2 Questions: Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
1) How loyal can I be to a company in this day and age?
I work at a major retail chain, its huge; they've even done harvard case studies on it, so chances are most of you are familiar with the brand. MANY employees have been there for 10+ years, it has a huge reputation for being loyal to partners. I have been working there for 3 months and on 2nd month I was nominated employee of the month at a super sized location. Management had been talking to me about their leadership programs and going into management since I already have a Bachelors degree. My boss called my friend who referred me for the job and asked him about me, long term goals, etc and mentioned that management singled me out for advancement withing the company. Obviously they dont want to invest in me just to see me up and leave after 1 or 2 years, understandable.
I have no problem staying loyal to the company, especially since it's one of the few companies that value it's employees as partners and they gave me a shot at a job when few other companies wanted to. I am surrounded by a great team and great people and I am constantly told that it is a big company and there are LOTS of opportunities to work in different areas in the business and opportunities for advancement. But I want to move out of my city - that is non-negotiable. I am concerned that they SAY there are lots of oportunities to move around and get promoted but that it's not true and just a lie to get me to commit to the company. I have no problem staying in my city for 2 years and saving up $$ for my move. But moving away from this godforsaken town is a big part of my life goals. And my concern is that after I complete management training I will be tied down to a specific town and location. I dont want to come from a limited mentality as I am certain I will be able to distinguish myslef as “indespensible” within 1 or 2 year time frame. Seperating myself from the average worker is not hard in this industry (from what I hear it's not hard in most industries). At the same time I am worried that 100% transperancy would hurt me and that it may be better to rise to the top first and then say “I am moving to such and such city, we have many locations up there and I want to stay with the company.” What are your thoughts?
2) Are management skills transferrable between industries? i.e. make a shift from Retail management to management in Tech industry or service or healthcare? I am open to getting getting a Project Manager Professional Certification which is pretty easy to get these days and supposedly highly regarded.
Glass door also mentions that the company I work for has gradually been shifting away from the things that made it a great company by hiring from outside the company, not promoting from wtihin and that in many locations, after a certain level it becomes a “good old boys network” and to get promoted past middle or lower management involves “who you know” and a lot of brown nosing. I have never worked for a bad boss, i.e. sociopath, but I am well aware that they do exist. If I am stuck in a shitty work situation clearly I have no problems leaving the company if I am unable to work things out or transfer to another location. Management isnt perfect everywhere, some places have horrible management, I work for a big company. And right now I am lucky to be at a location where ALL management is TOP Notch!
Once again, I dont want to come from a limited mentality, I think winning over a shitty boss is doable for smart people who understand office politics and dont have sensitive egos. And even if top management are overall shitty leaders, I can still work to make life for people below me as enjoyable as possible; you dont have to have the highest job title to run the business. My concern would be reaching a point where I have no room for growth, a dead end job where I take on increasingly longer hours for a shitty raise every year, no work/life balance, and no outlook for promotions. If I have management training and experience in retail, can I get a management job in another industry or am I tied down to management jobs in retail? I am considering getting a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification as a backup plan in case things dont work out down the road.
1) How loyal can I be to a company in this day and age?
I work at a major retail chain, its huge; they've even done harvard case studies on it, so chances are most of you are familiar with the brand. MANY employees have been there for 10+ years, it has a huge reputation for being loyal to partners. I have been working there for 3 months and on 2nd month I was nominated employee of the month at a super sized location. Management had been talking to me about their leadership programs and going into management since I already have a Bachelors degree. My boss called my friend who referred me for the job and asked him about me, long term goals, etc and mentioned that management singled me out for advancement withing the company. Obviously they dont want to invest in me just to see me up and leave after 1 or 2 years, understandable.
I have no problem staying loyal to the company, especially since it's one of the few companies that value it's employees as partners and they gave me a shot at a job when few other companies wanted to. I am surrounded by a great team and great people and I am constantly told that it is a big company and there are LOTS of opportunities to work in different areas in the business and opportunities for advancement. But I want to move out of my city - that is non-negotiable. I am concerned that they SAY there are lots of oportunities to move around and get promoted but that it's not true and just a lie to get me to commit to the company. I have no problem staying in my city for 2 years and saving up $$ for my move. But moving away from this godforsaken town is a big part of my life goals. And my concern is that after I complete management training I will be tied down to a specific town and location. I dont want to come from a limited mentality as I am certain I will be able to distinguish myslef as “indespensible” within 1 or 2 year time frame. Seperating myself from the average worker is not hard in this industry (from what I hear it's not hard in most industries). At the same time I am worried that 100% transperancy would hurt me and that it may be better to rise to the top first and then say “I am moving to such and such city, we have many locations up there and I want to stay with the company.” What are your thoughts?
2) Are management skills transferrable between industries? i.e. make a shift from Retail management to management in Tech industry or service or healthcare? I am open to getting getting a Project Manager Professional Certification which is pretty easy to get these days and supposedly highly regarded.
Glass door also mentions that the company I work for has gradually been shifting away from the things that made it a great company by hiring from outside the company, not promoting from wtihin and that in many locations, after a certain level it becomes a “good old boys network” and to get promoted past middle or lower management involves “who you know” and a lot of brown nosing. I have never worked for a bad boss, i.e. sociopath, but I am well aware that they do exist. If I am stuck in a shitty work situation clearly I have no problems leaving the company if I am unable to work things out or transfer to another location. Management isnt perfect everywhere, some places have horrible management, I work for a big company. And right now I am lucky to be at a location where ALL management is TOP Notch!
Once again, I dont want to come from a limited mentality, I think winning over a shitty boss is doable for smart people who understand office politics and dont have sensitive egos. And even if top management are overall shitty leaders, I can still work to make life for people below me as enjoyable as possible; you dont have to have the highest job title to run the business. My concern would be reaching a point where I have no room for growth, a dead end job where I take on increasingly longer hours for a shitty raise every year, no work/life balance, and no outlook for promotions. If I have management training and experience in retail, can I get a management job in another industry or am I tied down to management jobs in retail? I am considering getting a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification as a backup plan in case things dont work out down the road.
