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I currently work in retail after looking for work for awhile and am still looking for something better. If I list this retail job as my current position while applying to more professional jobs will I be looked down upon for working a job that basically anyone can get? Should I just leave it off? (there would be a 1 year unemployment gap if I do).
For the most part the answer is no however one "could" have an issue if the retail chain in question is Walmart. Yes many people hate Walmart for one reason or another but there are also those who hate HATE Walmart to the point where they will look down at anyone who works for them and it wouldn't surprise me at all if a handful of those people are hiring managers. Reminds me of Seven-Eleven back in the 80s and early 90s. In those days there were no shortage of those who hated that chain. Back in 1991 I had an interview with a hospital in Virginia. During the interview when the HR lady looked at my resume and noticed that I had once worked for Seven Eleven she made a comment about how she and several other folks had successful stopped them from opening up a store in her hometown because the store was "..so trashy" and how their employees would often attract the worst in people. Of course I didn't get the job.
Last edited by tantan1968; 11-26-2015 at 12:19 PM..
As someone who worked retail for almost five years during college, I can tell you that most of the hiring managers have not looked favorably upon it at all. Unless you're applying for a customer service position or a retail management position, the hiring manager has looked at me like I'm some type of third world immigrant. Although it was certainly frustrating, the only thing I could do was highlight the skills I gained, the awards and notable recognition I received while employed there, and the greater list of responsibilities management gave me as time went on. Not all retail is bad; some are looked upon more favorable than others, especially if you're in a commission-based role, but on the whole it's not exactly the best profession.
Many professional postings state that the applicant must be able to work in a fast-paced, stressful environment. You can always describe to them how working retail has helped you in this regard. (Stressful, it certainly is!)
So I would definitely include it on your resume, and also use the top manager there as a professional reference.
Why would you want to work for a place that looks down their noses at that?
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