more stability. She came in with pain in her shins and hips and left thrilled with her new shoes.

Obvious. I like it. What girl wouldn't be "thrilled" with new shoes?

For those who didn't click the link, "more stability" = "more sports myth." I'm just quoting those barefoot tree huggers in the US Army.

The compression socks may be overpriced, whatever that means, but at least they do what they claim.

I worked for running stores in high school and after college - most formative professional experience I ever had. At store A I worked for an owner who was a little clueless, but at store B I got to see a first class businessman execute - made me up my professional goals and game.

As for the work itself - you have to have a service mindset. If you groan when an overweight 65 year old 'ex dancer' comes in the store and needs help taking her shoes off and putting new ones on...do something else. If you are generally more aggravated by people than pleased by them...do something else.

The serious runners generally don't come in the stores since they order online, and they don't really care what the average sales guy thinks about shoes.

The work is with beginners and people who generally know nothing about running. Which can be very rewarding when you get someone in the right shoes and shoe you care.

[quote]killing me softly wrote:

[quote]Ruth Wysocki wrote:

http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/hc/healthtips/11/201008runningshoes.cfm

For those who didn't click the link, "more stability" = "more sports myth." I'm just quoting those barefoot tree huggers in the US Army.

quote]

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nice find. We really know nothing. Fit is by far the most important in injury prevention, and then training smart.

You should do it. I was in the game for over a year when I moved to a new city post college.

Helped a LOT of walkers, but became great friends with a couple of serious runners. And even dated a couple girls.

Learned a ton about business. Got to see all the different cogs in the machine: buyers, shoe reps, advertisers, customer service, event managers, etc. It helped me figure out what I actually wanted to do in a career.

One question you will always get asked, "So, do you run?" It may be weird saying that you don't, or can't, or whatever. Kind of erodes the level of credibility/trust with the customer.

Good perks too. Lots of free gear. Race entries.