How to move from Retail to Corporate Roles.

I did it and you can do it too!

Transitioning from retail floor to corporate office in the same company can be a rewarding career move and even though it might look like a huge jump, it’s more possible than you think. I have done it myself – starting as a part-time cashier and eventually landing a corporate role in Global Mobility. You can read more about my experience and how I landed this role here: How I moved from Retail to Corporate

And the truth is: retail teaches you more than you realize.

If you are ready to take your retail experience to the next level, here are some practical steps to help you make the leap:

Assess Your Transferable Skills and Experience

Working in retail provides you with a range of valuable skills that translate directly to corporate environments. Retail jobs cultivate abilities that many corporate teams seek out when hiring new talent.

• Customer Service: Developing effective communication and relationship management skills by interacting with a wide variety of customers.

• Handling Rush Hours: Practicing time management and stress control during busy periods, which is essential in fast-paced corporate settings.

• Dealing with Complaints: Building conflict resolution skills by addressing and solving customer issues.

• Training New Associates: Demonstrating leadership by guiding and mentoring new team members.

• Closing or Opening the Departments: Showing responsibility and ownership by managing critical store operations.

• Reviewing Daily Numbers: Gaining data awareness through monitoring and analyzing sales or performance figures.

• Following Store Standards: Understanding compliance and policy knowledge by adhering to company guidelines and procedures.

Your experience on the retail floor serves as a solid foundationfor many corporate roles. You have direct contact with the company's customers, which means you understand their needs and preferences. More importantly, you possess insights into both the business and people's needs from the ground level. The key to making the transition is to present your retail experience in a way that highlights how these skills and insights benefit corporate teams.

Raise your Hand: Let the leaders know you want to grow!

Growth doesn’t happen quickly. And it sure doesn’t happen on its own. Your leaders need to know that you are interested in growing. Tell your managers that you are intrigued about the corporate work. Most companies love internal mobility (Walmart does this extremely well), and leaders keep rising employees in mind when opportunities come up. But for them to keep you in mind, they need to know you exist!

Managers aren’t mind readers. If you say nothing, you’ll keep getting the same schedule and responsibilities. But once they know you, they’ll likely assist you with your growth. They will give you tasks that build leadership, let you assist with small admin tasks, shadow supervisors, and give you more resources and responsibilities.

Also know that leaders talk to other leaders. Your name will travel through conversations you’re not even in. If you are consistent, respectful, and vocal about your growth, your reputation builds without you realizing. You don’t need big speeches. A simple professional message works perfectly.

Now your words will only matter if they are followed by action. Anyone can say they want growth. But if you prove it, you will stand out. So, make sure that you show up on time, volunteer for tasks, seek feedback, follow through on the feedback, and stay professional!

When leaders and managers see your consistency, they start trusting you with higher-level work. Many companies also have Mentor-Mentee programs. Your coach can help you with finding a mentor who can guide you through your career journey.

Look for Roles That You Connect With

When considering your next career move, it's important to seek out positions that genuinely align with your strengths, interests, and personal motivation. I had previously worked in many customers focused positions and dealt with a lot of people. Thus, I went for Human Resources. My associates are my customers, and I feel energized and motivated to help them. Reflect on your previous roles and evaluate which ones brought you the most satisfaction and best highlighted your true personality. Choosing a department or position that excites and energizes you will help ensure long-term motivation and fulfillment in your work.

Look back into your education. The educational programs that you complete can help you decide your career move. This doesn’t mean that you need to look for a role that aligns with your education. This means that you need to assess whether the education you completed resonates well with you and whether it can help you with your next career move. For example, I completed bachelor’s in mathematics and statistics, but when it came to my full-time work life, I did not feel the excitement to working in the related fields. It was an interesting course but not interesting enough for me to make a career out of it. So, even though my studies didn’t help me with what job to choose, it did help me understand what jobs to stay away from! And elimination is one of the most popular ways of choosing something.

But if your field of study is related to your desired career path, then definitely use it to your advantage.

Take advantage of your company's internal resources, such as job postings on the internal portal. Spend time reviewing distinct roles and their responsibilities to determine which ones might suit you. Pay attention to the qualifications required for these positions, even if you don't meet all criteria right now, identifying the expectations will allow you to prepare and focus your development efforts accordingly.

Ultimately, look for roles that reflect your interests and strengths, and take proactive steps to position yourself for those opportunities.

Learn the Basics of Office Tools

Most corporate jobs require proficiency in essential office tools such as Excel, Outlook, Teams or Zoom, as well as basic data entry, reporting, and documentation skills. You do not need to achieve perfection in these areas; rather, focus on building your confidence. Lacking knowledge in using these tools does not mean you are bad at your job, but it can cause you to feel left behind. When that happens, you may lose confidence, which is something you want to avoid.

Confidence is rooted in knowledge, so make sure you equip yourself with the skills most relevant to your role. You can learn these tools for free through platforms like LinkedIn Learning, YouTube, and Coursera. Dedicating even 30 minutes a day to learning will help you build momentum. Additionally, your company may offer internal resources or programs to support your development in these areas.

Consider reaching out to colleagues who excel at using these tools and ask for tips or quick demonstrations. Many workplaces also host informal sessions or workshops for skill-building, which can be a supportive way to learn alongside others. By actively engaging in these opportunities and embracing a growth mindset, you'll gradually become more comfortable and efficient in your daily tasks.

Volunteer or Take on Extra Tasks at Work

One of the best ways to learn and grow is to be involved. Volunteering for additional projects or taking on new responsibilities within your current role can be a wonderful wayto expand your skill set and demonstrate your initiative. Not only does this allow you to learn by doing, but it also helps you build relationships with colleagues across different teams. By stepping outside your usual tasks, you might discover new interests or strengths that could influence your future career choices.

Reach out to leaders in your preferred departments and see if they have any opportunities for you. Ensure that your current coach is aware and supportive of this. You do not want to jeopardize your current role for promotion or a move. You can even do extra tasks in your current role which will help you either gain business acumen or the necessary skills.

I always asked my managers if there were new learning opportunities and never missed a chance to join.

Remember, volunteering for extra responsibilities can also make you more visible to management, showing your willingness to contribute and grow. This can lead to valuable mentorship opportunities and increase your chances of being considered for future advancement. Be sure to balance these additional tasks with your regular workload to avoid burnout and maintain consistent performance.

Maintain a Corporate-Level Attitude in Retail Roles

Adopting a corporate-level attitude, even when working in a retail environment, can set you apart and position you for future opportunities. This means consistently demonstrating professionalism, reliability, and an initiative-taking mindset, regardless of your current role. Treat your responsibilities with the same seriousness and commitment you would in a corporate setting. Be punctual, communicate clearly, and support your team.

By maintaining high standards and a cheerful outlook, you build a reputation for excellence that can open doors to advancement. Managers and leaders often notice individuals who consistently go above and beyond, making you a strong candidate when new roles become available. In addition, embracing a corporate mindset helps you develop transferable skills, such as effective communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, which are valuable in any professional environment.

Ultimately, keeping a corporate-level attitude in retail not only enhances your performance but also prepares you for growth and new challenges as you progress in your career.

Additional Tips:

• Seek Feedback and Track your Wins: I highly encourage you to document your accomplishments, gather feedback from managers, and use this record during interviews.

• Understand company’s corporate culture, values, and missions: Refine and highlight your knowledge on these points. Being knowledgeable about what your organization stands for allows you to align your actions and decisions with its overarching goals, making your contributions more impactful.

• Strengthen your Business Acumen: Put efforts into understanding customer insights, P&L (Profit and Loss), KPIs (Key Performance Indicator) and how the store impacts corporate strategy.

• Rewrite your Resume for Corporate Roles: When preparing your resume for corporate positions, ensure that it is both professional and tailored to the requirements outlined in the job description. Refer to the first point in this guide for inspiration on how to highlight your retail experience in a way that highlights your professional skills.

In summary, moving from a retail role into a corporate position takes intentional effort, ongoing learning, and a genuine commitment to growth. By taking on additional responsibilities, adopting a corporate-ready mindset, seeking constructive feedback, and understanding your company’s larger goals, you position yourself as a strong candidate for future opportunities. With thoughtful preparation and a focus on building essential business skills, you can turn your retail experience into a powerful steppingstone toward corporate success.

To know more about my journey, read Jobs in Canada | My 13 job roles explored and if you would like to know how to find a job in Canada, read: 10 ways to find a job in Canada | Here's your guide on how to find a job in Canada

Thank you for reading!