7 Alternative Careers for Retail Managers

What Is An Alternative Career For A Retail Manager?

To help you identify the best alternative careers for a retail manager, we asked career coaches and recruiters this question for their best recommendations. From Customer Service Representative to Personal Banker to Insurance Agent, there are several careers that are recommended as the most suitable options for retail managers.

Here Are Seven Alternative Careers For Retail Managers:

• Customer Service Representative
• Sales Rep
• Freelance Contractor in The Wellness Industry
• Administrative Assistant
• Personal Banker
• Project Manager
• Insurance Agent

Customer Service Representative

Customer service is a fantastic crossover career for a former retail manager. Retail managers are constantly ensuring that their customers are happy and educated about the store’s products. Retail managers typically thrive as customer service representatives because they understand various personalities.

Should retail managers feel like they need a career change, becoming a customer service representative is a great alternative.

Jorge Vivar, Mode

Sales Rep

If you have made a nice career out of retail, there is no reason to think you can’t make a nice career out of being a sales rep. In fact, it might be an even better option. There is certainly a greater earnings potential.

You have already shown that you can sell store items, so transitioning to selling goods and products outside a store setting won’t be too difficult. Some industries will require a bachelor’s degree, but not all of them. There is plenty out there to sell – including insurance, industrial equipment, office supplies, and more.

Trevor Ford, Yotta

Freelance Contractor in The Wellness Industry

If you are a retail manager who is looking for an alternative career, there are a variety of options available to you. One of the most popular alternatives is to become a freelancer. Freelancers work in a variety of industries and can be independent contractors or employees.

Other popular alternative careers for retail managers include becoming a stay-at-home parent, working in the health or wellness industry, or becoming an entrepreneur and starting your own business.

Ammad Asif, Stream Digitally

Administrative Assistant

An administrative assistant’s job covers various duties including answering phones, greeting visitors, and supporting other staff. It also involves office and document management. Thanks to experience with similar business functions, retail managers are likely to excel at preparing reports, scheduling appointments, and organizing company events.

A retail manager’s skill set is quite universal and as it applies to different careers. Outstanding interpersonal skills, effective communication, and attention to detail are precious and very much welcomed also in an administrative assistant’s job. Decent earnings ($41,080–$66,870 a year), varied tasks, and a holiday schedule make just some positives of the administrative assistant’s career path. Give it a go.

Agata Szczepanek, MyPerfectResume

Personal Banker

A personal banker works in a retail banking branch assisting customers with various banking and financial needs i.e. opening checking or saving accounts and preparing retirement planning. A retail manager's advanced problem-solving skills, organization skills, and computer literacy are critical for a personal banker.

Gisera Matanda, WeLoans

Project Manager

Since a retail manager oversees the operations of a store, they can take up project management and be in charge of company tasks. The experience of managing people and meeting customer demands can help organize staff for project execution. They can allocate resources, set deadlines for specific projects, and ensure they stay within the budget.

Ivy Bosibori, USBadCreditLoans

Insurance Agent

Retail managers develop crucial relationship-building skills that enable them to excel as insurance agents. Their knowledge of process cycles can help them in their pitches to potential clients and sell insurance with their negotiation skills. Additionally, many retail managers develop proficient computer skills and can easily transition to digital insurance sales without challenges.

Mehtab Ahmed, LoansJury