Retail management can be a good line of work, but it has numerous pitfalls that lead you to try and understand how to get out of retail management.
It could be because the pay isn’t good enough or for other personal reasons. The good news is that it is possible to make a career change.
With the right guide, you can easily shift from your retail job and get a job in another industry. The process will depend on your skills, experience, educational background, and other aspects. Let us get to the details and review all of them;
How To Get Out Of Retail Management
Making a career change is a big deal, especially if you have been in a given field for a long time. Retail management is a good choice for most people, but you might have something else in mind. You can follow this guide to make the transition easier for you, so let us get to the details;
1. Understand your reason for leaving
It is important to consider all the reasons that make you want to leave your retail management career. Know what you dislike about the position and the factors that could have made you want to quit.
This will give you the knowledge you need to figure out what you want for your next job. Understanding these reasons will also prevent you from getting into another line of work you dislike and quitting again.
Additionally, an interviewer for your next job could ask why you want to change, and you might not have the answer. This step will prepare you for interviews and help you select your next job better.
2. Identify you skillset
Retail management is a versatile position, and a wide range of people with different skills can fill the position.
You need a breakdown of all the skills you acquired during your time in retail management to see what lines of work are ideal.
Write all the responsibilities you had in your role in retail management and use them in your job search. Some of the skills might be requirements in other jobs, and having previous experience will give you an upper hand.
Learn the most valuable skills in your job market and emphasize them while writing resumes and job interviews.
3. Assess your interests
You should now know what you can do and dislike about retail management. It is time to see what jobs appeal to you and within your skill level. You can start by creating a list of the aspects of retail management you love.
You can also consider your hobbies and other activities outside work that can be helpful in your job hunt.
You can use the hobby to create a product that brings in cash flow, so you remain self-employed or get someone that needs that service to pay for it.
4. Search for a job
After compiling a list of your skills and job interests, it is time to get a new source of income. The easiest way to start is by searching for jobs that align with your skills and interests. This search could land you a suitable job in your area.
You also need to consider the role you will be playing in the new job and whether you need additional education or training.
You will have to consider whether or not you are willing to do the training or pursue additional education.
You could hold onto your retail management job during the search, so you have money to pay for classes and other expenses before the transition. Maintain a connection to your old job until you secure a new position.
5. Create and Update Your Resume
Part of the job search is creating or updating your resume and sending it to all the offices with jobs you are interested in. Make sure the resume depicts your latest relevant professional experiences.
If you took additional classes or special education for the career change, make sure you include that in the resume.
You can use online resources to generate resume templates and make it easier to get into your dream career path.
Use tailored resumes for each job you find, mentioning only the skills and certifications necessary. Add keywords and phrases the employer used in their job description to demonstrate that your role aligns with their needs.
6. Use your networks
Most people get jobs through referrals from friends and colleagues; therefore, this is the time to connect with people in the industry you want to get into. Use your personal and professional connections to ask for openings in jobs you can do.
Discuss your skills and career interests with relevant people, and they might connect you with job opportunities.
Seek out events or meets relevant to the field you want to join, and you can meet many new people that will reach out to you with opportunities.
You can also meet veterans in the field and ask for advice on landing well-paying jobs. They will advise you on educational requirements and other tricks to give you an upper hand against other people looking for the same position.
7. Be flexible
As mentioned before, retail management can accommodate people with a wide range of skills, so you must keep an open mind during your job search. The first job you land might not be the dream, but you must remain patient.
These small steps and the right connections will eventually get you to your career goals. Sometimes you might have to consider taking volunteer positions to help you gain experience and improve your resume.
What Retail Management Skills Can You Use For Other Jobs?
A few years in retail management can help you build useful skills in other jobs and give you an advantage in interviews.
It is a versatile job with many roles; therefore, there is much to learn. Here are some useful skills you might have picked up from retail management;
Adaptability
Retail management often involves high-paced environments with a lot of things happening simultaneously.
As a retail manager, you would have been adaptable enough to keep up with these activities and correctly direct some of them.
This skill allows you to keep up with rapidly changing scenarios while managing an activity. This adaptability will make you a quick learner and more open to new ideas, improving your relationship with managers and coworkers.
Problem-solving
Retail management is highly dependent on humans, who are prone to error; therefore, many problems come up daily.
This results in you having critical analysis skills for various problems and coming up with solutions.
Sometimes customers have questions or problems with equipment, and you have to help them. Employers love employees that can handle high-pressure situations efficiently. This skill is valuable in all fields, making your resume stand out from the competition.
People skills
Retail management will leave you with various useful customer service skills and communication skills.
You will build patience, empathy, and communication, which will help you meet the requirements of everyone you interact with at your workplace.
These skills will be particularly helpful if you land a role that needs you to communicate with customers.
They will also be ideal for supervisors and managers, so the skill will serve you as you go up the cooperate ladder.
Technical skills
You might have used specific software while running your day-to-day in the retail management position.
You might get the same software or one similar to it in your new job, which will make your transition easier.
You can also use your experience as proof that you can learn new programs to fit in at the workplace.
Sales
Sales are the backbone of any retail business, so you will get the chance to sharpen your sales skills.
You will learn to be more persuasive with customers to get them to buy a product or get a service from your employer.
You will be able to understand your customers’ needs and come up with a pitch to convince them to get your service on the spot. Such skills are highly valuable, and you will get better offers for sales-related jobs thanks to them.
Conclusion
You now know how to get out of retail management and land a good job in another field. You need to understand why you dislike your old position before going out looking for another. Don’t end up in a second job you don’t like, so you have to quit again.
Retail management will give you many skills that could be useful in other lines of work, so keep those in mind as well.
You might have to undergo additional education or training to get a new job in some fields, but it will be worth it when you achieve your career goals.
