Why Working in the Retail/Service Industry is SO Valuable

Iโ€™ve said it before & i'll say it again: the skills you gain while working in the service/retail industries are REAL skills ๐Ÿ‘


If youโ€™ve spent any significant amount of time in a service/retail job ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ‘šโ€”youโ€™ve learned how to deal with people and work with a team, and that is a serious skill that can be translated into ANY industry.

People always ask:

๐Ÿ™‹ โ€œErin, what should I include on my resume.โ€


My answer?

๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿผโ€๐Ÿ’ป โ€œAnything relevant and nothing more!โ€

Sure, donโ€™t include this if you already have ENOUGH other relevant experience. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ


But people are quick to think their service industry/fast food/target cashier/etc. jobs are irrelevant just because they donโ€™t exactly align with a corporate jobโ€”but thatโ€™s not necessarily the case!


All you need is a little sparkle โœจ & ๐Ÿ”Ž perspective.

โŒ did you โ€œwait on tablesโ€?

โœ… No! You โ€œSuccessfully managed an average of 35+ tables per shift consistently achieving high degrees of customer satisfaction.โ€

Here are more valuable skills to consider:

1. Effective Communication ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ:

Service and retail jobs require constant interaction with customers and colleagues, meaning youโ€™re fostering excellent communication skills. Skills like active listening, empathy, and the ability to convey information clearly and diplomatically.

2. Customer Service Excellence ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป:

Dealing with a wide range of customers teaches patience, problem-solving, and conflict resolution, something you probably know all too well. You've learned how to address customer concerns effectively, turning negative experiences into positive ones, an incredibly useful skill in the corporate world.

3. Time Management โฐ:

Service and retail workers often juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, from serving customers to restocking shelves. Not only does this require strong time-management skills but also the ability to prioritize tasks efficiently.

4. Adaptability ๐ŸŒฑ:

Retail environments are dynamic, with customer preferences and demands constantly changing. Youโ€™ve probably become adaptable and quick-thinking, learning to thrive in fast-paced situations.

5. Empathy and Understanding ๐Ÿ’œ:

Interacting with diverse customers exposes you to various backgrounds and perspectives. This helps cultivate empathy and a better understanding of different cultures and lifestyles.

6. Problem Solving ๐Ÿงฎ:

Every day brings new challenges, from resolving customer complaints to handling inventory issues. This kind of work makes you a resourceful problem solver, able to think on your feet.

7. Sales and Persuasion ๐Ÿ›๏ธ:

Retail workers often engage in upselling and cross-selling. So whether you realize it or not, youโ€™ve honed in on your persuasion and salesmanship skills, which are valuable in various career paths.

8. Teamwork โœ‹๐Ÿผ:

Service and retail roles emphasize collaboration, meaning youโ€™ve learned to work effectively with diverse teams to achieve common goals.

9. Conflict Resolution ๐Ÿ’ฅ:

Handling customer complaints and disagreements among colleagues teaches you to mediate conflicts and find amicable solutions.

10. Attention to Detail ๐Ÿ–Š๏ธ:

Precise attention to detail is vital in roles like visual merchandising and cash handling, ensuring accuracy in tasks and transactions.

11. Leadership Skills ๐Ÿ“ข:

Many retail workers have opportunities to take on leadership roles or supervise teams. This nurtures leadership qualities and the ability to motivate others.

12. Financial Literacy ๐Ÿ’ธ:

Managing cash registers, processing transactions, and handling store finances enhances your financial literacy and responsibility.

13. Multitasking ๐Ÿ:

Service and retail workers become adept at multitasking, balancing diverse responsibilities without compromising quality.

14. Resilience ๐ŸŒŸ:

Coping with high-stress situations and demanding customers fosters emotional resilience and the ability to remain composed under pressure.


15. Networking ๐Ÿซฑ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿซฒ๐Ÿผ:

Building relationships with customers, colleagues, and industry professionals can lead to valuable networking opportunities.

Seeeeeeeeโ€ฆyou worked hard ๐Ÿ˜ฎโ€๐Ÿ’จ donโ€™t downplay it.

You got this!! ๐Ÿ‘

If you need help looking for a new job, I invite you to join my Career Workshop Intensive, a 4-part program designed to help you get a job you love ASAP. ๐ŸŒˆ

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