Newport’s Friars Walk, which is set to open on November 12, this year, will be creating hundreds of new jobs in retail and restaurant sector for the city.

These will range from part-time 'shelf-stackers' to manager and everything in between.

Business Argus asked Gwent recruitment expert Ross Porter, managing director of Clear Sky Recruitment, what key attributes and skills candidates need to secure one of these new positions

What skills do you need to work in customer facing positions in retail and restaurants?

To work in customer facing positions in retail and restaurants you need to be motivated, of a cheery disposition, able to work well in a team environment, able to solve problems, have the ability to communicate and build rapport with people of all backgrounds and have the understanding of the importance of good customer service.

What skills do you individuals need to be able to manage these customer facing staff?

Excellent interpersonal skills, strong written and oral communication skills, good business awareness, ability to cope under pressure, ability to motivate a team, planning and organising skills, ability to work independently and strong problem solving skills.

What kind of person do you believe the new employers will be looking to attract?

Someone who is reliable, punctual and who is eager to learn about the business and the way in which it operates. Successful candidates will have a positive attitude and they will be of a presentable appearance. Employers will look for those individuals who they think will be proud to represent their brand and of course, those who will fully commit to the culture and standards of their organisation.

Which people, in your experience, do best in these kinds of jobs?

The people who will excel in these customer facing roles will be confident individuals with excellent communication skills who will have had some sort of customer facing roles in the past. Even if they have not had this experience, then the employer will be able to help them get up to speed with the job requirements if they have the right attitude, are willing to learn and they turn up for every shift.

Can people who start at the bottom in these multi-national businesses expect training on the job and promotion?

These days, the multi-national restaurants are fully-committed to staff development and the majority of them offer really good career prospects for those ambitious staff members. For example, annual salaries for a restaurant manager in the well-known multi-national restaurants can range from £20,000 - £25,000 and there are often bonuses on offer.

Would these kind of employers recruit locally and train up selected people to fill key positions or bring people in from outside the area?

If possible, these kind of employers tend to transfer selected individuals from nearby established outlets in order to fill the key positions, however, they are often happy to recruit locally for team manager roles, for example. This, of course, is unless they can attract an experienced manager who has been employed by a competitor with a similar set up as they will have the transferable skill set to succeed in the role. These organisations invest heavily into these new outlets, therefore, appointing the right key personnel at the outset is critical.

Established in April 2014, Clear Sky Recruitment is owned by recruitment entrepreneur Ross Porter, who has more than 16 years’ of industry specific recruitment experience. It has bases in Blackwood and Cardiff.