to not want to work in a supermarket ..

[Lola528]

Yes, it is very snobby of me I know, and especially right now it’s a “needs must” situation when so
many are being made redundant and don’t have much choice. The only jobs where I am right now seem to be in a supermarket or cleaning houses or offices (I’m a rubbish cleaner).

It may be petty, but I don’t want it on my CV amongst the other jobs I’ve had (aviation/travel working with major players of the industry) to then have “Asda” or equivalent as my most recent job. I just feel I have so much more to offer but nobody in my industry of choice is hiring right now (understandably).

AIBU to think this will go against me for future job opportunities? Or will future potential employees understand this is a blip of “COVID times” and not see it as a negative? Am I just being stupid?

I went into retail after fleeing DV. I had to take the first job I could get. It has definitely gone against me on job applications and now I am stuck.

I just started a volunteer role to try and get out.

For those who are saying just don't mention it on your CV, surely if she then found another job the Op would have to supply the new employer with her P45 so they would see she had worked for a supermarket?

My DH has a “big” career and he worked a second job in a supermarket at one point early in when the money wasn’t coming in to keep us out of financial trouble. Multiple potential employers who’ve interviewed him since then have said they found it a sign of a strong work ethic and good attitude. I’d say YABU.

@BestOption thanks for your honest ;)

@Justmuddlingalong I totally respect those who work in retail, I’m perhaps selfishly worried how the total change in industry/role will affect any future prospects

@movingonup20

There's plenty of care work, otherwise it's slim pickings. My job search conditions from the job centre allow me to be picky for 3 months then I have to apply for anything. Seems fair to me

Oh if only all benefit claimants had the same view. Would be music to the work coachs' ears.

Employers often request your reference to come from your most recent employer as well.

Try to see it as an opportunity. There will be chances to progress. I think Aldi & Lidl pay decent money so maybe look there.

this is depressing!

@Justmuddlingalong

I had hoped that retail staff had gained some respect after they worked tirelessly through lockdown. Hopes dashed.

^ Me too.

Be thankful you have a job offer OP, many don’t get to interview stage due to so many applicants.

Supermarket work is physically hard and demanding. They tend to work you as hard as possible in my experience, having to meet constant targets especially at this time of year.
If you take the job your new colleagues won’t appreciate someone coming in with a chip on their shoulder complaining about the fact they couldn’t get a job in their preferred sector. That’s the impression I get of you rightly or wrongly.

If you want my advice be humble and grateful to earn some money for your family. If you can’t summon up this attitude let someone more appreciative take the job.

I always like to hire people who've done a stint in a supermarket at any stage in their career - it's hard going and you learn a lot of people skills. It's exceptional times OP, do what you need to do.

good luck with all those customers op!! they may or may not break you

hope you are emotionally strong!

Your CV is an advert for your skills.

You can make these skills relevant to future positions.

Customer service tricky situations etc

Or you can leave it off, or put temporary Christmas Position due to lack of positions available

I just want to say my intent is not to belittle anyone working in retail, I think you’ve been a godsend in these COVID times and I applaud you. I just personally would rather stick to the industry I have known and loved for almost 30 years / the status quo as it were!

I guess I’m miffed at being kind of forced (I know nobody’s dragging me in, but need to earn somehow) to work in an area I’m not familiar with and was never on my radar when I envisioned my future.

let someone else have the job then. you'll last 5 minutes going in with that attitude!!

I have a second job working in the post office after I got made redundant from Office manager at the beginning of covid. I have only been able to get low paying temporary admin jobs and the post office shifts have bumped up my pay to a similar level of my office manager role. It's really not what I want to do, it's hard physical work on top of a normal work day in the office, but needs must. I do not put it on my cv but am happy to mention it at interviews.

I tell them what, I find my job stressful a lot of the time and I often say I’d rather work in a supermarket. Bit of banter and crack with your colleagues, just doing what you need to do for the shift.

I’m sure there are stressful times but I imagine it being quite laid back as long as you get your job done.

If trade it for my job!!

You might want to stick to that industry but it is on its knees and you need to accept that. If you are prepared to work hard why can’t supermarket/retail be your new industry? There are always loads of opportunities to progress your career. In my experience the work shy ones with little common sense soon seem to work their way up the ladder into management roles quicker than a rat up a drain pipe 😂

Seriously OP you need to realise that times have changed, you either want some kind of job security or you don’t. This sector is about as secure as it gets right now so you would be daft to miss the chance.

I dont think you should.

Then I, and all the others who got binned off in hospitality last month
(thank you MARSTONS) stand a better chance.

I have no pride when it comes to feeding my kids.

You do what you need to do. I lost my job after 9 years (this wasn't recently so not Covid)
I needed to pay the mortgage so I did care work for a year, then got a foot in the door at another job but only 30hrs a week. So I did both, then offered FT 40hrs a week so I had to give up the care job
Earned money, learnt some new skills and met some incredible people

I dare say there are currently a lot of people working in supermarkets who never expected it to be on their radar either.

Take the job.

@TableFlowerss

I tell them what, I find my job stressful a lot of the time and I often say I’d rather work in a supermarket. Bit of banter and crack with your colleagues, just doing what you need to do for the shift.

I’m sure there are stressful times but I imagine it being quite laid back as long as you get your job done.

If trade it for my job!!

how naive you are!!!

lol...'laid back'....its retail, with covid restrictions. working with the general public!!

I imagine it being quite laid back as long as you get your job done. If trade it for my job!!

🤣🤣🤣

Good one @TableFlowerss - Try a stretch of night shifts in a supermarket and see how laid back you feel and if you still want to trade it for your job.

Don’t worry about moaning either OP. Most of the camaraderie of retail is everyone talking about how it is hell.

I'm a store supervisor in one of the bigger supermarkets, it is hard, yet very rewarding work.
It has been my very best decision, to apply and move up within it. The staff are amazing, it's challenging, creative, physical and I have learned skills I never imagined. I will never leave, if I can avoid it. There is major job security and it kept us comfortable during lockdown, and it saved my sanity at times too!
The public, no doubt are hard, hard work.
I love it.

Believe it or not op, not everyone who works in a supermarket wants to be there either.
But bills don't pay themselves.

I find your attitude repulsive.