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?

Lots of horrible snobbish comments on this thread. I remember the first lockdown when we all said it would change people for the better, make us view the world differently. Wishful thinking.

Good luck with the new job OP, you might actually enjoy it.

I'm 3 weeks in to my new job shelf stacking at a bargain high street supermarket. My whole life in full time Customer Service or Admin roles with the last 3 years temping due to trying to find that elusive work life balance. Since March I haven't been able to secure either Temp or full time roles and have been taking what work I can to keep the pennies coming in. Although now in my mid 50s and consider myself quite fit I've found a lot of the manual jobs I've been taking-on just too physically demanding - I tried warehouse operative, working nights. The nights I was getting used to (it was good money) but was in absolute agony by the end of the 8 hour shift with excruciatingly painful osteoarthritis flaring up in my hands and my back and feet taking a pounding from constant standing. I could have hardened my back and feet to it but the osteoarthritis in my hands broke me - I only managed 3 weeks and had to jack it in. The shelf stacking is bloody hard work too especially as it's minimum wage but 5 x 4 hour evening shifts are bearable (that's all they could offer anyway). The management and colleagues are all lovely but I'm still desperately applying for admin jobs although I think my age is starting to count against me. I've updated my CV to disguise this as much as possible. I've got another job lined up at the end of the month, it's full time, better money although 12 hour carer shifts 😱... Wish me luck!

There's going to be thousands of people with "big" careers who end up with something on their CV like "Worked at my local supermarket during 2020". I think only the most elitist, employers would have a problem with that. Even in the future you can pass it off in one or two quick lines on your CV.

I know several people who applied for jobs at supermarkets, both shop floor staff and drivers, who were rejected. If you were actually offered something, you're luckier than you think.

Could apply for Waitrose ?

Think about the skills you will gain, customer service, dealing with difficult people, stock control, cash handling. Just think of it as a skill gaining course that you will get paid for. The skills that you gain will add to your CV.

"...I have so much more to offer..."

Not right now you don't.

Supply & Demand - And no one is demanding what you're offering.

I sympathise though. I was highly skilled, qualified & experienced in an industry which became obsolete (years ago before Covid!). Apart from my hard work ethic and people skills, the rest of my qualifications and hands-on experience became null & void overnight.

(wasn't worth applying to other businesses as the whole sector was in decline)

It hurts, but you just have to shrug it off, accept what's on offer to you now and see where you go from there.

I've also done supermarket work in a past life. It was hard work, but it was good fun. Great camaraderie and, in the "lower ranks" - less stressful - do your job, go home. No mental load to carry.

I have just gone back to work after furlough. Hours cut by 1/3. So I have also started shelf stacking for a supermarket a couple of nights a week. It’s only temporary until Christmas but it’s some extra money to make up for the drop in my wages.

In my experience there are 2 types of people. Those who will do whatever needs to be done, wether that’s shelf stacking to put food on the table or doing tasks in their normal job that is ‘beneath them’ and normally done by someone lower paid but if it needs to get down they pitch in, then you get the other type who won’t do anything they see as menial, and are rubbish team players.

I don't think you'll have to worry about putting it on your CV because I can't see you lasting long enough there with your attitude. Remember that the job you are ashamed of is a dream for someone who's having a tough time at the moment so take a moment to be grateful you've actually got a wage coming in, good luck because I have a feeling you are going to need it.

@GillDW30 I'm currently got a job at Waitrose. Nights. But it's bloody hard demanign work. Love it and great team. There's alot to be said for turning up, doing your job and leaving. I love that I'm not bringing my work home with me mentally or physically.

I work and recruit staff within travel. I’m hanging onto my job - just - and recently furloughed. I could be out of work at anytime and would take any job that brought in money.

I’d take the job but put on my CV something like:

July 2020 - January 2021 Temporary Work
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the industry I took on a range of temporary customer facing roles, while continuing to keep abreast of industry news. During this period I did online training in x, y, z as part of ongoing personal development.

After seeing just how many people are struggling to pay their mortgage after their 6 month holiday period ends and they have lost their jobs, if I were in that situation I would take ANY job to keep a roof over my children's head, and sod anyone who might judge me for that.

I've spoken to so many people in that situation who are so worried and desperately looking for any job. If a company saw a supermarket job on my CV and judged me for it, they're not the type of company I want to work for.

As another posted said, it's disappointing to see how little respect retail workers seem to get, considering they have been one of the industries still working throughout the pandemic, often dealing with awful customers. Having worked in retail, it's a hell of a lot tougher than people seem to think, with not a lot of reward.

If I was looking at a CV I would never think less of someone who took on a supermarket job to make ends meet.

Good luck with your new job. It is very hard when made redundant after many years in a particular sector. Be kind to yourself, starting any new job is always tiring in the beginning.

@Justmuddlingalong

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

This.

I hope the people that have taken work in supermarkets because of the job situation, don’t laugh it off when they have their old work back.

ExH was made redundant right at the start of covid, pre-furlough. He has a similar attitude toward his skils and worth. He is still unemployed and still skint. I am now paying off a huge debt, that should be his alone (all his, pre marriage. I am a fool who agreed to a mortgage in joint names to clear it), leaving me and my children ever skinter, because of his stupid pride.

I dislike the view on being 'too good' for jobs intently.

When I was a graduate I always got conflicting advice from career advisors etc on this sort of thing. Some said list every job, others said tailor it what you were applying for. I tendes to choos the latter and filled gaps with other stuff like voluntary work, tutoring(all legit) if I thought it wouldnt count against me. I do feel employers or at least HR tend to focus on the current role you are in...so even if you were ceo 20 years ago it risks being overlooked. I guess ultimately it depends on how long you work at the supermarket and what else you do alongside you can market as your 'field'.

I can’t believe some of the advice on here, if you need a salary, and who doesn’t then you need to take the job.

Put it on your CV, otherwise your future employer will be surprised that your P45 mentions a supermarket as your last employer.

My shopping was delivered by a really nice guy, who was made redundant from his job in aviation.

No future employer will think anything bad of taking a supermarket job at the moment, it’s a case of needs must.

I’m a recruiting manager and like recruiting people with the right skills for the industry who also bring in a diversity of experience in other areas/roles. A diversity of experience and insight into how big organisations work within my team is something which brings benefits.

Do the job, but leave it off the cv. I agree its fine for graduates but its stupid for senior professionals, like listing gcses when you have a phd.

Id rather hire someone who was prepared to take any job to make ends meet than a snob....

Aviation isn't likely to come back for at least 2 years - you going to sit at home for the next 2 years bemoaning your lot whilst presumably your partner bears the financial brunt of supporting the family all because you think yourself above a supermarket job???

As an employer I'd look on it far more favourably than a gap and considering the current situation it would evidence a good work ethic, good decision making and being able to get through difficult times by adapting.

The snobbishness around this is really unappealing and if I had found out you'd excluded it from your CV it would reflect very negatively on your application. I simply wouldn't employ someone who had this attitude.

My industry was badly hit in the 2010 recession. When things picked up again, some of us came back. That we could talk about experience elsewhere (even less well paidroles) was a plus.

It's not like anyone interviewing you will thnk you had loads of opportunities in travel this year

Missing something off a CV if found out later is grounds for dismissal I understand. Or suspicion that you were doing something such as Extinction Rebellion or drug dealing.

How you describe it is another matter.