So currently I’m in the process of starting college and I was in hospitality but I couldn’t do it anymore. The No breaks, and getting scolded for trying to eat for even a second was to much.
I wanted to go back to retail only because getting scheduled breaks is what I need for my sanity. Customer interaction whether they are Karen’s or not has never really bothered me so despite retail being ehh, I’d prefer it now over that.
So currently with experience I was making 16.50 at hotels as a front desk agent. Similar to checking people out a retail store but I’m checking them in (sometimes out) and making there keys. So starting is usually 15 or 16. Before hotels I worked at a big retail store chain for over a year.
And all together I have over two years of customer service experience in retail and hospitality. So I’ve dealt with every type of customer interaction imaginable.
But the two places I applied to, two big retail chains both gave me job offers at 15.
I was NOT expecting or was I gonna ask to start right away at 16.50. I knew I’d be taking a pay cut, but I was hoping 15.50-16 Because from what I know in customer service your starting pay is dictated by experience.
The first place I actually called and discussed this. They basically said “A computer system decided your starting pay, and they go through the same criteria we would.”
So a “polite” no. I know if start at 15 I won’t be getting a significant raise for probably a year.
I haven’t asked the second place, but should I? Or am I completely off base to even be asking and I’m just being dramatic/annoying expecting a retail job to be negotiable?