I had my first retail job this summer. It was at a well-known women’s chain that recently opened a new store near my house. While I went into to it just happy to have a job (and glad that it happened to be at a store I LOVE), I left having learned much, much more than I ever thought possible.

Here are five things I took away from the experience:

1. Ultimately retail workers are hired to sell clothes. This is what I have found most retail managers look for in interviews. They will often have you pick out an outfit for a specific occasion. Instead of telling them why you chose it, sell it to them. Make them WANT to buy it.

2. “If you’re not doing something, you’re doing something wrong.” My manager told me this on one of my very first days at the store. A retail business makes money off of the productivity of their employees. If the store looks like a mess, nobody will want to buy anything. Therefore, even if you think the store looks eat-off-the-floor-clean, I’m sure there’s a t-shirt somewhere that’s not perfectly folded. This situation can be applied to nearly any work environment. Employers always love employees who go the extra mile.

3. Work-appropriate doesn’t mean uncomfortable. The store I worked at had a pretty specific dress code about what brands we were allowed to wear and how we were supposed to present ourselves. In an attempt to look nice, I showed up to my first few days in wedges that were perfectly brand-appropriate and not at all conducive to comfort after an eight-hour shift. Ultimately, I realized that uncomfortable shoes and clothing interfered with my ability to perform at my job. I quickly invested in some comfort-flats and some nice, dark-wash jeans.

4. The customer is always right. In retail, especially, employees are providing a service for the customer. When representing any company you are working for, it is always important to leave a good impression.

5. Talk to your manager when you have concerns. For example, during slow periods in the month, managers had to cut shifts in order to make payroll. It took me a long time to realize that I had a right to let my managers know that cutting my entire shift on a regular was not only an inconvenience but also an interference with my expected income. In any work situation, it is okay to speak up if you feel there is a problem. Just make sure that you are approaching the problem appropriately and respectfully.

Well, clearly this isn’t everything. Maybe we’ll have part two in a few weeks…

Have you learned anything particularly useful from your summer jobs?