tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post3711225695932597286..comments2023-09-29T06:09:21.089-04:00Comments on Ask a Manager: should you include retail work on your professional resume?Ask a Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05281942480230532899noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-42933617127793140072010-05-20T10:56:32.740-04:002010-05-20T10:56:32.740-04:00I'm having the opposite dilemma. I was laid of...I'm having the opposite dilemma. I was laid off from a field I've been working in for the past eight years. Before that I worked in retail for nearly seven years.<br /><br />It's been almost 11 months and I still have not found a job, so I am going to go back to retail. I want them to see that I have retail experience (including a stint as a manager), but my most recent jobs have not been retail. Most retail job apps don't leave much room for experience. How should I handle this?Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01418819304741642658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-79536347757599692182010-05-05T10:02:21.387-04:002010-05-05T10:02:21.387-04:00I think it's definitely better to put it on th...I think it's definitely better to put it on than leave it off. Ultimately, having a job is better than looking like you haven't had one in that period of time.<br /><br />Also, it shows you have experience in other sectors, making you a more rounded, experienced person. <br /><br />And like the commenter said above, it's always good for conversation in the interview! Just make sure you're articulate in any questions relating to it!Rosshttp://www.argoscareers.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-2322411363146611982010-01-31T11:22:19.656-05:002010-01-31T11:22:19.656-05:00As a person who's resume reads oddly because I...As a person who's resume reads oddly because I have worked in many different industries, I'd like to add that keeping stuff like retail on when you're applying for admin jobs looks fine if you can note an accomplishment while in the retail gig. For example I completely revamped the training program at my last retail job and wrote corresponding documentation. So even though it's a ways back on my timeline, I usually find a way to include it (love the additional experience idea) since that's something that's marketable in any company. Not to mention I end up doing it in darned near any job I ever have.TheLabRathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12519299790907271971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-19623575245049183752010-01-27T01:39:49.824-05:002010-01-27T01:39:49.824-05:00I wouldn't put an irrelevant job in the resume...I wouldn't put an irrelevant job in the resume, but I might look for an opportunity to mention it in the interview as a way of demonstrating that you like to be busy-- you don't just sit around watching TV when you're out of work, and you're not too proud to do something outside of your main area. I think that speaks well of your character. But I wouldn't emphasize it, or it'll sound like you're focusing on irrelevancies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-75147323567600816242010-01-26T15:06:16.034-05:002010-01-26T15:06:16.034-05:00Congrats on your job offer!
I was recently out of...Congrats on your job offer!<br /><br />I was recently out of full time work, and I had had a part-time retail job as a 2nd job that ended up helping to carry me through my unemployment. I put it at the end of my relevant experience and listed it as "Additional Experience" so they could easily see I kept busy between my "real" jobs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-76270944732524491352010-01-26T08:56:50.726-05:002010-01-26T08:56:50.726-05:00That's great news. I don't think it reall...That's great news. I don't think it really would matter either way. There are more important things that a hiring decision hinges on besides whether you worked in retail the past 3 months or were unemployeed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-88150575509556077682010-01-25T23:20:44.376-05:002010-01-25T23:20:44.376-05:00Congratulations, Steph, that's awesome!Congratulations, Steph, that's awesome!Ask a Managerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05281942480230532899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-42670131542011964272010-01-25T23:19:53.847-05:002010-01-25T23:19:53.847-05:00This is actually my question that I submitted! I&...This is actually my question that I submitted! I'm happy to report that I was offered an accounting position today! You're right, they didn't think anything of my three month gap in my resume.Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01479087500253663155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-83764538024952907482010-01-25T21:57:28.393-05:002010-01-25T21:57:28.393-05:00A job application is a legal document, so I think ...A job application is a legal document, so I think you should always include your jobs there--but they usually only ask you for your last three jobs or so, so even a younger professional won't have to list everything going back to their paper route.<br /><br />I agree with Askamanager--most hiring managers want to only see relevant work history, and won't think a three month hiatus in this economy is a matter for concern. There will always be hiring managers, though, that disregard an applicant for any number of unfair reasons, and the best thing to do is just move on; you don't want to work for them anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-66309628139980276792010-01-25T20:44:17.566-05:002010-01-25T20:44:17.566-05:00What about job applications? Some of them ask for ...What about job applications? Some of them ask for employment going back ten years. I'm only 25, so that would mean many, many entries for jobs in restaurants, retail stores etc.<br /><br />Should I list EVERYTHING on those? Keep in mind this isn't for a job requiring a clearance or anything like that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558939360732260529.post-44530988239765428432010-01-25T19:53:57.953-05:002010-01-25T19:53:57.953-05:00I spent a couple of years as a bank teller many ye...I spent a couple of years as a bank teller many years ago, and while it's fallen off because of its age, I did include it for a long time. It usually sparked some conversation, and I was always careful to point out some valuable people skills I learned (mainly how to smile when someone was getting my goat).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com