Escape from Retail Management Rot (Laid off)

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Sep 17th, 2018 8:19 am

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Sep 15th, 2018 6:08 pm

IceCreamGee [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2006; 1093 posts; 965 upvotes

Sep 15th, 2018 6:08 pm

Escape from Retail Management Rot (Laid off)

Well, I've been in the game for about 7 years and this is the second time I've been laid off. Unfortunately my expected path leads into retail management once again for another company and need to live with the same predictable, volatile career path. I'm not saying I don't enjoy the pleasures of retail but the cons outweigh them. So I'm in a bit of a pickle atm because I either continue this again or I try to merge into something else. I'm 31 with a kid on the way and have a very dated advanced diploma in pharmaceutical laboratory technology (2008), with a certificate of achievement in advanced pharmaceutical instrumentation (2013?). I need some assistance when it comes to parting with retail life. Has anyone done it? Going back into the chemical world is pretty difficult to accomplish right now. What would be some recommendations?

8 replies

Sep 15th, 2018 8:39 pm

Ethan15: Deal Addict; Oct 25, 2008; 2306 posts; 350 upvotes; North York

Sep 15th, 2018 8:39 pm

One thing I could think off - I used to work in the Head Office of retailer, and many people doing various things (such as merchandising, retail strategy, brand coordinator, store training, endless myriad of positions) used to work in retail where your experience comes in handy. I think it may be an easier break to go through working in the retailer HO than going back to chemistry.

Sep 15th, 2018 9:45 pm

No Frills: Deal Fanatic; Dec 3, 2009; 5957 posts; 1291 upvotes; Toronto

Sep 15th, 2018 9:45 pm

From what I understand today, the jump into HO from retail isn't the same like it once was. Kind of like a bank teller trying to break into a finance position out of the branch. Not saying it can't be done, but no longer a stepping stone.

I've known people getting out of that job because they were expecting kids and couldn't work retail hours anymore and went into sales roles with their vendors.

Remember to be an RFD-er and NOT a degenerate.

Sep 15th, 2018 9:59 pm

Ethan15: Deal Addict; Oct 25, 2008; 2306 posts; 350 upvotes; North York

Sep 15th, 2018 9:59 pm

No Frills wrote: ↑ From what I understand today, the jump into HO from retail isn't the same like it once was. Kind of like a bank teller trying to break into a finance position out of the branch. Not saying it can't be done, but no longer a stepping stone.

I've known people getting out of that job because they were expecting kids and couldn't work retail hours anymore and went into sales roles with their vendors.

There is not much parallel between working cash teller/financial advisor and moving to corporate. Most positions in corporate banking requires hard finance / quantitative skills that just simply not possible with working in retail bank.

On the other hand, home office retail positions - some requires merchandising knowledge, store training, store operations, trouble shoot know-how of store systems, etc all are attainable during working at the store.

It may be hard to get into corporate retail office but probably a lot easier than teller trying to get a job at corporate banking.

Sep 16th, 2018 10:44 am

IceCreamGee [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2006; 1093 posts; 965 upvotes

Sep 16th, 2018 10:44 am

Ethan15 wrote: ↑ One thing I could think off - I used to work in the Head Office of retailer, and many people doing various things (such as merchandising, retail strategy, brand coordinator, store training, endless myriad of positions) used to work in retail where your experience comes in handy. I think it may be an easier break to go through working in the retailer HO than going back to chemistry.

Head office was the bees knees when it came down to career progression but as NoFrills says it's not the case anymore.

I suppose I'm going to repeat the cycle once again. I've been getting in touch with some old HR colleagues to give me some guidance. I'll see what they say as well and react appropriately .

I also did consider second career but I don't know if it's the best time to do it. Don't know if I'll be financially stable if I do.

Sep 16th, 2018 1:10 pm

Ethan15: Deal Addict; Oct 25, 2008; 2306 posts; 350 upvotes; North York

Sep 16th, 2018 1:10 pm

IceCreamGee wrote: ↑ Head office was the bees knees when it came down to career progression but as NoFrills says it's not the case anymore.

I suppose I'm going to repeat the cycle once again. I've been getting in touch with some old HR colleagues to give me some guidance. I'll see what they say as well and react appropriately .

I also did consider second career but I don't know if it's the best time to do it. Don't know if I'll be financially stable if I do.

No Frills is part of Loblaw Companies Limited. My recommendation is just to pound the career site with your resume. Of course, you must tailor your resume to align with the skills required. Apply for a specific role where you can enhance your experience at the store to match with what they asked. Good luck!

Also - I would open the horizon a little a bit to apply to Sobeys, Empire (Metro), etc.

Sep 16th, 2018 3:49 pm

IceCreamGee [OP]: Deal Addict; Sep 7, 2006; 1093 posts; 965 upvotes

Sep 16th, 2018 3:49 pm

I was quoting "No Frills" sorry for the confusion

Sep 16th, 2018 9:05 pm

Guest5666777784: Member; Feb 13, 2017; 369 posts; 350 upvotes; toronto, ontario

Sep 16th, 2018 9:05 pm

No Frills wrote: ↑ From what I understand today, the jump into HO from retail isn't the same like it once was. Kind of like a bank teller trying to break into a finance position out of the branch. Not saying it can't be done, but no longer a stepping stone.

OP is experienced and not entry level.

Perhaps a better analogy would be a bank MANAGER trying to break into a finance position out of the branch.

(Still very challenging though.)

Sep 17th, 2018 8:19 am

tmkf_patryk: Deal Addict; Dec 27, 2007; 4153 posts; 1498 upvotes; Edmonton

Sep 17th, 2018 8:19 am

IceCreamGee wrote: ↑ Head office was the bees knees when it came down to career progression but as NoFrills says it's not the case anymore.

I suppose I'm going to repeat the cycle once again. I've been getting in touch with some old HR colleagues to give me some guidance. I'll see what they say as well and react appropriately .

I also did consider second career but I don't know if it's the best time to do it. Don't know if I'll be financially stable if I do.

Some second career choices will pay better at start than your retail position....

warming up the earth 1 gas fill-up at a time...
You only live once, get a v8

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