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?

And- men don't worry about appearing snobby to other men, they are used to boasting about themselves and their achievements, and that's the biggest barrier for women in our sector (academic sector) because they underplay themselves, undersell themselves and don't put themselves forward for better paid/higher status jobs

Okay, but how is that relevant here? During a pandemic OPs sector isn't an option, and it's recovery could be drawn out, so OP isn't willingly turning her back on it or 'dipping out' to try other stuff which might question her dedication to the sector or cause skills fade; it's not an option at the moment at all, and that will be obvious to anyone. The rest of the job market isn't so rosy either, OP evidently needs/wants a job, so the options are to take the job (plenty of men during this have taken jobs in supermarkets etc, my friend who is a pilot is currently working as a delivery driver and hasn't complained), or to have a gap of doing nothing. How is working in a supermarket more of a negative on a CV than doing nothing? And no, it wouldn't be shining as a spotlight on a CV if it doesn't fit in with career aspirations, but a gap that needs explaining would be the same if not worse. Without knowing what OP does in aviation, there are customer service skills still that can be mentioned.

Actually putting it on your CV is good. You can point out that you are able to get on with things when the shit hits the fan! I think an employer would respect this not say ooo nooo you worked at Tesco for 4 months to help feed your family ... No thank you.

Honestly you are over thinking it!

Your feelings are valid and I really get what you are saying. However, we have all discovered just how important supermarket workers are during this pandemic and the job is more valued than it was. I think any employers with common sense will see this role for what it is - you had no job and instead of doing nothing, you rolled up your sleeves and did a valuable job to make ends meet.

Just a thought though - have you applied at M&S food or Waitrose? They have better pay structure and have a reputation for looking after their employees better. No I'm not a snob.

Good luck OP - I couldn't get a job in a supermarket when I wanted one. You seem to be labouring under the same misapprehension I was that I could probably get a job in Supermarket if I wanted/had to. It's not that easy.
As for it on your CV my opinion is you are being ridiculous but as others said you can leave it off it bothers you.

I'd think you'd done well to get a job in a supermarket at the moment tbh! Competition is so fierce. Have you actually been offered a job or is this hypothetical?
I thought this was going to be a thread where you were worried about catching covid whilst working in a supermarket to which I would have said yanbu.
However yabu to just say you don't want to because you're worried what people will think.

Backbee to some extent I agree, this may not be relevant to the OP's situation.

However, there's a real gender divide already in what work men are taking on on a temp basis. That pilot taking on a delivery driver's role- people like that, give approval on FB. I haven't seen many male pilots flooding into the care sectors to provide personal care to old people, or in the cleaning sectors or indeed on the tills in the local ASDA or LIDL or whatever. There's still an 'acceptable' (because men do it and it involves a van, ha ha) job for men to do temporarily, and ones for women.

Women are doing very badly out of this pandemic, in terms of now being affected as they do a lot of front line jobs, impacted more because of childcare and sexist attitudes of their partners. The pay divide between women and men is likely to be bigger at the end of this pandemic, that's what the research shows.

People on this thread are weird though, making out that writing 'temp job on tills at ASDA' is relevant for ALL CV's and that it will be in some way dishonest or snobby not to put that on.

I'm all for strategy - if it works for you to highlight this experience on your CV, do, if it doesn't don't, and it's great if you have money coming in full stop.

I’ve worked in a lot of supermarkets and the skills I learned there springboarded me into my current career path (library assistant working towards librarianship) it’s not dead time. Consider that your industry may not rebound quickly, it will look worse having a long time out of work. Plus if you decide you want to look at different career options in the future you have other basic marketable skills. Customer service is a difficult skill and one that people are so dismissive of u TIL they get bad service!

Try and find some sort of course or learning you can do, relevant to your real career, that you can do WHILST working in Supermarket. Then when the time comes to get back into real career it will be clear that you used covid circumstances to upskill and keep up to date and relevant with career, whilst paying the bills.

OP i work in the travel industry and so far have managed to cling on to my job. When jobs start opening up again there will be thousands of people who have worked elsewhere temporarily. I know industry friends who are working in retail, doing test and trace, care homes and all manner of jobs to make ends meet. Any recruiter in this industry will be fully aware of how few jobs there are out there and will be expecting applicants who have worked in different positions for a while. I worked in retail management before moving into travel and can honestly say I would go back to retail in a shotfor job security if weekend childcare wasn't an issue.

@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!!

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you work in a busy hospital somewhere .

If not this looks like a seriously stupid naive point of view .

I have to say you are being rather unreasonable IMO . ATM I have heard of Airline Pilots ,City Bankers to name but two driving Delivery Vans. There is no shame in earning money legally! Also something to bear in mind is that many of the larger chains, want some experience of the job as well.Its not as easy as people think to just "get a job in Tesco" or wherever!

If you have been offered the job then you have done really well, i work in retail and can tell you that we receive hundreds of applications for each job. I know its not what you want to do but take the job, it will open your eyes to how some of the public really behave and you'll have some interesting stories to tell your fuure colleagues when you eventually get back to your airline/travel job. 😊

Op, I'm a photographer. My work has fallen into the abyss and I've just accepted a job at ASDA because I'd rather my children didn't starve.

Do I want to work in retail? No (not because there's anything wrong with it, just that I've trained very hard to do a job I love and that would be my preferred option). Will I accept the job? Yes. Because as you first stated, 'needs must'

Don't put it on your cv if you don't want to

@Iamthewombat - all I can say to you is you may well miss out on employee of the year with your stupid attitude, and I would never want to work for someone like you.

Absolutely this. I can't bear those sort of snobby, shortsighted, ridiculous attitudes. Glad you're taking OP. It will definitely keep up your self esteem working OP. And give you time to work out what you want to do next. As for those who work in retail I'm really grateful for how you've basically kept the country going during lockdown.

When I had a similar experience a few years ago, I continued doing some freelance work (peanuts) and put that on my CV instead.

When we recruit we don't scrutinise CVs line by line, we look at the bigger picture. Is the candidate smart? Have they shown they can use their initiative? Are they problem solvers? Are they self starters? When times are tough how do they respond? Stuff like that. I'm not sure I'd be rushing to recruit someone who spent the pandemic sitting around on furlough, doing absolutely nothing. I'd be looking for those who set up their own business, furthered their qualifications, worked or otherwise used the time productively. Resilience and flexibility are good qualities in the workplace. No one wants an employee who is too much of a princess to get stuck in.

FWIW non of our managerial team had industry experience when they started with us. We could see they had drive, determination and transferable skills. Best team we've ever had.

That said we are a small independent business. We don't have red tape, and tick box requirements when recruiting. Big Corporates are a bit different. CVs are probably filtered on defined criteria before they make it through to the decision makers. Bit of a shame, as I am sure good candidates get filtered out.

Food for thought maybe.

Oh of course if it was M & S or Waitrose it would look better on your CV than Asda or tesco.

Only on MN.

FWIW non of our managerial team had industry experience when they started with us. We could see they had drive, determination and transferable skills. Best team we've ever had.

This is my experience too. The transferable skills were taken very seriously and were a big advantage.

Get over yourself OP, a job is a job right now supporting yourself should be more important than your pride. If it offends you so much don't put it on your CV.

Have some respect for the supermarket workers they work a thankless job as it as without someone pathetic as you turning your nose up at their job. What's the other option sign on the dole and have a huge gap on your CV?

Apply to Waitrise then?

You are not above this job and unless you have savings for a couple of years of outgoings you can’t afford to think that you are.

Tesco/Asda/Sainsburys money is as good as anyone elses. Unless you think that benefits will cover your needs?

I’m glad you are taking the job. You have no idea how long it might be until your old sector is back in action.

Just swallow your pride and do what you have to do. There is absolutely no shame in working in a supermarket or a care home.
These jobs are not beneath you and you never know, you may actually enjoy it. There will be a lot of other people in the same situation as you who are doing exactly the same, needs must when you’re unemployed.

I'm a student nurse, husband is working every hour god sends. I'm not currently in placement due to covid until January.

I took on a part time job in an off licence. It helps towards the bills and takes some pressure off DH. Hours are super for working around my studies and allows me time to see DS.

Is it the best job in the world? Probably not, I deal with challenging behaviour and the constant threat of covid. But hey ho, I'm doing what I can.

At the minute I'm just so grateful to be employed, many people aren't.

I wouldn't put it on my CV

Nothing and nobody will stop me from providing for my family - by all means necessary.

Even if I had to work in McDonald’s or clean pub toilets.

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

Just don’t put it in your CV if you don’t want to.