I used to work at Clinton cards years ago when I was younger - in fact it was my first job! The shop may have changed slightly since then on how it's run but judging by the other reviews, it hasn't changed much!
I was employed by Clinton cards for just under 3 years and during this time I ... Read review
Advantages: nice staff, not complicated work Disadvantages: not the best paid job!
I used to work at Clinton cards years ago when I was younger - in fact it was my first job! The shop may have changed slightly since then on how it's run but judging by the other reviews, it hasn't changed much!
I was employed by Clinton cards for just under 3 years and during this time I did do quite a bit of training. I'll start from the beginning and cover as much as I can!
Applying and the interview: ...they needed staff for the busy Christmas period on a temporary basis - this was just what I was looking for as at the time I was just going into college and needed a weekend job. I asked in the store for an application and the girl behind the counter was really nice and advised me that once I completed the form they would probably be in touch within a day or two. I actually completed the application form whilst still in the town centre so went back ... more
I used to work at Clinton cards years ago when I was younger - in fact it was my first job! The shop may have changed slightly since then on how it's run but judging by the other reviews, it hasn't changed much! I was employed by Clinton cards for just under 3 years and during this time I did do quite a bit of training. I'll start from the beginning and cover as much as I can!
Applying and the interview: I saw the ad placed in the window that they needed staff for the busy Christmas period on a temporary basis - this was just what I was looking for as at the time I was just going into college and needed a weekend job. I asked in the store for an application and the girl behind the counter was really nice and advised me that once I completed the form they would probably be in touch within a day or two. I actually completed the application form whilst still in the town centre so went back to the store before leaving to go home. No more than about half an hour after getting home there was a phone call for me asking if I wanted to come in for an interview - quicker than I was expecting but I needed the job so was happy to go into the store the following day! The interview was pretty straight forward and relatively easy - as I was applying for my first job they couldn't ask about previous employment and what experience I had on this side of things but, they did ask how I felt about school and also asked to see my record of achievement to see my report from my work experience. I was offered the job the next day to start the following weekend. I would say to anyone though that if you're looking for an easy job in terms of getting one they are pretty good in that if you have no experience like me, who was straight from school they don't mind as long as you show willing and do what is asked of you and you turn up on time for your shifts.
Job role: Now obviously it is just cards but, there is so much stuff to do that you'd never really think of unless you actually worked there! The main thing was using the till to serve which was pretty simple and making sure all the displays are nice and tidy especially on Saturdays when it's busy and they get pretty untidy very quickly! Also they show you how to put out the cards as amazingly each type of card that comes in already has a 'place' on the racks which is shown by its number. The store receives a picture of where the cards are to go for when we are putting new cards out. Now that is all the easy non manual work but there was a lot of manual stuff too which was things like moving the displays around and carrying whole boxes of cards up and down stairs. We also had to take the weekly money to the bank and as the store I worked in had another larger store down the road we'd sometimes have to take stuff there too which was a bit long winded! Generally though, it was an easy job - nothing was hard to understand so it was just a job you could work and go home and forget about which was just what I needed when I was also in college.
Training: The store had training programmes that you could do whilst working there - these came in handy for selling as it helped with general customer service and ways you could make more sales when being on the till - like selling stamps and pens etc. Not only was it useful to show you'd done this training if you later wanted to move up in the company but, it came in useful to show other employers that you had taken a customer service course. All staff had to take the bronze level but then you could take the silver and gold levels too which was more detailed and was based on what tasks you had undertaken in the store.
Pay: The rate of pay at Clintons wasn't great compared to some other shops but, for what the job entailed and the easiness of the work it was ok - It wasn't great if you were younger as you were on the bare minimum - I eventually moved to another job to get more money and the pay was substantially higher for someone of my age. However if you need an easy job then don't expect the pay to be brilliant! I'm not sure if the rates would be much better now for younger staff but I'm sure they would now have a restriction on wages due to a lot of these new laws that have come out for minimum wage.
Overall opinion: Overall an easy job but even at management level, the pay wouldn't be overly amazing so maybe ok for someone who just needs a job as a hobby or just a little bit of extra easy cash! The staff that I worked with here were really nice as they were in the other shop so it was always nice to have people to talk to who were friendly, especially as it was quite nerve racking for me when I first started. The day used to go pretty quickly I found and I think this is because there was always something to be done - if it was a peak season such as Christmas then the shop would be busy pretty much all day and if it was quiet then you could get on with getting cards out on the shelves or putting cards back that people used to leave in the wrong place. I would certainly say Clintons is an ideal first place to work as they give good training and it is not to difficult to do the job so overall a nice little place to work.
Advantages: Always have what you are looking for. Disadvantages: Far too expensive.
...to choose from or are Clinton cards.
Now with Clinton cards you really do get decent quality and you certainly get plenty choice, I have never gone into a Clinton`s store and not found what I am looking for they not only have a huge range for each occasion they also cover every occasion.
So why am I stuck between a rock and a hard place? Well simply because although Clinton covers every angle they do so at a ridiculously high price, for example ... ...have to be fair to Clinton in order to make this a balanced review and as I said earlier as far as finding everything you want along with some nice original ideas I don't think any other card shop could claim to compare with what Clinton has to offer. They always have a huge amount of birthday cards to choose from, they cover all types of anniversaries, they have cards for moving home, get well soon, leaving school, emigrating and pretty much everything ...
weebill 29.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Clinton Cards
Clinton Cards is, currently the largest retailer in cards and gift wrapping products...etc in the UK. It was founded in the 60's in Essex but now has over 700 shops in the Uk especially since it bought out The Birthdays Group. The largest branch is in Leeds and measures a massive 10,750 square feet spread across two floors. This is in the Guiness Book of Records as being the largest Greeting Card Store in the world
Cl inton Cards is predominantly ... ...elderly for example.
Clinton cards also has a good stock of wrapping paper gift tags and mugs balloons teddy bears etc All continuing the higher than average price tag but non the less a good range and good quality all under one roof in very easy to find sections Perhaps paying for the convenience in the price of the merchandise.
S taff are courteous well mannered polite and very welcoming and helpful
The staff all wear uniforms and all look neat ...
haydn96 18.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Clinton Cards
Advantages: Busy during xmas, Quiet during the week, Disadvantages: No training as promised, Low-pay
***MY WORK EXPERIENCE***
I worked for Clintons for over 4 years, and started off as a sales assistant in 2001. (My first job, after leaving school) My job roles were:
- Stock Replenishment
- Cash Handling
- Customer Service
- General house-keeping duties such as cleaning, etc.
- Stock-take
Whilst working as a sales assistant I was given a bronze book, to go through and read and answer various questions which would help me progress up to a ... ...receive a certificate. I think my pay was about £4.80 an hour, which was about the minimum wage at the time!
Within a year I was promoted to Supervisor and I had more responsibility. My roles included all the above with added extras such as:
- Cashing Up
- Daily Banking
- Ringing through orders
- Checking off deliveries
I was again given another book to work through which was Silver, which when completed would be Assistant manager level. I ...
kiss_me2070 27.02.2007 (25.01.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Clinton Cards
Advantages: Choice, helpfulness of staff, ordering to products Disadvantages: Some items slightly pricey
I have to say first that I am rating this store as somewhere to shop, not somewhere to work, so the category choices I have made are not accurate.
I went into Clinton's earlier today, which is unusual for me as I make all my own cards. But I was in need of a small gift that was nice for a relative. I was advised Clintons have plenty of nice things to choose from.
When I entered the store it was lovely and clean and everything seemed to be in the ... ...store). I found everything was laid out well, and there was indeed plenty of choice.
When I couldnt find exactly what I wanted I asked one of the assistants for their opinion, and was pleased at the response. They swiftly collected all the appropriate things from around the store that were suitable for me to look at and compare at the same time, went through prices with me and even discussed which ones seemed to be most popular.
Buying my gift ...
naughtyangel69 27.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Clinton Cards
Advantages: Friendly staff, staff discount Disadvantages: working weekends
I worked as a sales assistant at the Marlow store for 6 months in 2004.
I found the staff I worked with extremely friendly, and we also went out after work on a few occasions.
I was earning just over £5 per hour.. which wasn't bad. Also you get a 25% staff discount.
Typical Day
During a typical day (9am-5.30/6pm), you had to fill up your card sections, take money to the bank, had about 1 hour 15 min break during day (1hr for lunch), tidy up store. ... ...of staff then had their own sections to fill and tidy during the day, as well as taking hour turns serving on the till.
- you got an hour lunch break, and a 15 or so min break in the afternoon, where you could sit in the staffroom, and on lunch you could go out the store and into the town.
- after lunch somone would take the money to the bank
- after lunch you all had your own areas to tidy and do 'customer service' - making sure you went up to ...
diddy1 01.09.2006 (03.09.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Clinton Cards
Knowledge gained
Training
Responsibilities
General atmosphere
Career prospects
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