When Should You Switch Jobs in Retail?

Did you start your retail job with great hopes, only to find yourself stuck in a rut? Ask yourself the following questions to find out why.      

WHY DO I FEEL TRAPPED IN MY JOB?

There are many reasons to feel let down in the workplace – and not all of them are to do with the job itself. Maybe you’ve outgrown the role. If your retail job is limited, there may be nowhere else to go with it. Have you tried new ways to tackle your role? Ask your manager or supervisor for their suggestions to expand the role. Could you take on more interesting duties, master new software or learn a new sales technique? Ask about options for training and career development. Managers are always looking for candidates keen to learn, improve and advance. Find out what you need to do to step into an entry-level store manager role for instance.

IS THE WORKPLACE RIGHT FOR ME?

Maybe it’s not the job itself but the company you work for. It doesn’t matter how exciting your role is, if there’s something ‘off’ with the company culture, you’re unlikely to find it satisfying. Is your workplace open and encouraging? Are you treated with respect and genuine interest by your supervisors? Do you feel they have your welfare at heart? Maybe you are treated well but you notice that some of your colleagues are not. Contemporary workplaces should be inclusive places which encourage diversity and give all staff positive feedback. If you work in a toxic or unsatisfying environment, it’s definitely time to move on.

I NEED TO GO. BUT WHERE?

If you decide you need to change jobs, think carefully about your move. When working for a large chain, it’s worth checking out job opportunities in other departments or areas. Are you willing to move to a new city or region to advance your career? What area of retail do you want to move into? Check whether your skills and experience set you up for your desired role. Consider moving to a retail company which offers its staff training plans and career pathways.

I KNOW THE ROLE I WANT. WHEN SHOULD I MOVE?

Timing is everything in retail. The seasonal nature of the industry means quality candidates are in hot demand at various times of the year. These include the pre-Christmas build up and times of peak demand which vary for different retail sectors. Gardening supply centres thrive in spring, for instance, while swimming pool retailers boom in summer. The new financial year can be a great time to make a move. This is when managers traditionally employ new staff and fresh projects tend to kick off.

So, now’s a good time to consider retail job switching. A specialist recruitment agency can help you find perfectly matched jobs in retail.