Monday, November 1, 2010
A Situation
An interesting situation has presented itself at work. One I'm not sure I'm ready for but certainly interested in from a monetary standpoint. One that I have most of the qualifications for as well. Our new manager has left the company, amid rumors of being let go for drinking on the job, for a second time. His area of responsibility is now open. It includes fragrances, cosmetics, juniors, woman's accessories, fashion and fine jewelry. It' a huge area, with more people to supervise than I have before and I'm not all that familiar with juniors or handbags. However, neither was he. He came from managing grocery stores. I have 22 years of retail selling experience. Ten years of jewelry store management and I have sold fragrances, ladies accessories, clothing and shoes and both fine and costume jewelry before. Also as a bonus, I'm already employed and have more training than he did when he started. The most people I've ever managed was about 20. These departments probably have around 30 including part timers and on call staff. (Which rarely seem to be scheduled enough to cover the areas). The cosmetic areas each have counter managers that handle most of the day to day stuff. Fragrance is pretty much self serve as they are no locked cases for any of it. I think my biggest challenge would be learning the department merchandise and all the back end stuff that managers are suppose to do. My concern is twofold: can I return to jewelry sales, either full time or part time if it doesn't work out? and the amount of hours in a day I may be required to work. I can't work a 12 hour day, only because of the 14 hours that would include the travel time, I would be away from my dog and my parents. I have no problem with working long stretches between days off. I'm currently on an 8 day stretch after finishing an 11 day stretch about 10 day ago. I just can't do long hours within a single day with no one to check on the dog or my parents with their health issues. I really do miss management and having a steady salary to count on. So dear readers, should I even bother to mention it to the store manager that I'm interested in the position or realize that my daily hour constraint would leave me out of the running anyway? Once again, your opinion would be appreciated.
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8 comments:
I feel for you, but I can't give you any good advice. I'm just wishing the best for you.
Go for it. Even if you don't get the position you've put them on notice that you are not only willing to take more responsibility but have the necessary experience to do the job. I would advise 2 things though, one check out the hours you will have to put in and if you think it's still a possibility make sure they know of your commitments to your parents so they can't complain after the fact when you need time off.
Ditto. Be up front, tell them clearly and plainly what you can and cannot do. Then go for it, buddy.
What's to lose? They will *always* need sales reps, so if it does't work out, drop back to where you are now.
Go for it. You never know till you try.
Go for it, Dave! Just to let them know you're interested. And you can always ask about the amount of time involved.
First of all I would say pray over it. Do what you think is right. Talk to them about it as well. Then make up your own mind. I do have faith inyou and I know you can do whatever your mind make up to do.
HUGS
Ray
I would agree with the others. At least talk to the person responsible for hiring the position, perhaps casually, indicating that you are interested but that you have some questions and concerns about the position. Make sure that early in the process you clarify those questions and concerns at a point that you can bow out gracefully if you discover that it is not going to be good for you and before they've invested a lot of time in you in the new position. I do not think that there would be any "penalty" for inquiring if you are upfront.
Whatever your decision, good luck always!
Haven't you watched any contemporary movie during the last 15 years? Every time the lead character takes that big job, often the dream job, that takes total committment, they face crushing challenges in balancing their personal life with their work life. When you take a job that expects you to work 60 or more hours per week - for the big, big salary, then you can't expect to be given time off to walk your dog or take care of your parents. In the movies, it is always the family that becomes alienated or the love interest that suffers. By the time the final credits roll everyone realizes that the job has to go and the family/spouse/lover is more important. The hero rides off into the sunset seeking a simpler life. Now on the other hand, it is incredibly flattering that after a short time on the job you have progressed from part time, to full time, and now contemplating a managerial position. I wish you well if you decide to apply for the big job. Just remember the lessons we learn from the movies!
Brother Bear
I join the 'yes' group; it never hurts to ask, you can change your mind later.
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