If you worked in retail...

[ChangesAt30]

And then moved onto a complete different role, what was it?

I've worked in retail for 13 years, now at management level, and would like to do something different but I don't know what! Have applied for 20-30 jobs, in various fields, but no luck so far.

Worried I'm just being put into the 'retail' box and won't be able to escape it.

I moved from retail management into HR but had to go via some admin temping as I had no office experience. Then moved into an HR admin role and up from there.

@flowery thanks for the reply funny enough I've always quite fancied HR, I did a short term stint in HR years ago and enjoyed it, and wouldn't mind going back. Have a law degree and it was always one of the areas I considered.

Anyone else?

I spent 4/5 years as a retail manager. I then went to university. I also volunteered at CAB and now work in welfare rights.

I did a graduate scheme at a retailer, then moved into project management.

I went from retail to commercial in civil service

I've worked in retail for 13 years, now at management level, and would like to do something different but I don't know what!

Could you start HR-related qualifications now, as part time night school study? That moves your CV more towards that discipline. Civil Service would potentially take you on at a lower grade but they are good at promoting from within for those who have external industry experience in different fields ( I'm thinking your management experience would count if you have line-managed and can exemplify strong appreciation of corporate policy and employment law). Your career path could be HR assistant > HR advisor > HR manager/business partner

It's important you shape your CV accordingly and ensure relevant skills and past experience are contextualised to the new vacancy you're applying for.

I went into banking and then a mortgage adviser. I now run my own retail business!

Office management

On the CS Jobs portal there are also tangential HR roles such as Talent Manager which is a role to extend existing capability in the organisation, including grad scheme and apprentices plus other types of employee wanting advancement. Transferable skills could be any line manager development and performance duties you've been doing in your retail job.

I worked in retail from 16 to 32 the last 9 years being a regional manager, I didn't think I would ever do anything else as wasn't sure what I could even do but I was approached to apply for a job in private healthcare (specialised area I had personal experience of) I made the change and it was the best thing I ever did

I went from retail management to Civil Service - public facing role so past experience was relevant. I actually went in at low level admin but was promoted within a matter of weeks.

Went from retail to a loca council admin job. They then launched a scheme for graduates to train as teachers to help with shortages. So completed
My postgraduate teaching diploma whilst working full time and with time off for placements. I'm now on my second year as a primary teacher.

Another one into the civil service. I really struggled with trying to move over - It sounds really egotistical, but I think I would have been successful with non retail role interviews, but I think my CV just wasn’t strong enough to ‘sell’ me.
The civil service (and the local councils - for which I applied as well) often use competencies where you can demonstrate all the key skills they want. I am convinced ex retail managers have a massive skills base!
The civil service and the council had a really wide variety of roles as well.