For Store Managers that have left the company, what type of positions did you transition to?
After being in retail management for so long I am really not sure what other jobs I would be qualified for. I am not interested traditional retail, as the nights and weekends, too old for that.
I have been with Follett for over 20+ years and change is very hard but I can't continue working for a company that has NO value for its employees.
Go work at Half Price Books or B&N they have better pay and give raises.
Look into Independant University Bookstores — they’ll appreciate your follett experience and it’s sooooo much less stress.
Thank you for asking this question and those that have posted such great replies. I am a store manager and ready to jump ship.
I run a small store, small staff, and have to do every single task a large store needs to do, except they have department managers and office staff and shipping staff, I do it all. Sh-- pay, years without a raise, and the only thing my r.m does is find fault, home office give more task (safety training for a bookstore for hazardous materials?) and now appraisals. why? unless you are giving me a raise I don't want a review.
1/2 the managers in my region are actively job hunting.
I know former store people who have moved into university purchasing departments, private company libraries, and marketing. I moved into university facilities management.
One thing that is very important is a good resume. I didn't really have significant job market interest until I had a professional complete my resume. It was not cheap but totally worth the investment. I took for granted the many roles I held. The resume specialist was able to sit with me and identify skills that I had not even considered. Once she gave me my updated resume, I was kind of blown away at the variety of skills listed.
Consider looking into higher ed openings (auxiliary services, business office, HR, library, etc.) as you have specific industry experience. Good luck!!
I worked at the home office for many years before being laid off. I was always impressed with Follett store managers. They manage all functions of a stores, have little support from the home office, poor systems and a difficult client base (the students and school). The post below is exactly right, you management so many different business functions and have so many skills. Keep your head up and talk about all of these responsibilities during the interview.
You do many jobs as a manager. Focus on the aspects you enjoy and are good at. Accounting and AR-You reconcile accounts, analyze financial statements, submit purchase analysis errors, balance cash drawers, make sure deposits match back office (audits).... loss prevention-risk analysis, prevention plans, shrink strategies, inventory management, audits, review of markups and markdowns, oversight reporting... Human Resources-Interviewing, hiring, training, payroll, performance evaluation and planning, corrective action... These are just a few things you can focus a job search on... Find a niche and sell your transferrable skills (easier than selling the programs you try to sell every day...)... and if you think you need more education, go to school-no matter how old you are... show that you have drive and determination...
Great question. I have he same dilemma. I would love to know how people transitioned if they got out of the retail trap.