Working at Walmart can get you a job in retail

Everyone has heard the saying “you are who you hang around” well, that also goes for the career choices you make. If you’ve spent the past 5 years of your life working at Wal-Mart you are highly likely to continue working in retail. With that being said, if you’ve been working 5 years in retail you are also less likely to get a job in another industry. We recruiters just happen to be looking for people with experience in the industry we’re hiring for, so if you apply for a job as a sales executive and you’ve been working as a computer programmer for all of your work history don’t count on getting a call back.

I know it sounds harsh, but I see it every day. I open my in-box and see 40 emails for the job I posted the night before. I open the emails and only 5 of the responses are from people who actually fit the description of what we’re looking for. The rest of the applicants are just hoping that they’ll be given a chance. The problem is, that in many job markets (including Michigan where I am) there are so many qualified candidates who fit the job description or excel past the minimum requirements that there is no reason to consider candidates who don’t fit the description perfectly.

If you are in a market like Michigan it is difficult to make a career change because the competition is steep and the jobs are scarce. If you are in this situation where you are interested in a career change, but lack the background to get in the field you desire you have two choices:

1. Move to a better market:

This one is pretty self explanatory. If you have the resources to move and you are in the position to do so then moving to a better market will make your chances so much better. After you move, still take the advice that is given below in the second option, but know that it will be easier for you now than it would have been if you’d stayed in such a slow job market.

2. Start from the ground floor again

I know it’s tough to start all over when you’ve already gone so far, but getting into this new field might mean taking a few steps backwards in pay and prestige in order to get your foot in the door in this new industry. In order to make this type of move you’ll need to be prepared with extra money so that if you do need to take a pay cut to achieve your goals you don’t have to go hungry while you work your way up. Starting from the ground has different meanings depending on how different the industry you’re in is from the industry you desire.

To get started on this path, take a look at your resume. Is there anything that you have accomplished in your work history that is related to the field that you are interested in? If there are things on your resume that relate to this industry you can use that to your advantage. Adjust the wording of your resume to focus on those key parts of your work history that relate to the career you’re interested in. Remove anything that is completely unrelated or irrelevant to this career. If you aren’t the smartest cookie when it comes to resumes you should definitely try using a resume service. The cost of a professionally written resume and cover letter is so small in comparison to what you’ll gain from it. If your resume and cover letter are tailored to catch the attention of a specific industry you will be more likely to receive a call back.

Next, you’ll need to find a way in. Your current work history will strongly affect your choices when it comes to getting your foot in the door in this new industry. If you’re industry is very different from the industry you desire you need to be prepared to do internships (possibly unpaid) and very entry level positions. If your industry is not very different you will have a slightly easier time finding an entry level position. The key is to apply for positions that you qualify for. Do not apply to a position that asks for 3-5 years of experience when you are entry level. It is a waste of everyone’s time. Apply for only positions that you qualify for.

Here is an example to help you:

Sharon is a former talk radio host and she is interested in getting into recruiting. All of the listings that she finds in the paper ask for applicants with 3-5 years experience in recruiting. Sharon has never recruited before, therefore she does not qualify.

While researching jobs on careerbuilder.com she finds an ad for a front desk receptionist at a local staffing agency. After researching this company she finds that this is a company with many branches and a long history of success in the industry. There are definite advancement opportunities here. She then proceeds to tailor her resume to fit the position she desires. The ad calls for people with great communications skills, and the ability to multi-task, and answer multi-line phones. In her resume Sharon focuses her resume to showcase her great communication skills. She also must answer phones on the show when callers want to say comments and she is a great multi-tasker because she runs the board (the machine that controls the radio broadcast sound) while doing the show and keeping up with commercial breaks and show segments at the same time. Because of the way she adjusted her resume to fit the position she may get a call back. She can relay the same information to the employers in an interview (especially showcasing her communication skills) and hopefully land this position that offers a chance to move up in the future. While working she will gain knowledge of the business, showcase her knowledge to her employers, and win her way to the top.

Use Sharon’s example to show you how you can make the career change that you desire. Make sure that you are truly ready before you make that leap. Do some soul searching and find out if you’re headed in the right direction. You’re never going to make it to the top if you don’t have the drive and passion to reach your goals. If this isn’t the right industry for you, you will not be happy and will not move up, so make sure you are making the best decision for yourself. Also trust yourself. If you have done your soul searching and you’re passionate and work smart you will do wonderfully. Just remember that it takes time to build a career from the ground up and do your best not to get discouraged in the beginning.

Get promoted in 10 minutes

Getting to work in the morning can be one of the most stressful events of the day. In just a short amount of time we must attempt to get ready, eat something, drive to work, and get started on daily tasks. If you’re like me, you push the snooze button 5 times before you force yourself to wake up and by the time you wake up, you’re running late already. This endless cycle of running late in the morning wears on us and makes getting to work in the morning one of the worst parts of the day.

What we need to do to fix this problem is just a little bit of discipline. All you need to do to get a better start on your day is to set your alarm 10 minutes earlier than normal and wake up as soon as it rings without pushing the snooze. The best way to accomplish this is to put the alarm away from arms reach. If you have to get up to push the button it will be easier to get up and stay up. It takes some discipline to get into this routine, but it is completely worth it.

Just think of what you can accomplish with that extra 10 minutes if you use it wisely. Having more time to eat will give you more energy. Having time to take a longer shower can make you feel more alive and happy in the morning. How about beating traffic by a few minutes and getting to work early! Trust me, if 8am comes and you’re already hard at work instead of just sitting down you will be that much more successful. You will also look better to your boss if you come into work seeming brighter, more cheerful, and prepared.

Some people think that getting a promotion is a difficult task that takes a lot of butt kissing. It’s not true. All you need is a little discipline.