I want to work in a flower shop: tips?

im really interested in getting a part time job in a flower store. im wondering though, if i'll be able to arrange the flowers myself, or if ill just be selling them ... im not sure how flower shops work, but im mostly interested in arranging them. testimonies would be nice :)

I want to work in a flower shop: tips?
Starting out you will do a lot of prep work for the main flower arrangers. Some of the jobs you will have to do is help process flowers as they come in from suppliers....this means cleaning and sorting flowers, cleaning out buckets or vats to hold flowers, hauling the buckets into coolers, and cleaning up mess of leaves and packaging left over. Not very glamourous but it is a learning process.


Also you will be required to keep flowers cleaned on daily process of stripping leaves,sorting out dead or wilted flowers, and replacing water/mix in buckets. Also if flower shop has live plants and flowering plants you will be the one to water those and keep leaves cleaned on plants and if order comes in for live plants you will be one to pick out plant, wrap it and add instruction tag to it.


Another thing that you will do alot is prep vases....this means lots of floral taping tops of vases for flower arranger.


Once you get all these beginner jobs under hand you will slowly start doing simple arranging.


Some selling is involved....you may be the one who mans the phone or counter and have to take orders or call in flower orders to suppliers.


I worked at two different flower shops and it took many months before I got to do much flower arranging...even then the owners and their main designer did most of the big arrangements.


It is a long road but it will build up your floral knowledge and eventually you may work yourself up to one of the flower arrangers. It is a fun atmosphere to work in everyday.....especially in winter to be surrounded by fresh flowers.
Reply:My first job was part time at a florist, I was 16. I washed a lot of buckets and cleaned the coolers constantly. I answered the phones, took flower orders and got orders for the customers who came in. I did get to get looses flowers for people and put them in the cellophane, do balloon bouquets and during prom and homecoming season I got to help do boutonnieres and corsages. It was a lot of work and I ruined a lot of clothes with the bleach used to clean the buckets but I loved it and I'm glad I got to do it.


Edit- I forgot I did get to green arrangements, putting all the greenery in before the flowers were put in so I did help make some of the arrangements.
Reply:We are a florist. We have hired a number of young females over the years. Very few (less than 10%) lasted more than one year. They either were let go or just quit. This is not just us. Florist jobs are pretty much misunderstood.





To enjoy a job in a flower shop...





1) You shouldn't mind getting dirty. A flower shop is more like a grocery store than like a boutique. Forget about wearing pretty clothes, high-heels, or manicures.





2) You must be quick and able to work under stress. If you've worked in a fast-paced restaurant, you should be OK.





3) You must be a "People's person", meaning that you should have a good social skill. Florists are retailers, not artists.





You don't need to be a perfect fit. No one is. However, if you are not good at dealing with people (#3 above), for example, you should be very good at #1 or #2.
Reply:Try and collect t as much knowledge as you can about flowers/plants etc. Look up on the Internet at any jobs going in the flower shop and it will give a description of what will be asked of you when you start working there. Try to look as confident as you can and good luck!