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AT WORK

By Katie Wagner, Staff Writer
Name: Gabriel Morales, Age: 41, Hometown: South Brunswick, Company: MarketFair shopping center, West Windsor, Job title: Seasonal Sales Associate for MarketFair Gift Cards.  —- How did you get this job? MarketFair was advertising the position to employees of its other stores, so I found out about it while I was working one of my other jobs here. I filled out an application and personally submitted it to MarketFair’s main office. I had to get background checked and was asked for references.
    What kind of education and training did you need?
    They only trained me on the computer, on how to use their software. I have 20 years of retail experience, primarily in management, and 15 years with computer experience.
    Describe a typical day in your job.
    I begin working at 5 p.m. and I’m out at quarter of 10. During those hours, I sell an average of 10 to 15 gift cards. I basically need to pay attention to my surroundings, ring up customers, put some cards in boxes, answer questions and explain that the cards can be used not only in MartketFair stores, but also in our movie theaters and restaurants.
    What do you enjoy most about your job?
    I get to talk to different people and see what’s going on at the mall because my stand is in one of the mall’s open areas. It’s no really stressful. It’s really laid back. It’s the only time I get to sit down. At my other jobs I’m always standing up, selling, selling, selling and making sure everyone I’m overseeing is doing what I’ve asked them to do.
    What do you enjoy least?
    I guess what I enjoy least are those times when there’s really nothing to do, when there’s no customers. There was one night when not a single person stopped at my stand for the entire five hours of my shift. People would walk by and that was about it.
    What is the key to success in your job?
    Knowledge, being very friendly and outgoing to people and loving what you do are the keys to success in this job. You’ve got to be able to give suggestions, because sometimes people will ask me how much I think they should give. I’ll ask who the recipients are and what they want them to be able to do with their gift cards. For example, if someone is trying to buy for a couple, I would probably suggest going for a $100 card to give the recipients a full night out with a movie and a meal.