Preparing myself for a retail career.
Discussion
Hi all.
I realise that retail probably isn't many people's bag around here, but it's what I've always wanted to do, so you're not going to change my mind!
I'm 23, finished my degree (Business, management and finance) and as above I've decided that I want to go into retail big time. I've worked since I was 13 (well, 12, but shh) firstly as a paper boy, then at 15 I began working in a shop (small independant) where I stayed until two years ago. I then moved (the boss sold up, and asked me to go with him to his new shop, basically) to a larger shop where I've been for 2 years and has recently been extended and refitted. Within the last three years I have also been doing ad-hoc work for another newsagency local to me.
With a retail career in mind I have also managed to get self-employed work doing audits, merchandising and a bit of mystery shopping through various agencies.
I've given myself a timeframe of until I'm 25 to have myself a really good CV built up and begin looking for my career path.
Has anyone here worked their way up in retail? What do employers look for, and what else should I gain experience in?
Many Thanks.
I realise that retail probably isn't many people's bag around here, but it's what I've always wanted to do, so you're not going to change my mind!
I'm 23, finished my degree (Business, management and finance) and as above I've decided that I want to go into retail big time. I've worked since I was 13 (well, 12, but shh) firstly as a paper boy, then at 15 I began working in a shop (small independant) where I stayed until two years ago. I then moved (the boss sold up, and asked me to go with him to his new shop, basically) to a larger shop where I've been for 2 years and has recently been extended and refitted. Within the last three years I have also been doing ad-hoc work for another newsagency local to me.
With a retail career in mind I have also managed to get self-employed work doing audits, merchandising and a bit of mystery shopping through various agencies.
I've given myself a timeframe of until I'm 25 to have myself a really good CV built up and begin looking for my career path.
Has anyone here worked their way up in retail? What do employers look for, and what else should I gain experience in?
Many Thanks.
It's good that you know what you want to be doing.
Most of the big chains have management training courses and they are the best way to start.
Having a good CV with retail experience will help but being able to show an understanding of the key principles of their business and industry is whats important to get your foot in the door.
Most of the big chains have management training courses and they are the best way to start.
Having a good CV with retail experience will help but being able to show an understanding of the key principles of their business and industry is whats important to get your foot in the door.
Retail is a big area and it helps if you know what sector you're aiming at (supermarket,fashion,electrical,etc,etc) and what type of employer (large chain,specialists,etc).
Most offer a management training scheme but these can vary wildly in terms of quality with some offering well structured training with defined goals leading to a good placement with support to the general 'learn on the shopfloor' type affair and bung you where there is a vacancy (usually in a 'problem' store that has seen numerous managers in short space of time).
And just because it's a big high street name, don't assume they're good as many take a sink or swim approach (which in some ways is no bad thing!) so in the interview it's vital you ask about the training programme offered.
Pay in general isn't brilliant to begin with but you have a lot of opportunity to progress if you're prepared to move around a bit plus you can do a lot of sideways moves such as merchandising,auditing, or what I did which was ending up training trainee's.
Moving sectors is pretty easy as well as skills are very transferable so it doesn't matter if you're selling peas or plasmas as you'll be mainly dealing with planning,organizing,cost+stock control and most importantly - people management (can't stress that enough!).
This all coming from someone who spent 15 years in retail management but got bored in the end and ended up playing with trains!
Most offer a management training scheme but these can vary wildly in terms of quality with some offering well structured training with defined goals leading to a good placement with support to the general 'learn on the shopfloor' type affair and bung you where there is a vacancy (usually in a 'problem' store that has seen numerous managers in short space of time).
And just because it's a big high street name, don't assume they're good as many take a sink or swim approach (which in some ways is no bad thing!) so in the interview it's vital you ask about the training programme offered.
Pay in general isn't brilliant to begin with but you have a lot of opportunity to progress if you're prepared to move around a bit plus you can do a lot of sideways moves such as merchandising,auditing, or what I did which was ending up training trainee's.
Moving sectors is pretty easy as well as skills are very transferable so it doesn't matter if you're selling peas or plasmas as you'll be mainly dealing with planning,organizing,cost+stock control and most importantly - people management (can't stress that enough!).
This all coming from someone who spent 15 years in retail management but got bored in the end and ended up playing with trains!
Would second what valiant writes above. I was all set on the retail store management career path after university. I now design IT infrastructure.
Great if you want to pursue it. Great if you change your mind later on.
Lots of transferrable skills. For me critically it was the customer services angle that got me into helpdesk support (at the suggestion of a retail customer. )
One boss at the time is now an aircraft fitter and another is senior in a software publishing house.
Great if you want to pursue it. Great if you change your mind later on.
Lots of transferrable skills. For me critically it was the customer services angle that got me into helpdesk support (at the suggestion of a retail customer. )
One boss at the time is now an aircraft fitter and another is senior in a software publishing house.
I know some very senior people in M&S, who have worked their way up from being in store, to head office.
The other advice I would give is: "Go and get a job with Amazon".
No one does retail better, and it's a gilt-edge entry on your CV that will open a lot of doors, in retail and other industries in the future.
RR
(Ex-Amazon senior exec).
The other advice I would give is: "Go and get a job with Amazon".
No one does retail better, and it's a gilt-edge entry on your CV that will open a lot of doors, in retail and other industries in the future.
RR
(Ex-Amazon senior exec).
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