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New Job?

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Ladies,

I posted some months back about some cut backs in our organisation, expected redundancies, and my growing dissatisfaction at work... well our department has been spared redundancy but I am still not excited about my work (or the my employer to be honest).

Anyway, I was offered a job on the weekend! A lovely woman I know is opening a new shoe boutique in the town I live (her flagship store, so to speak, is about 1.5 hours away) and would like me to be her 'right hand woman' as she will divide her time between both stores and a third venture.

The hours would be the same as I do now, with the opportunity for extra hours from time to time (filling in, holidays etc). Her original shop is very successful, and she sells beautiful quality but still reasonably priced footwear. She is very proactive, holding new season fashion parades and events.

The biggest question for me is really the salary, which we are discussing, but I am expecting a sales wage to be significantly lower than my current wage:( And this is a deal breaker for me unfortunately. The other thing I am working through is that this would be a significant change for me, professionally, I have worked in the community sector for the last 20 years, managing and implementing community programs and running community events. I realise as I think through all of this, I probably do derive a sense of who I am by what I do and this is niggling at me. Wrongly so, I have never viewed sales as a proper career - as I say I KNOW this is wrong - but when I was finishing school, the girls who went into sales jobs were often the ones who didn't want to study and didn't have much of a long term career plan. I do have friends in the industry though, who are absolute professionals and I know there is a lot more to sales than just ringing a sale up on the til!

Anyway, long post short, if anyone like Rae or others who have made such a change have any advice, I would love to hear it.

And your prayers, thoughts, etc would be most appreciated as I work my way throught to making a decision on this.

Thanks
Deborah

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23 replies

Latest reply was from

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I can't speak for myself, but my BF goes through this. Right now he is a host at the Pub we both have worked at in the past. That means just a dollar over minimum wage and paltry tips from the servers ($20 a night maybe). By contrast his 'real' job is a 6 figure salary. Yes, there is a HUGE disparity there (and hence our constant moving to FL and back). For the most part I think he does well with not tying his identity to his real job and salary but sometimes I can tell as a man he feels like his job does help define him.
We are struggling with this issue right now. I tend to think doing what makes you happiest is best, he's more financially prudent and says I may have rose colored glasses on

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Our identities are strange things. I worked for the ABC & when I told people what I did they were really interested to know me. I've also worked in retail (& loved it - met some wonderful women too) but people didn't have the same reaction to me when they asked what I did.

My mother & some other family members didn't understand why I wasn't using my (university) education. It really did make me feel bad about myself until I realised I was the same person but I was doing something I really enjoyed. Long way of saying - I think I get it

All I can say is how do you feel when you think about letting the new job go? If you feel very disappointed then maybe that's your answer.

Sending you thoughts of clarity & wisdom.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

But you are not happy in your current job, right? Does it mean that you are not happy in this community sector at all or just with this particular employer?Salary aside does the prospect of doing this new job feels you with excitement or with dread?
Also "right hand woman" does not sounds just like the sales. It can include some management and business experience as well which are transferable skills.
In any case I will be thinking of you so you may make the right decision

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

Deborah, I wish I had an answer for you, but I find myself struggling with the same issue. I always thought that my identity was completely independent of what I did, but when I found myself first unemployed, and then working a part-time job well outside my field, I realized how much of my self-worth was tied to my job.

Ideally, we would all be making enough money doing what we love, but in reality, it rarely works out that way. Could you afford to take a pay cut, provided that you got more satisfaction out of the new job? Could you see this new job as a stepping stone to a career in business or sales? If yes, then I think it could be easier to take a cut right now, knowing that it will pay off later. And the new job does sound like a lot more than just being a "shop girl."

I hope whatever decision you make brings you a peace of mind. I'm wishing you strength and clarity.

Adelfa

Veteran

I don't have any advice, but I do have prayers, and they are yours!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Some things to throw in (I'm not even touching the issue of salary and sense of worth in relation to one's job):

- Certain opportunities happen or don't happen. You want to make sure you made the best of them - sometimes it means saying Yes, but sometimes it means No. It's the decision process behind that will matter in the long run.

- When unhappy/dissatisfied with existing circumstances, we tend to project our expectations, dreams or wishes on the opportunity that presents itself. It's the new, the unknown. It's easy to paint it the way we want to. But, the novelty will wear off at some point anyway.

- What are your options if this does not work out? Something tells me that if you are not too happy at your current job, if there were other options you'd go for them already.

- Would your time be your own? Right-hand, holiday filling in? Right now you probably know when you'll be off, you have (or don't) your weekends or public holidays. How would it be in the new set-up?

- In the face of the (big) change, it is easy to stay in the familiar circumstances, however unexciting or uninspiring they may be. I believe in change, you learn a lot from it.

- In principle, what will help you grow most (as a person, professional, both)?

Lyn D.

Veteran

If this was a clothing store I would be very encouraging indeed, Deborah.
You know I volunteer at the Salvos, and find it the most fun and rewarding thing I have done in years!
You have amazing empathy and people skills, and still can see you as a successful personal stylist, with your unique style, diplomacy and perception.
The $ are the least important aspect of your decision unless you truly need to earn the same amount to survive.
Have you thought of combining a retail position with starting your own styling business?
You will always be involved with the community through your Hubby's vocation too.

amiable

Veteran

I'm praying for you - I can see this being an amazing fit for you - but I also understand needing the higher salary. ((hugs))

Anonymous

Such tough decisions Deborah. Would you be earning any commissions at all at the new job? That could make a huge difference in your actual take-home pay. No advice from me, but I'll keep you in my prayers!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

What Ornella said. But also, a small retail store can be pretty slow paced as far as the day to day goes. I worked in a small shoe boutique when I was young. I remember feeling kind of bored between customers. And I grew tired of looking at shoes. This type of job would be more "confining" I think than your current position. Would you be happy with that? Prayers to you to find the right answer.

Kristin L

Veteran

I don't have any advice, but I am sending you big hugs and prayers!

Eliza

Veteran

I agree that the chance to think this opportunity through will provide you with worthwhile information about your goals and priorities. Having an income that works matters, yet what we are most fulfilled pursuing can change. Since part of what you are struggling with is other's perceptions of the position, it is doubly important to single out your mission with any job change.

Do you know how well the original store is doing and how the local market may compare to it? Are you comfortable with weekend or evening hours? Would you be supervising other employees? What is it about this job that appeals most to you? Is this the best way to pursue that? The relationship with the owner seems to be a crucial piece here.

How would your skill sets translate in this environment? I have a human services background and often thought that a component of it involved sales of another way to do things or the chance to address a problem area.

No answers, but I am a big believer in asking oneself questions.

You have so many skills and talents; sometimes it makes it harder to know what direction to head towards. Sending good thoughts your way.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, I have my two jobs. My "educated" job as a technical writer and my "salt-of-the-earth" job as a baker and floor lead in a small production bakery (with shops).

And... I think working a shop is very very hard and very scary. It's one thing to be the teenager who sits at the counter and desultorily rings up purchases; quite another to actually keep product moving. You are on the front lines of life, and it's almost as gritty as trying to grow all your own food.

To be very very honest, I don't think working in the community sector will have prepared you for it, nor working in a very large organisation (with a few by-department exceptions), and definitely not doing anything scientific and/or academic. Really, most specialised things that took a fair amount of education. In a shop, if you don't move product, your children don't eat and your co-workers' children don't eat. No one will feed you for just being alive like in other endeavours.

If it excites you to be on the outer edge of the penguin ring, protecting the others on the inside from arctic winter, you should go for it or something like. But if it doesn't, I don't know. I say why suffer?

Hil

(website)

Veteran

Wow Deborah - what a big (possible) change?

I totally understand how the value of what you do defines you. I feel like that, as a doula. I also get that a title, rightly or wrongly, affects our perceptions. Heck - you know in the office where I work - where it is just the three of us - I moved to the front office to escape the smoking bosses and I worry that people see me here and simply assume that I am just the receptionist. I also know that retail is hard, hard work. I briefly worked as an assistant manager and decorator at an upmarket furniture and décor store and it was dreadful despite how fabulous the job sounds initially. But I put that experience down to the people I was working with and for there and not the whole industry or the job itself.

It sounds like it could be an exciting opportunity for you, but at the same time one which could send your life in a completely different direction. Wishing you clarity as you go forward hun! x

Deborah

Veteran

I am sorry it took a bit to get back here. I am so grateful for your collective wisdom:)

You have all touched on issues that have been really significant to my thought process here and you have truly helped me to get clarity. And your prayers have been a real blessing.

So I realise this isn't 'my' job. The truth is it interests me but it doesn't excite me. I am not sure I am completely ready to leave the community sector. I started a style consulting business earlier this year, along with a blog,and that is certainly providing some fulfilment that my 'regular' job does not. Yesterday, I was invited to meet the designers for Aussie brand Brown Sugar. We had an amazing time talking about the brand, talking fashion in general, etc and I came away knowing that I don't want to work in shoe shop on the edge of town, on my own. I need to be with people, I love working with a team and I want to be involved in fashion as a whole, shoes alone just don't cut it for me.

Despite the fact that my current job is not that satisfying, I don't want to leave unless I really feel it is the right move.

Thank you for being my sounding board and I really appreciate your support. I know I just need to be patient and when the time and the opportunity is right I will know.

xxx

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Big hug.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Just curious; what does your 'style consulting' business involve Deborah?

Deborah

Veteran

Lyn, I will PM you when I get home from work

Jeanie

Veteran

Seems like you made a good choice. I really lost my identity when I left my corporate job to take care of a family member and I still struggle with this. I miss the team environment and even though I love fashion I can't see working in a boutique for the reasons the others have mentioned. It sounds like you like collaboration and making things happen. Those are the things you get in a corporate job that may be missing in a quieter store environment. And money is hard to go w/o when you are used to it and can add to financial security. Fashion consulting sounds like a great adventure!!.. and is very collaborative. I am new here but it seems you are very smart about fashion. Best of luck!

Deborah

Veteran

Thanks Jeanie and welcome! I would have Pm'd you but I think it'a a week or so before we do that when we join us. I really appreciate your sharing your experience and what you say is great wisdom. Now I just have to tell my friend 'no'

Anonymous

I wish you all the best Deb, in finding your way. I think you are doing the right thing not going in with your friend. Perhaps your style consulting will take off, you never know. You certainly have the talent.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Deborah, I wish you luck! I love Ornella's points for thought. I really related to when you said it "interests you but doesn't excite you" -- this is EXACTLY what I went through when I started to detour from photography into studying and then working in interior design and architecture a few years ago. Although I was not smart enough to articulate it that way. However, I'm really glad I paid attention to and pursued that interest so the degree I did, because it is now very helpful to me as I work with architects, designers and art consultants to place my art in spaces.

It sounds like the universe is giving you some signals, and you are listening! Keep following your dreams and your instincts. I predict things are going to get really exciting for you.

Anonymous

Thanks for updating us Deborah! I can relate to the same phrase that resonated with Janet. This lady saw your wonderful style and your fabulous work ethic and thought, "I have to have her". She could never afford what you are really worth Deborah. Hang tough until just the right thing comes along. Like you said, you'll know it when you see it. Good luck with your style consulting business too! That sounds exciting, and maybe that will eventually pay you what you need to quit your full time job.