Thread regarding Sears layoffs

I left a management position at a Sears store, and was hired about a month later in a management position at an upscale store very close to where I had worked. At the hiring interview, the overall discussion was about Sears and why the Sears organization loses so many talented people. Anyway, we laughed about it and had the general (and accurate) consensus that Sears is a disaster and simply unimportant. I now make about 20% more than what Sears had paid me, and (finally) happy with my present-day position where I'm appreciated.

I worked at Hoffman in one of the IT departments. Was laid off in the Feb 23rd purge. Less than 3 weeks later I had another IT job lined up. Many more IT managers, directors and associates (the worker-bees that get most of the real work done) have left on their own accord since then. IT is having a serious brain-drain at Hoffman. If any major network/infrastructure outage occurs it will not be an easy fix.

I legit feel bad for the retail employees. It may feel safe to stick around knowing that Sears won't fire you outright, but you never know when your store may close or you may get screwed on hours going forward.

I was a former hardlines ASM and was simply burned out of the job. I am now an ETL-HL at Target earning 25-30% more than I did at Sears.

There's ups and downs at Target just like anywhere else. However, I am not coming home stressed like I did at Sears. I actually look forward to coming in to work. I've lost weight, feel noticeably happier and more energetic.

More importantly, I get the vibe (that's our motto) that Target cares about its customers and employees. It also seems to have an interest in staying in business--most of the policies and processes in place seem to promote efficiency. Oh, we also have a great loss prevention program, something that was lacking at my old Sears store and drove me crazy!

That said, I am thankful for the experience that I had at Sears even though it got bad especially towards the end. It has enabled me to move on to better things.

left three years ago and took another job in retail (I do like retail) for twice the money doing the same job as I had at Sears. The new company gives us the tools we need to be successful, gives incentives (raises, bonuses) and generally shows that they care about the employees. And while there are metrics to meet they are no where near as confusing or asnine as SHC metrics. THese metrics actually have something to do with being a profitable business and not just some way for some corporate person to justify there job. Best thing I have ever done.

Note to Eddie: It is not the media that is being unfair or ruining your business it is you and the policy makers at HE.

Left two years ago was a lead in every dpt at one point or another . After constant harassment and no raise for years I took another job where I doubled my income with in those two years I'm making about $24 hr. I wont post where I'm working but everyone that I worked with know where I am at. I will say that I was called and offered my old job back twice.... I truly tried not to laugh and just said there's no way for you to match my income now.

Quit QMT position and went on to work for a contractor , who had an account with a professional sports team. Got hired by the team , and have since retired . Life is good.

I started a marketing/publicity organization representing entertainers.

I am currently on my severance pay, and I am getting unemployment benefits also. I do not know when I will go back to work. I will be getting my Sears Pension in a couple of months so I am OK.

I do not want to go back into retail, over 18 years with Sears. Something will come up.

Hey I really got on my grind and started looking for another job. The feeling you get of possibilities and excitement of something new is great. Working for Sears has been such a downer that even when you go to interview somewhere else is makes you feel better. Just look and apply,it will take time but keep pushing

I started a carpet cleaning business which was way different than being a QMT' at Sears. I must say that it took me 5 years working both jobs to get it off the ground and to make the pay jump but I am happy and making more than sears could ever pay me. 😀

Left Sears as a Store manager and took the same position with a different retail company. Right off the bat I was given a higher salary, more vacation, incredible benefits, a real bonus structure with yearly raises to all management and associates, and was treated to people that actually cared not only about their associates but about their business. I have friends that struggle to get out because of personal situations in which they cannot find a similar position because their resumes simply say Sears on it, their value has decreased susbtantially due to retailers not knowing if it is someone with talent or the only body left in a store. Don't hesitate to get out while you can specially if you are in a management position, you see the balance sheet, there is no coming back and if you were promoted through the vacancies left by talent leaving the company don't hesitate to step down to an assistant at another company, if they brought you on in the last few months or year I can tell you that you will make around the same salary as an assistant as you are as a store manager.

That is not necessarily true about corporate. Now if you aren't interested in working at Sears corporate I understand, but if someone emailed me a resume of someone who currently works in the stores, I would definitely consider that person a possibility for any of my open jobs.

My advice is to get out of retail, or at least get out of the store level retail, if you can. Depending on your age and job history you may already be somewhat typecast into being a basic cashier/floor associate. No experience is better than 10 years on a retail floor for most places, when it comes to hiring within corporate (which isn't how it used to be)

My advice is to either look at a trade, get an office job, or go back to school. Now most people are going to say, its not that easy... well they are right, it isn't that easy, but not where they think. You can probably get the job, but it will be low paying and crappy. That said stick that job out for a year and then look for a better one, but now you have something other than "Cashier" on your resume.