Tired or getting bored with your career in the retail or restaurant field? Do you want to explore other professions? Well, it's becoming increasingly common for professionals to have jobs in more than one field throughout their careers. Due to a variety of circumstances and industry trends, you may find yourself ready to make a career change from retail/restaurant to another field.
People who work from retail or restaurant industries often share similar skills and further develop a variety of skills to perform their duties. They can apply these skills in alternative careers which includes:
- Customer Service
- Leadership
- Computer Literacy
- Multi-tasking
- Time Management
- Purchasing
- Team Work
- Organization
- Problem Solving
Alternative Careers for Retail or Restaurant Professionals:
- Customer Service Representative: Customer service representatives are the face of a company and are responsible for providing support to customers via phone, email, and other platforms. They must possess strong communication skills, be highly organized, and be knowledgeable about the company’s products and services. For those with retail or restaurant experience, customer service roles are ideal as they’re able to draw on their experience interacting with customers to excel in this role.
- Administrative Assistant: Administrative assistants are responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to a company. They must have strong organizational and communication skills, be adept at multitasking, and have the ability to manage multiple tasks at once. Those with retail or restaurant experience will have the customer service experience to excel in this role.
- Human Resources Coordinator: A human resources (HR) coordinator is an entry-level position responsible for various staff administration tasks. These tasks include recruiting, interviewing, hiring, developing and managing employees. Retail or restaurant team leaders have experience in these areas, and their current store may already have an HR department that they can transition into.
- Data Entry Clerk: Data entry clerks are responsible for entering and maintaining data into a company’s database. They must have excellent attention to detail, excellent typing skills, and the ability to work quickly and accurately. For those with retail or restaurant experience, data entry positions are a great option as they can apply their fast-paced environment experience to this role.
- Insurance Agent: An insurance agent explains various types of insurance and coverage to customers, provides policy recommendations and sells insurance plans. They also evaluate current insurance policies and recommend coverage modifications as needed. An insurance agent must develop rapport and positive relationships with potential customers, so the strong interpersonal skills that retail/restaurant people often develop would be useful.
- Marketing Coordinator: Marketing coordinators are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They must have excellent writing and communication skills, be highly organized, and have the ability to think strategically. Those with retail or restaurant experience will be able to draw on their experience managing customer relationships to excel in this role.
- Accounting Clerk: Accounting clerks are responsible for performing various accounting tasks, such as reconciling bank accounts and preparing financial statements. They must have strong organizational and communication skills, be proficient with numbers, and be familiar with accounting principles. For those with retail or restaurant experience, accounting positions are a great fit as they’re able to draw on their experience managing money and working with customers to excel in this role.
These are just a few of the office jobs that those with retail or restaurant experience can apply for. With the digital world evolving, there are plenty of other opportunities out there to explore. If you have retail or restaurant experience, take the time to research other office job opportunities and see which one could be the
Tips on Shifting your Career to Office-Based Roles
If you’re looking to make the move from working in a retail or restaurant job to an office job, as being said, you’re not alone. Many people make the transition every year. It can be a bit intimidating, as the skill sets and work environments may have quite differences, but it can be done with some preparation and hard work. Here are a few tips to help you move from retail or restaurant to office life.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Before you start applying for office jobs, it’s important to make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile reflect the skills and experience that will help you land an office job. Make sure to highlight any transferable skills you gained working in retail or restaurant, such as customer service, problem-solving, and time management. If you don't know where to start with your resume, we have a free resume builder - head to earnbetter.com to try it out!
- Network. Connect with people in the industry you’re interested in and let them know you’re looking to make the switch. Ask them for advice or if they know of any openings. You never know who might have the perfect opportunity for you.
- Take a course. Consider taking a course or workshop in the industry you’re interested in. This will show potential employers that you’re serious about making the switch and ready to learn the skills necessary to be successful.
- Look for entry-level opportunities. Even if you’re a veteran of the retail or restaurant industry, it’s important to start your office job search with entry-level positions. This will give you the chance to get your foot in the door and gain experience in the office environment.
- Get comfortable with technology. Though you work on a Point-of-Sale system (POS) or inventory management system, many office jobs require the use of technology, so it’s important to get comfortable using computers and other software programs. Take the time to learn the basics of word processing, spreadsheet programs, email, and other applications.
Making the transition from retail or restaurant to an office job can be a daunting task, but with some preparation and hard work, you can make it happen. Focus on updating your resume, networking, and taking courses to gain the skills necessary to be successful in an office job. Good luck!
