Can you relate to this?
For any individual who has even the smallest resistance to change, changing jobs can be an extremely dramatic event. Combine that with the fact that starting a new job is one of the most stressful things you can do, and Holy Freak Out!
Let me tell you a story. My story about choosing to leave the wonderful company I was working for and begin the search for a new job. It was a very difficult decision to make. I loved the company I was working for so much! LeMetier de Beaute is a super high-end cosmetics company that is carried almost exclusively in Neiman Marcus. So if I loved it so much, why and how would I make this decision? Let me share a little information with you.
The retail industry as we have all known it is changing drastically. There are people who feel that the change is just a cyclical thing, but I've been in the industry for over 40 years. It feels different to me this time.
As social media and the internet become a bigger and bigger part of our lives, many consumers are no longer interested in shopping by physically going into a huge, high-end retailer, as has been the case forever. This is partially because there is so much information available to everyone now. People can get product information on brands they've never even heard of before, from Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and You-Tube, just to name a few. SO much information! Information OVERLOAD!
And to top it all off, with companies offering free shipping and free returns when customers shop their websites, their brick and mortar stores are becoming less and less relevant. As employees, we are all expected to "make it work" so the large retailers can keep their doors open. We are basically in a position where we're told, "It is what it is. Go sell something."
My question is this: Is that the way retail should be operating? Is it the right thing for them to do? I vote no. I believe the online business of these retailers is cannibalizing their in-store business. All of this information is what made me question where I am expending my 40 years of retail energy.
The bottom line for me, was twofold: First, I don't trust Neiman's to maintain their own business. They are a financial mess. Secondly, LeMetier was still remaining exclusive to Neimans - who wasn't ordering their products. I was between two rocks and two hard places. Sobehat's a retail professional to do?
Decision made. Begin the hunt.
Yes it was scary. At LeMetier, I was paid very well. What if I couldn't find a company that would meet my salary requirements. What if my resume was CRAP??? What if I'm too old to be considered for a decent position? What if someone in my company finds out I'm looking for a job and they let me go before I find something else? SO many things to be afraid of! SO many things that make me unsure and keep me frozen in place! AND...what if I allow myself to be frozen in place and don't take action? What if I'm RIGHT and it really does all fall apart? What if I don't begin looking for my next opportunity and show up one day to find the doors to the store bolted shut?
Wow! THAT is a scary paragraph.
I could choose to focus on the scary and unsure things that were running through my mind over and over. That would lead me to rrnaining in place, doing nothing. When I think of remaining in place doing nothing, I felt pretty disappointed in myself. THAT is not a good feeling. And even if my decision would have been to stay in my current job, the reasons in that scary paragraph above are NOT good reasons to make choose to stay.
I recognized that I could choose to focus on more positive ideas, such as what I really have to offer. I chose to focus on all of the great things that I have to bring to the table of the company that chooses to hire me. I actually wrote down all of the great things about moi! Such as the many years of experience that I have. My outstanding work ethic. The diverse roles I've held during my career. The fact that outstanding customer service means everything to me.
Once I spent some time focused on my strengths, I felt a great deal more empowered to move forward and get myself started on the journey. I made the best resume I've ever had. I reached out to some of my mentors to ask if I could use them as references. And once I started pulling all of this information together, I found it easy to keep going. Some days it was baby steps and some days I made leaps and bounds.
In the end, I did find a company that I was excited about. I had two interviews and received a great offer that met all of my requirements. When I put my notice in at LeMetier, it was with a combination of happiness and sadness. I will always love LeMetier and I made sure I left on good terms with everyone.
I have always said, always do the right thing when you leave a company. You never know who your boss will be in the future!
When you consider changing jobs, how do you feel? I mean, how does it really feel in your stomach? In your heart? Yes, changing jobs is a challenging concept. But if you do it correctly, you'll get through it.
Focus on the positive. Focus on what you have to offer. I bet it's a great deal. And believe me, there is life after your last job!
With love,
Donna
And if you'd like to find out how we can work one-on-one together, please email me at Curateddonna@gmail.com
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