I know how that feels on changing careers. Let me say I do remember the part I got into retail. See I was a care giver as well. I love the job but I needed to be in a study place where I can take the bus. My husband and I had to go down to one vehicle. It was easier for me to switch than him. So he got to keep the job and use the car. I went looking for jobs in the area. I went into this store called Fallas. It said it was hiring as usual. So I submitted my application a long with a resume. I went almost everyday to try to meet with the hiring manager. He was always busy or not there. I did not let that stop me. I kept trying. I actually was able to corner him at the registrar. I informed him that I had submitted an application and resume. He did not receive it. He asked if I was sure. I told him. Yes. You can't miss it. The resume is in a folder. He said no. So I went back the next day. With a new resume and the application filled out. He took a look at it. He said you do not have experience. I said no. He said I am looking for experience. I asked him. How am I suppose to get some if you won't give me a chance. See the best way to look at this is. You can train me the way you want it done. Not have to worry about the habits of ways you do not want it done. He said he will think about it. Every week after I visited three times. After three weeks he said ok. I than after four months walked into a gift shop. Similar retail but more responsibilities. She said to me you only have four months. I said yes. I am a determined learner. My supervisor was the one who gave me the opportunity. She told her to give me a chance. She would train me. I was there for two years and a half. I left Fallas shortly after getting hired there. The hiring manager said she was glad she hired me. The shop was closing and I was the the last one to stick around to keep up the work until it closed. She told me she never thought I would have been the one.

See you just need to believe in yourself. You really want it. Show them. Use those words that I said. How can I get experience when no on gives me a chance. You can do this.

Hi Mrs Michelle Ocker ! You can take the skills you have gained with you and transfer them into your new desired role. : ) After all, you want to prove to an employer that you have what it takes. Here’s how to get started!

Check the job description If you’re not sure which skills you should include for a particular role check the job description and see what they are looking for! Here are a few examples of skills that you can transfer, check out more [here] (https://www.utoledo.edu/success/career/pdfs/transferable_skills_checklist.pdf). -Leadership -Motivation -Time management -Delegation -Communication -Research

Show proof Make sure once you add a skill to your resume that you show how you performed it at your job! -Don’t just say: "Great leadership skills." -Prove it: "Excellent leadership skills, demonstrated when I successfully managed a small team of individuals over the course of a three-day fundraising event."

Make a list of your job duties Create a list of your current and past job duties. Focus on more than what is required of you in your current/previous job or what was/is in your actual job description. Think about what you were you responsible for on a daily basis! Which tasks and duties have you done daily and also which ones did you fulfill that were outside what you were hired for?

Record your accomplishments Now it's time to list specific accomplishments. Did your boss recognize you at some point? Did you save a colleague time by helping he or she complete a project? Think of achievements that are both large and small. They ALL matter to your next employer!

Best of luck.

Let us know how we can help : )