Working in retail at Bell comes with some serious career potential.
“Too often, students forget that many senior executives started from the ground level of their organizations and worked their way up,” says Devon Blower, a Recruitment Specialist with Bell.
The knowledge and skills you can gain from working in retail are a great background to have for management or corporate roles at Bell.
Many students who start careers as Retail Associates at Bell go on to positions as Store Managers, Regional Managers, Small Business Leads, Account Executives, Marketing Associates or HR Personnel.
Interested in a career where you can grow?
Don’t be afraid of a little hard work.
“We have lots of opportunity within Bell,” Devon says. “There are lots of candidates all trying to get into this organization and this industry.”
Devon was happy to offer some expert advice on hatching your retail career with Bell.
Are you right for the job?
As a Bell Retail Associate, you’ll be responsible for identifying each customer’s unique needs and helping them find the products and services that are right for them.
“Customer service skills are the number one attribute needed to succeed at Bell,” says Devon. “Having the ability to connect with customers is key.”
Candidates that already have experience in telecommunications (either within Canada or internationally) have a great background to start a retail career. “We like to see anyone with a telecommunications background from anywhere in the world,” says Devon. “They already have a good understanding of the industry.”
Recruiters like Devon also look highly upon candidates that have been with a previous employer for a significant length of time. “It shows they are loyal,” she explains.
Writing a resume for Bell
Devon and her colleagues review an average of 20-30 resumes a day.
Eager to stand out? Be ready to start from scratch.
“Remember to tailor your resume to the job you are applying for as this will add a personal touch,” says Devon.
Tailoring a good resume means finding the right length. “We often get resumes that are either too long or too short,” says Devon. “As your resume gets longer, the less attention it will likely receive from the person reviewing it. Know when to stop adding jobs onto your resume and when to make it a little bit more plump.”
If you’re struggling, try reaching out for outside feedback. Family, friends or professional connections can all provide useful input.
The application process
After applying for a Bell retail position online, you’ll be placed in a queue for a phone screening.
“Interviews are behavioural-based. We ask candidates for specific examples to illustrate the competencies we are searching for,” Devon explains.
After the phone screening, candidates typically have a first interview with a Bell recruiter in person at the nearest Bell office.
“We invite our candidates to our offices whenever possible,” says Devon. “We have also started conducting some interviews via Skype or other types of media to add in that face-to-face connection.”
After a successful interview with a Recruitment Coordinator, a candidate is forwarded to a local Hiring Manager, who conducts the final interview and makes their decision.
Interview tips
Hoping to excel in an interview at Bell? Cover your bases.
“Show up promptly, dress appropriately and be prepared,” says Devon. “Show that you have thought about the position in detail and that you are excited and eager to become part of the organization.”
Good preparation also means being prepared to talk about more than just yourself.
“Always research the company you are applying to,” Devon explains. “If you do not know anything about Bell do not expect to get hired. We want to know you took the time to get to know us.”
An ideal candidate shows confidence in themselves and enthusiasm for the role and for Bell. Devon can still remember one stellar interview with a candidate who did just that.
“He was sure that he was the right person for the job,” Devon explains. “He always used very specific examples and never stumbled through his answers.”
Devon understands that nervousness can be a barrier to a successful interview. She tries to make candidates feel as though they were having a casual, friendly conversation – and she encourages interviewees to embrace that attitude.
“You have to remember that this is your chance to shine and really sell yourself as to why you are the best person for the job,” she says.
Devon knows that it’s worth the effort to join the Bell team.
“Bell is a large organization with endless opportunities,” she says. “We’re always looking for great people!”