If you are considering a career in floristry, you should enjoy working with flowers and be willing to learn all aspects of floristry profession. You will need to be able to arrange flowers in an attractive manner and be a reasonably quick worker.

Our floristry school will teach you how to create floral designs for all types of occasions.

As a florist is dealing closely with public, you should have a genuine liking for people, and have a pleasant and helpful manner.

Flowers touch emotions of other peoples' lives. Customers ordering funeral tributes are often relatives or close friends of deceased and may be emotionally upset. As a florist,you will need to be sympathetic and understanding.

A florist has pleasure of helping a bride-to-be select just right flowers and type of bridal bouquet for most important day of her life - her wedding day.

The florist shares 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 florist shop

Conditioning flowers and watering plants

Pricing merchandise and displaying it attractively

Attending to customers

Answering telephone

Completing orders and making up designs for shop

Making sure florist shop is clean and tidy

Keeping book work up to date

Changing 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 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 employee who has employer's interest at heart and ill co-operate and help with any duties involved in running of 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 flowers arranged attractively and colours blended tastefully. Any wiring and taping should be neatly done.

The florist may ask you to make up a bowl arrangement, wreath 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.