About the employer
Sweet Spot is a family-run candy shop in Saugatuck, Michigan, a scenic Great Lakes town with beaches, shops and nightlife that welcomes over 1.2 million visitors a year. The store makes gourmet popcorn, chocolate, fudge, taffy and more than 80 flavours of ice cream.
In a Retail position you'll serve customers at the counter, help with the candy and ice cream, and talk with American tourists every day, which is great practice for your English and an easy way to make new friends. Sweet Spot also offers affordable housing for its seasonal staff.
Store Clerk
General information
Job duties
- Greeting all guests as they enter the store in a timely manner.
- Assisting or advising guests on their purchases.
- Suggesting other merchandise items to go with the guest's original selection (upsell).
- Handling sales accurately, including entering sales in a cash register, counting out correct change (coins/bills) to guests, and completing credit card transactions.
- Wrapping items and/or placing items in bags for guests.
- Maintaining and cleaning all retail areas including the stock room, display areas, floors, and cash register/checkout area.
- Demonstrating a high level of customer service, responding to and taking appropriate action to resolve guest concerns and complaints.
- Keeping the manager informed of situations relating to facility operation, patron complaints or concerns, accidents, emergency situations, damages, and potential safety hazards.
- Performing all duties in a safe manner.
- Moving to different locations or job assignments within the property as needed, and performing other duties as assigned.
Housing
Details
Your Sweet American Summer Starts Here
Imagine spending your summer in a picture-perfect lakeside town where sandy dunes meet art galleries, boutique shops line the streets, and the sunsets over Lake Michigan look like they belong on a postcard. That’s Saugatuck, Michigan – and Sweet Spot Saugatuck is inviting international students to join their friendly retail team as a Store Clerk.
This is more than a summer job. It’s your chance to practise real English every single day, master American customer service, and build friendships with students from all over the world – all while earning $14 per hour plus tips.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Welcoming customers with a warm smile and helping them find exactly what they’re looking for
- Operating the cash register and handling card and cash transactions accurately
- Preparing, packaging and presenting products for happy customers
- Restocking shelves, refilling displays and keeping the store looking irresistible
- Maintaining a clean, tidy and welcoming shop floor and work area
- Answering questions about products and offering friendly recommendations
- Working as part of a fast-paced, supportive team during busy tourist hours
What You’ll Get
- $14.00 per hour – a strong, reliable wage
- Tips included – boost your earnings every shift
- 40 hours per week – consistent, full-time schedule
- Summer to Fall placement – enjoy two beautiful Michigan seasons
- Hands-on retail, sales and customer service experience for your CV
- Daily English practice with American customers and colleagues
- A supportive employer experienced in hosting international students
- Time off to explore the Great Lakes region and travel after your programme
Who We’re Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 eligible for the Work & Travel USA J-1 programme
- Conversational English – enough to chat comfortably with customers
- A friendly, positive attitude and genuine enjoyment of working with people
- Reliability, punctuality and a strong work ethic
- Ability to stand for extended periods and work in a busy environment
- Willingness to work weekends and holidays – the busiest, most fun times in a resort town!
- No previous experience required – full training provided
Ready to Find Your Sweet Spot?
Positions in popular lakeside towns like Saugatuck fill up fast. If you want a summer of good money, great tips, beach days and unforgettable American memories, apply today and let your Work & Travel USA adventure begin!
Why choose Sweet Spot Saugatuck
Why Saugatuck, Michigan?
Saugatuck is one of the most beloved summer destinations in the American Midwest – a lively resort town of art studios, harbourside restaurants, and the famous Oval Beach, regularly ranked among the best beaches in the United States. Climb the 300+ steps of Mount Baldhead for breathtaking views, ride the historic chain ferry across the Kalamazoo River, kayak, paddleboard, or simply watch the sun sink into Lake Michigan after your shift.
The town buzzes with festivals, farmers’ markets and live music all summer long, and when autumn arrives, the surrounding forests explode into red and gold – one of the most beautiful seasons in the region. Chicago is just a couple of hours away for weekend adventures, with Grand Rapids and Detroit also within easy reach.
About Michigan
Michigan's Great Lakes shores, Mackinac Island and resort towns make for a classic lakeside summer. Students work in island hotels, resorts and restaurants surrounded by beaches and forests.
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