I work in HE. For the past 3 months I have been trying to find a new job. It has been very challenging. This happened to me several times in separate interviews where the interviewer would make disparaging comments about the state of Sears. It almost feels like having Sears on my resume is a hindrance rather a boost to my chances of getting a job.
Anyone have similar experiences? What did you do to land a new job?
What about putting SHC for company name?
I was thinking of doing that.
For those considering taking Sears off their resume, instead try using a generic description in place of the company name - something like "A Major Department Store" instead of "Sears". That way you can still show your experience without getting the knee-jerk reaction to the name. If you get an interview, then you can reveal the name there with better context.
I know ex Sears employees to have moved onto a number of high profile companies, google, Facebook, McDonald, apple, I could go on and on and a quick search on linkedin will show you that ex Sears employees are not hindered and go onto many successful roles, all comes down tot he individual, if u are not getting much luck you need to work on the jobs your applying for or your interview technique
It all depends on the individual. Let's say you are making a good salary even at the high end for your position and are employed by Sears Holdings. Then when you go to interview, the interviewer will understand why you stayed. You just need to show progression in your job career.....different jobs, raises, etc. If you show that, then there won't be a question why you stayed. If you don't show that, they will wonder why you would put up with that kind of treatment and think you don't value yourself. Now if you talk poorly about your former or present employer, that is just a red flag of "stay the heck away from this individual." Even if pushed to talk negatively, don't as this is trick.
......"i have been with sears for 30 years, started as a stock boy in high school. I believe working for this company has hindered my chances of getting a quality position at another company."
I don't think that being with Sears has necessarily hindered your chances of obtaining another job, but being with Sears for 30 years or with any company for that long. We are part of a "knowledge economy" right now-- so if you have worked for any company for more than a decade, you are the poster kid for stagnation, lack of skills and initiative, and non-risk taking.... I'm not being a jerk but this is how HR and recruiters view you. Just a piece of advice: keep growing your skills and resume and you will always be fine. Stick to one company for security and comfort and you are done.
I can tell you I opted not to take a job (I'm in IT) that had a manager who had been a manager at Sears Hoffman for years. I wanted to get away from the management style and possibly leftover toxic attitudes. So it's not just employers looking to resumes with Sears on them and having negatively colored preconceptions.
Agree all around. Trash talking Sears is a test of your personal integrity. It's also a test to see how emotionally/mentally vested you are in your old employer. If you haven't gotten past the surprise and hurt of being let go, you probably aren't ready to give your best to a new opportunity. Find a way to pivot and point the trash talk into a productive direction, as others have suggested.
I also can't help wondering how many of these Negative Nelly types have SHC on their own resumes and are still recovering from their own personal tale of woe. Just sayin'.
I have talked to hiring managers who once they see Sears on the resume they cast it aside and round file it. Too bad because there are some excellent people still with Sears who are having a hard time getting out. Also, NEVER EVER badmouth a current or former employer. That is the kiss of death in an employment interview.
DO NOT BADMOUTH Sears at an interview. As tempting as it is to talk shop and 'get friendly' with an interviewer, don't do it.
My trick when asked these kinds of things was 'yeah, Sears has its issues, but I accomplished blah blah blah during my time'. Turn it around to show you can work in tough situations, and get the job done even with roadblocks and stuff.
Good luck interviewing.
I agree it's a trap when they try to get you to bad mouth a former ( or present ) employer.
I always said, you never know who you will be working for in the future.
Imagine down the road , at another company, facing a former Seats manager . Especially if you stay in retail.
I'm not here to say "I told you so" but people in this site that didn't want to be listened to months ago kept advising this to people that were still with the company. I left them company as I saw the writing on the wall while my title still mattered. Now when I look at a Sears applicant, eve after working for them for years, I am very cautious... you just don't know if they are talented, loyal people or just the leftovers when the talent left the company. My second questions is why didn't they see this coming? It was very very clear and it is a red flag that it didn't happen sooner. My advice at this point is for you to step down I your job search... I know it is tough and financial responsibilities make it extremely hard but unfortunately as I said time and time before your value in the industry hindered by the company on your resume. Don't lose hope but expect to go down a level and show that you are talented enough for a move to your current position. Good luck
I'm a sears ASM currently looking for work elsewhere and im having a hard time even getting quality interviews, i have been with sears for 30 years, started as a stock boy in high school. I believe working for this company has hindered my chances of getting a quality position at another company.
I just be like due to the state of the company I don't feel like I can excel any further within the company and I'm looking for career and personal growth. That line worked for me on 2 interviews. Got offers from both jobs.
They don't want to hire people who bad mouth the company they worked for. It's a trap when they ask.
It is challenging since the situation is so well known. Just don't get baited into being personally negative about the situation. You recognize the issues and saw that Sears has been declining for quite some time. You learned from the experience. You felt it was a good time to make a career move to a company with better growth potential (or something along that line). Maybe there were aspects of the Sears chaos that can be made into positives. Learned to work without supervision. Took care of an entire department alone. Learned to improvise. The bosses and colleagues were great but we didn't have any merchandise to sell.
Politely agree, and indicate that you wish circumstances were different. Be considerate, but not negative. Focus on the job, and be sure to let the interviewer know about the skills you will bring to the new position.
The higher paid the position, the longer it can take to land. Just keep your chin up, and try to stay positive.