From Retail to Operations: How One Career Shift Led to a $20K Salary Increase ?? Like many retail managers, Jake (name changed for privacy) was burnt out from long hours, weekend shifts, and unpredictable schedules. He loved problem-solving, managing teams, and streamlining processes—but he wanted better pay, stability, and a clear career path. In less than 6 months, he transitioned into an Operations Coordinator role, landing a $20K salary increase and finally getting his weekends back. Here’s how he did it: ?? Step 1: Identifying Transferable Skills Instead of focusing on retail-specific tasks, Jake highlighted skills that operations teams value, like: ? Process improvement – Streamlining workflows, reducing inefficiencies ? Team leadership – Managing and training employees ? Inventory & logistics – Tracking stock, forecasting needs ? Problem-solving – Handling high-pressure situations and customer escalations ?? Step 2: Rewriting His Resume & LinkedIn Jake removed retail jargon and reframed his experience to align with operations roles. ?? Example Shift: ? “Managed a team of 15 employees in a fast-paced retail environment.” ? “Led a 15-person team, improving efficiency and reducing turnover through strategic scheduling and training.” ?? Step 3: Networking & Targeted Job Applications Instead of applying to random jobs, Jake connected with operations professionals on LinkedIn, scheduled informational interviews, and focused on companies that valued leadership and process improvement. Within weeks, he landed interviews—and an offer that boosted his salary by $20K ?? Thinking about leaving retail but not sure where to start? You might be closer to a corporate role than you think. DM us or drop a comment—let’s talk about your next step! ?? #CareerChange #RetailToCorporate #OperationsJobs #TransferableSkills #JobSearch
