I just quit my job!

[Finalnight]

*

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I have no real work experience, even though I have managed a $20 million sales department with 15 direct reports and a $10 million set of departments with 12 direct reports.

Either you didn't have much of a role in this, or you did, and just want to talk about it online.

I'm sorry if I sound harsh or rude, but that's how you come off.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Finalnight
I am worried that when employers see that I am a upcoming graduate they will assume I have no real work experience, even though I have managed a $20 million sales department with 15 direct reports and a $10 million set of departments with 12 direct reports. I graduate next May.

This is why you have a resume...

 

[Finalnight]

Cliffed, just don't complain that I didn't give enough info.

 

[potoba]

i dont believe in going to school and working both fulltime. Well, you can get away with a degree, but i doubt of the quality...
You have made a good decision, i think.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Finalnight
Cliffed, just don't complain that I didn't give enough info.

I read it and still think my post is right... I honestly did *not* mean to come off as an asshole, but if you did all that, why are you doubting it? On a resume, it will speak for itself, and so will the fact that you were able to manage all that and school at the same time, it's very impressive.

I don't doubt your ability or anything, you have done a lot, all I'm saying is that I got a different impression by how you ended your post.

 

[jackace]

The problem is restaurant and retail management for some reason are not consider very impressive to recruiters in any other industries. I have found this out the hard way. The reason they tell me is "anyone can get those jobs." His concerns are valid. Unless he was the General Store Manager his experience might be criticized greatly (as mine has) if he tries to enter another industry at mid-level management.

edit- I too quit my job and finished my degree because of this problem.

I even had a recruiter tell me that, "restaurant experience doesn't count as supervisory experience." I asked him why. His response was something like, it's not a real job, any high school kid can do that job.

 

[AlgaeEater]

Start networking immediately while you're finishing up school. The best job you'll get is the job you get connected to by a contact.

I graduated and didn't get the hook up, and had to go through the whole 2 months of hell job hunting to finally land my current career position. My GF got hooked up straight out of college with her job, no fuss, no hassle.

I can't say anything more than start building relationships with your professors or an counselor. They'll get you that "real job" pretty damn fast.

 

[AlgaeEater]

Originally posted by: jackace
The problem is restaurant and retail management for some reason are not consider very impressive to recruiters in any other industries. I have found this out the hard way. The reason they tell me is "anyone can get those jobs." His concerns are valid. Unless he was the General Store Manager his experience might be criticized greatly (as mine has) if he tries to enter another industry at mid-level management.

edit- I too quit my job and finished my degree because of this problem.

I even had a recruiter tell me that, "restaurant experience doesn't count as supervisory experience." I asked him why. His response was something like, it's not a real job, any high school kid can do that job.

I respect anyone who puts in a hard day's work. I do think however that HR people see retail/restaurant hierarchy's as too broad.

Common Hierarchy Example:
(Associate - Senior Associate - Team lead - Shift manager - Assistant manager - General manager - Store manager)

I think that's where they start counting it as "manager" experience.

 

[jackace]

Originally posted by: AlgaeEater

Originally posted by: jackace
The problem is restaurant and retail management for some reason are not consider very impressive to recruiters in any other industries. I have found this out the hard way. The reason they tell me is "anyone can get those jobs." His concerns are valid. Unless he was the General Store Manager his experience might be criticized greatly (as mine has) if he tries to enter another industry at mid-level management.

edit- I too quit my job and finished my degree because of this problem.

I even had a recruiter tell me that, "restaurant experience doesn't count as supervisory experience." I asked him why. His response was something like, it's not a real job, any high school kid can do that job.

I respect anyone who puts in a hard day's work. I do think however that HR people see retail/restaurant hierarchy's as too broad.

Common Hierarchy Example:
(Associate - Senior Associate - Team lead - Shift manager - Assistant manager - General manager - Store manager)

I think that's where they start counting it as "manager" experience.

Exactly. That's why if you are not a store manager, have the possibility of becoming one soon or shortly after you receive a degree, it can be a much larger benefit to your career if you just get your education done asap rather then extend your schooling time out 2-3 extra years. Now if financially you need that money then that needs to be considered too.

 

[pyonir]

Welcome to the world of unemployment. Oops...but i'm not in school. Ugh

 

[Finalnight]

Thanks for the advice guys, at all 3 supervisory/management positions I had I was soley responsible for the unit's performance and all HR/merchandising decisions around that unit and bonused off that performance. Hopefully that will help.

I generally avoid networking since I always feel like I am being fake with people since I am basically getting to know someone just so they can hook me a up with a job or a lead.

Luckily, most of the people I have known during my retail career have moved into corporate positions and may be able to get me a hook up. Any ideas on how to network without actually going out and "networking"? Someone told me the best way is to just let everyone you know, know that you are looking for a new job.