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 think it's fair enough to feel low and a sense of grief at having lost your own job and needing to take a job you never wanted to do in a sector totally unrelated to what you want to do and where you feel competent and capable.

Better to just let yourself feel those things so they can filter out of your system than berate yourself for your emotions.

If you've been offered the job, I'd take it and keep in mind it's not forever.

You won’t be the only one in this boat.
Crawley, slough and Luton have all been hit hard and seen a higher then average claims for unemployment benefits
www.centreforcities.org/blog/october-update-what-do-the-latest-unemployment-claim-figures-mean-for-the-largest-cities-and-towns/

Due to the loss of jobs In aviation and support workers at Gatwick and Luton. I know someone delivery driving for a supermarket who now earnings in a week what he used to earn in a day working at Gatwick. He hates it but he needs to earn something.

@AgeLikeWine

If I were hiring and I saw a highly qualified applicant who had taken a job in a supermarket to make ends meet during a pandemic when work was unavailable in their ‘normal’ field, I would be very impressed and look extremely favourably on their application.

100% this. I have the responsibility of hiring people where I work and I wouldn't think oh god no, they worked at a supermarket. If you have the skills I am looking for, that's all that matters to me not that you took a job in a supermarket during a pandemic.

I work for a major supermarket and we have new colleagues from all walks of life working for us atm - finance managers, accountants, people who ran chains of restaurants, people who ran hotel chains...

Everyone is just doing what they can to keep afloat in the present times.

I do think your attitude is quite snobby, actually. We also have permanent colleagues who have previously been big cheeses in other industries.

I’ve done a few short term jobs in retail etc over the years which don’t fit in with my career path. I just don’t put them on my CV.

Alternatively, when I was looking for temp work this year after losing my job due to Covid, I had a new CV for applying to supermarkets etc which omitted the senior jobs I’ve had

Don’t know if that’s a white or outright lie but needs must

Have you tried applying for care work, OP? That's another industry notoriously sneered at as not a proper career.

I am finding the people on here saying they would employ retail workers very encouraging.

Thank you.

Bloody hell - I hope no one who actually works in a supermarket is reading this.

I mean there is a very high chance that there will be supermarket workers here on Mumsnet OP!! ... Had you not thought about that?

Perhaps you don't care what your snobbery might make them feel.

Surely when the time is right to go back into the travel industry there will be thousands of people going back who worked in other jobs to make ends meet?

You are not in a situation where the travel industry was ticking along fine and you randomly decided to go and work in Tesco for a while but are now trying to get back in. In that case you might well get some odd attitudes to the temporary career change.

But right now everyone in travel knows there are no jobs in travel so it’s hardly going to be a tricky one to explain. So many CVs in all sectors are going to have very odd entries for 2020.

If you leave it blank a future employer will ask what you were doing. I'm sure most would think it was enterprising of you to do whatever it takes during these difficult times, and not hold it against you.

Sitting at home on your bottom - they might!

However - you might not find it that easy to get a job in a supermarket. They can tell if someone isn't wholehearted, and won't want someone who might leave as soon as something 'better' comes along. I imagine they have queues of really enthusiastic people wanting to join them right now........

You are possibly not aware how much some retail you koko tees are paid either are you... shop floor entry through to store manager probably has a 4 fold variation, for a huge responsibility- keep the customers happy, the shelves stocked, and work safely, job done. And as a manager handle a million quid a week, look after 250+ staff, and ensure everything is done on time, always. I think you will be amazed at what a machine it is.... regardless whether it’s aldi or booths... aviation- I hear you say cabin crew? I could assume that was sky waiter, or I could acknowledge its full first aid health and safety- get my point?

I’m told Aldi has one of the best/most sought after graduate schemes in the U.K.

Post divorce I had to start again and took a job in a supermarket, got a promotion and in the two years I was there learnt more than anything else I’ve done.
I’m afraid you are stereotyping appalling if you think the work is beneath you and it really reflects badly on you.

Unemployed because I thought I was better than the jobs on offer may also not look great......providing you even get a supermarket job- there are many people looking for work who may not see it as a negative having a job, or as it being beneath them because it's in a supermarket. Alternatively if you do get a role, don't put it on then. But I'd assume more employers won't care, and would see it was due to your industry suffering due to restrictions

There are loads of people on LinkedIn proudly proclaiming that they’re working in supermarkets having lost their jobs. It might not be the dream career you’ve chosen for yourself but let’s face it, travel/tourism is on the way way out anyway. That market will take a long time to recover and I suspect it will never be the player it once was. If you take a job in a supermarket you’re providing a much needed service, gaining customer service skills, team working skills etc. etc. Post it on all your SM with pride saying while you can’t fly you’ll continue to work hard and take pride in your job. Also use the time to think about reskilling - do a management qualification or something so that you will be eligible for more opportunities when they come along.

Thanks everyone.

If I offended you I apologise, it was not my intention.

The industry I know and love had been decimated so I guess I’m in mourning for that too. I promise I don’t see myself as “above” working in retail, it’s just such an unexpected diversion after 30
Years.

I’m taking the job and I’ll out it on my cv with pride :)

having this on your CV will demonstrate a willingness to work and do whatever you need to in order to support yourself/your family. Future employers will look kindly on that. you’ll also be able to demonstrate having gained/enhanced some transferable skills, there are bound to be some. Sell it as a positive and others will also see it as such - people prepared to roll their sleeves up and crack on are welcome in most industries!

the travel industry is fucked!

i do worry where all the retail workers will go on holiday if this is the case though....as they have worked all the way through this covid mess and lets face it, doing alright from it financially....suppose it would be them paying your wages op....you know, if you have a travel industry job to go back to..

I would take it and put it on a CV.Surely during these Covid times employers would understand and if you can relate the skills you used to another role, then all the better.

**how naive you are!!!

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

Oh I mean under normal circumstances. I couldn’t hack working in a supermarket during covid. It would finish me off

As an employer it would show a fantastic work ethic and a great attitude, both of which are very important attributes.
You could mention in your cover letter that you took the role because you wanted to keep working, despite it not being your chosen career

@OopsUpsideYerHead

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.

I couldn’t do night shifts like! That would finish me off as well 😳

I was an accountant, now supermarket shelf stacker & it's hard work.

So if I ever need to update my CV for another career move its def going on there.
Customer service, initiative, heavy lifting, relative efficiencies every day - I think the perception of it being menial is in our own heads.

I challenge anyone who thinks this type of work is easy to work a few shifts, I'm sure they'll change their views

It is a respectable job, it is an essential role in very difficult times. Like you said, it’s in a different industry to your own, so there will be many new skills which may be transferable or at least enriching. It is nothing to be ashamed of; I would consider you to be resilient, resourceful and not averse to going outside your comfort zone. I hear these jobs are not easy to secure, so well done and best of luck in your new job if you go ahead!