Farida Mughal-Singh
Job Title
Sales Consultant
Company and location
Harvey Nichols, Leeds
Industry sector
Retail
What does your job involve?
I work in the Accessories department of the store, advising customers and selling handbags, purses etc.
What’s your background and how did you get into that job?
I’ve worked in retail since I was 16, when I got my first part-time job. I’ve been at Harvey Nichols for two and a half years now. You don’t need any particular qualifications for this job, but you do need good product knowledge and excellent customer service skills. When they’re recruiting staff, Harvey Nichols look for individuals with that bit ‘extra’. You have to have the right personality - to be confident, fun and really customer focused.
How did you gain your language skills?
I learned Punjabi and some Urdu at home, from my family. I don’t read or write Punjabi, but I can speak and understand it pretty well.
How do you use your languages at work?
Leeds is a really multicultural city and sometimes we get customers coming in who don’t speak very good English. In the store, there’s a list of staff with language skills on each floor, and we wear badges with flags so customers can see which languages we speak. I sometimes have to advise Punjabi-speaking customers. Being able to communicate with the customer in their own language makes it easier for them. They feel more comfortable and more confident about choosing a product and making a purchase.
What would you say about languages to someone considering a career in retail?
Being able to speak another language is an extra skill that really helps you to treat the customer as an individual and give them good service. A lot of UK retail companies benefit from having staff with language skills. Also, speaking another language gives you opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have, as stores like Harvey Nichols are expanding internationally. If I spoke Arabic, I might get the chance to go and work in Harvey Nichols in Dubai!