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Flowers touch the
emotions of other peoples' lives. Customers
ordering funeral tributes are often relatives or
close friends of the deceased and may be
emotionally upset. As a florist, you will need
to be sympathetic and understanding.
Being a florist can be a very exciting and
challenging career.
Many people of all ages, from other working
backgrounds are being retrained and entering the
floristry industry.
If you are considering a career in floristry,
you should enjoy working with flowers and be
willing to learn all aspects of the floristry
profession.
You will need to be able to arrange flowers in
an attractive manner and be a reasonably quick
worker.
As a florist is dealing closely with the public,
you should have a genuine liking for people, and
have a pleasant and helpful manner.
Flowers touch the emotions of other peoples'
lives. Customers ordering funeral tributes are
often relatives or close friends of the deceased
and may be emotionally upset. As a florist, you
will need to be sympathetic and understanding.
A florist has the pleasure of helping a
bride-to-be select just the right flowers and
type of bridal bouquet for the most important
day of her life - her wedding day.
The florist shares the joy and excitment when a
proud new father comes in to order flowers for
his wife in hospital.
Floristry is not all glamour. There is a lot of
hard work and long hours involved. The duties in
a florist shop will include:-
Unpacking stock as it comes into the florist
shop
Conditioning flowers and watering plants
Pricing merchandise and displaying it
attractively
Attending to customers
Answering the telephone
Completing orders and making up designs for the
shop
Making sure the florist shop is clean and tidy
Keeping book work up to date
Changing the shop window display
Working in a Florist Shop
You will need to be able to work efficiently. A
typical day in a florist shop could include ten
wreaths for an early morning funeral, several
arrangements and posies. Often a posy or a sheaf
of flowers will need to be made up while the
customer waits.
A good employee has common sense, a positive
attitude, is honest and a willing worker who
sees what needs doing and does it in a cheerful
and efficient manner.
An employer will appreciate a capable
trustworthy employee who has the employer's
interest at heart and will co-operate and help
with any duties involved in the running of the
floristry business.
Applying for a Position in a Florist Shop.
You should present yourself favourably, be well
groomed, polite and have an enthusiastic manner.
If you have any references from previous
positions, report cards or personal references,
take these with you.
You may like to take samples or photographs of
your floral designs with you.
Naturally, any photographs or samples should be
of a high standard with the flowers arranged
attractively and colours blended tastefully.
Any wiring and taping should be neatly done.
The florist may ask you to make up an
arrangement, posy or a sheaf.
You will be expected to choose suitable flowers
and foliage in colours which blend well together
and make up a professional looking design in a
reasonable amount of time (approximately 15-20
minutes for a standard arrangement).
Do not worry if you are a bit nervous. Florists
are usually understanding people and will make
allowances for this. It is far better to be a
little nervous rather than have an over
confident and "know it all" manner.
A few years ago a position was advertised for a
junior in a very busy florist shop in a leading
shopping centre in Melbourne.
There were over forty applicants, but one of our
students was successful because she could show
the florist she was capable of creating
attractive floral designs.
After the interview is over thank the employer
for seeing you, and if the position offered
appeals to you, you could say "I am very
impressed with your shop" or "I would really
like the opportunity of working for you".
An employer would much rather employ a person
who really wants the position in preference to
someone who is indifferent.
OWNING YOUR OWN FLORIST SHOP.
Many people find the idea of going into business
for themselves very tempting. You may want to
open your own florist shop, but you should be
fully aware of all the facts before you make a
decision to start up or buy into a business.
HOW TO DECIDE IF YOU ARE THE RIGHT TYPE OF
PERSON TO GO INTO A FLORIST BUSINESS FOR
YOURSELF.
Advantages
You will have a feeling of fulfilment of being
involved in such a creative industry such as
floristry.
If you run a successful florist business it can
be far more rewarding financially than working
for wages.
There is a feeling of security in owning your
own successful florist business.
You will find running your own florist shop is
never dull. You will never know what each day
will bring. Working for yourself is far more
exciting than going to work in an often dull
routine job.
You will meet some very interesting people
through dealing directly with the public. This
can often develop into lasting friendships. You
will be providing a real service to your
customers. The skilled florist is always
appreciated and will have a secure life-long
career.
Disadvantages (You will find it helpful if you
do this questionnaire)
As floristry is a lot of hard work and often
long hours are involved, do you have the
necessary health and energy to run a business?
Yes / No
Do you have enough money to start a florist
business? Do you have another source of
borrowing money if necessary? Sometimes you will
need to inject extra funds into the business Yes
/ No
Are you self motivated and have enough
discipline to be able to organise yourself to
see what the most important tasks are and to see
each one is carried out? Yes / No
Are you a reasonably quick worker? Yes / No
When a problem arises, are you the type of
person who can come up with a solution? Yes / No
If you have a family, do you have someone you
can rely on to help with the children? Yes / No
To stand a good chance in a floristry business
you should honestly be able to answer "Yes" to
all the above questions.
How successful you are in Floristry, as in
anything in life, will depend on how much time
and effort YOU are prepared to put into it.
Floristry Diploma Course
Our floristry diploma course covers opening your
own florist shop, how to find a job in a florist
shop and work from home.
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2007
: Articles
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FLORIST | |
