GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN WITH A CAREER IN RETAIL
In Australia, our education system very much champions tertiary education and white collar jobs that will guarantee success in terms of ‘wealth’ and ‘job safety.’ Retail isn’t always viewed as a career pathway that will lead you to long-term career success or prosperity. HOWEVER, your Relier Angels are here to tell you that kick-starting your career in retail can and will lead you to a long-term, successful and enjoyable career. Going against the grain of a tertiary supported career pathways isn’t the only road to success!
A career that kick-starts in retail is a career where magical things can happen. Our entire team started their career on the shop floor and have each led incredibly exciting journeys to get to where they are now. To take your retail career far and wide, we say you need:
A passion for what you do
A natural love for ‘servicing’ and going above and beyond for others
A hunger for growth and development
A ‘do whatever it takes’ attitude to achieving success
Perhaps you’re a career retailer who feels a little stuck in a rut, or maybe you’re about to apply for that next big role. Whatever stage of you’re retail journey you are in, we’re here to share of secrets of success and advice as a team who all started in the place we so dearly love - the shop floor.
ADVICE WITH EMILY FA’OA: our Support Office Recruitment Consultant
Em, what was your first leadership role in retail?
An ASM role in fashion retail! I had been working casually for a few years, picking up as many shifts and extra responsibilities as I could. My State Manager at the time asked me if I had ever considered a management role (I hadn’t!) and asked me to think about an opportunity that had just come up at my local store. I came back the next day, said yes and here we are - it was the best decision I ever made and that opportunity has been the springboard to my career in HR.
What skills did you learn that you still use in your role today?
Retail leadership is such an incredible platform to learn an immense number of skills! In how many industries are you asked to be across the numbers, the people, styling, operations, conflict resolution, training and SO much more? Every day is different on the shop floor and you have to be ready to change at the drop of a hat. The skills I have used everyday (no matter what role I have been in) are the ability to build strong relationships, emotional intelligence, resilience, innovative problem-solving and thinking on my feet.
How long does it actually take for someone to make the move from shop floor to an office role?
Everyone’s journey is different. For some it may happen quickly but that is more likely not to be the case. If there is a small piece of advice I could give, it would be that it takes time - and that is okay! By time, I mean your career will be years in the making! I have seen the brands that I have worked for in the past hire an entry-level retail leader who had experience in the business, over an entry-level graduate. It is ideal to organically move through as many roles, stores and opportunities as you possibly can so that you are set up for success and can speak from a place of experience when that perfect role in support office comes up!
ADVICE WITH CHARLOTTE KEDDY: our Marketing & eCommerce Coordinator
So Charlotte, how did you work out what you wanted to do outside of retail?
Luckily, I always knew that I wanted to work in the fashion industry in some way, shape or form. I decided in high school to build my portfolio and apply for Whitehouse Institute of Design in Sydney, where I earned a Bachelor of Design specialising in Creative Direction & Styling. I completed six Digital Design Subjects throughout my degree which opened my eyes to the world of creative marketing and graphic design, a career path I found slightly more diverse than solely fashion styling. Although styling will always be a passion of mine, I found digital creation a lot more accessible, especially up in Brisbane where I am now based.
How did you score your first role that wasn’t retail/shop floor based?
I would say a mixture of networking and my degree landed me my first Digital Design role for a premium Australian jewellery designer. A fellow colleague in the industry suggested me for the role, which resulted in me getting to show them what I could do design wise and ultimately securing the job. A huge piece of advice I could give is don’t be afraid to use your network, because at the end of the day you’ll get the job based off what you bring to the table, so always take advantage of what comes your way! My fabulous Digital Design teacher from Whitehouse also coached me through this process and I am forever grateful that I asked him for help and used these resources to my advantage.
What advice do you have for aspiring marketers who are currently on the shop role and would love a position like yours in future?
I would say first and foremost work for a brand that you love! Passion is the key to progression and high performance, especially in retail where it can be quite competitive. I also think it is super important to inform your managers and leaders of your goals within the industry. This will allow them to monitor your progression and acknowledge that your hard work is because you’re dedicated to the company and would love to work your way up. Short term goals such as undergoing head office internships will also allow you to build personal connections with your leadership team and learn real-life skills that are relevant to the degree you’re studying. It’s all about using your resources to your advantage and gaining as much experience as possible.
ADVICE WITH JESS SHANNON: our Office & Retail Recruitment Consultant
Jess, how did you decide what type of role you wanted to move into after your time on the shop floor?
I would say it was a combination of a few things. One of my first interviews for my first ‘official’ role in retail, I was awestruck by the person interviewing me. She had worked her way up the retail ladder and managed the recruitment and training for the state of the brand I worked for. It was her passion for her role which made me want to move into recruitment. A few years later, while studying HR at University, I connected and networked with Lauren, which was my first introduction to retail recruitment. From there, I havent looked back! In short, for me it was being infront of the right people, and putting my hand up for any new opportunities which lead me to deciding where I wanted to be after the shop floor. Not to mention, dedication, hard work and willingness to continuously grow which has lead me to the position I am in today.
What were the most impactful skills or knowledge you learnt in your time working in retail?
I’m so grateful for my time on the shop floor, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do today without that experience! Two things stick out the most for me. Firstly, the skill of being able to connect with a variety of people, both customers and colleagues. When you’re on the shop floor, you have to be able to listen to exactly what people are looking for, and pivot for different options when needed. Secondly, being able to manage a multitude of tasks in a short amount of time. Being on the shop floor teaches you the importance of good time management, which is highly beneficial to any role you step into after your time in retail.
What advice do you have for retailers who want a recruitment/HR role like yours?
Network, Network, Network. We’ve all heard the saying it’s not what you know it’s who you know, and I believe this statement wholeheartedly. There is no harm in reaching out to someone who you find aspirational in your industry, they may just keep you in mind for any opportunities that come up down the line! My other piece of advice is get ahead of your peers if you’re studying and obtain real industry experience. Internships are so highly valued on a resume. Chances are if you go for a role in Recruitment/HR against someone who just has a tertiary qualification, compared to if you have a tertiary education and 3-6 months of industry experience, you’ll most likely be the top candidate for the position. If you’re unsure about how to land the internship of your dreams, we have a blog for that! Check it out our internship blog here.
ADVICE WITH LAUREN DICK: Our Recruitment & Training Director
Lauren, what was your first leadership role in retail?
My first leadership role was as a Full Time Sales Associate. I was so eager to step into a full time role after loving everything sales and service in the years leading up to this. Within around 18 months I had moved into 2IC and eventually Store Manager. My Store Management position is still my favourite position I’ve ever had. My team became my best friends and I was learning so much about how to be a great leader and what other career pathways might open up for me if I performed in that role. I loved being in a position where I was managing every facet of ‘my business’ at the time - numbers, people, operations. I had the chance to really decide what I loved most about my role and how I could take that further in my career.
What skills did you learn that you still use in your role today?
Honestly - there’s not a single skill I learnt that I don’t use. I had so many wins and made so many mistakes and I’ve carried this with me ever since. More specifically, I was really able to experiment with what did and didn’t work when it came to people leadership and motivating others. I was exposed to recruitment for the first time (insert love heart eye emoji) and was responsible for delivering sales success through the right strategy. I was also trained on profit and loss management - a skill that is now very handy to have even just a small amount of exposure to as I assess this every fortnight in the business now. Taking on my first retail leadership role shaped the entirety of the career I have led since and I wouldn’t change it for the world. There’s not a single role I can think of that I could have done at the age of 19 that would give me the level of responsibility and passion that I felt at that time!
What is the most common mistake you see shop floor retailers making when applying for jobs to move into the office?
Not having a clear pathway in mind or wanting the move for the wrong reasons. The most common reason we have retail leaders saying no to us when we present roles is because they ‘want to move to the office.’ But so many retailers don’t take the time to assess what it is they really want to do in the office and why they would enjoy it. We can’t help someone make career moves if their goals aren’t clear and there are so many office pathways available. Some require study, some don’t. Some require a shop floor skills, others require a vastly different skillset. There’s no point in moving to the office because you want to get off the shop floor or you don’t want to work weekends. It has to be fuelled by something bigger - it’s your career and you should LOVE it.
ADVICE WITH EMILY PRESTON: Our Retail Recruitment Consultant
What was ‘the moment’ when you scored that role that moved you from shop floor to office door?
I had made the decision to move from a larger company to a smaller brand in an effort to develop my skill set in all areas and ideally create a larger impact with a greater opportunity to grow. After expressing my interest in career development and taking on any opportunities and responsibilities that were offered (as well as seeking some out on my own!), the company I was with supported my career goals by moving me into a Cluster Manager role for my state. This role truly paved the way for my progression into office as it wasn’t long after this I was approached by a hiring manager on LinkedIn for a State Manager position and I absolutely jumped at the opportunity!
What skills did you need to develop before being considered for that role and how did your retail leadership positions help you to do this?
Being a Store Manager was imperative for me to reach this goal. To be successful in securing a role such as a State Manager, it is so important to have a strong understanding and multiple examples of how you can motivate your teams to grow KPIs and reach targets, resolve conflict, performance manage, plan for success and develop your team to achieve their own career goals. Over my years of experience in management I was able to build a strong sense of who I was as a leader and what I brought to the table, which is so is have a much larger influence in these higher roles.
What advice do you have for someone early in their retail leadership career who really wants that office role in the coming years?
Be clear on what your goals are with your leaders, ask for feedback on your performance and take it onboard, take on extra projects or responsibilities for the experience and don’t be afraid to share any suggestions you may also have to improve performance. These are all things that help a team member to really stand out. If you have done these things and are still in a space where you feel undervalued, unheard or maybe you have just hit a glass ceiling with progression and what you can learn from your current employer, make a jump. When I moved from a management role with a high-turnover and fast paced company to the same role in a smaller, more boutique company, I actually took a pretty big hit salary wise, however, it was the best risk I've ever taken for my personal progression and I have never looked back!
We hope we’ve left you feeling inspired and empowered about your own choice to pursue a career in retail. We can promise, with a sprinkling of the right accompanying ingredients, this special place will take you places.
And if you’re looking for that next shop-floor move to add to your repertoire, you know the Job Board is ALWAYS waiting for you.
XOXO Retail Girl