Career change from beauty to something else?

Skag

My wife is in her early 30s, we've no children. She has a degree of international trade that she acquired about a decade ago but never practised it, and she's been working in beauty, at a high end brand in central London as an account manager. The pay is low, 28k pa, the commission is a joke and the timetable varies; she hardly ever gets 2 days in a row, and rarely a full weekend. I'm sure a lot of people know the timetables in these jobs (can go up to 11pm). Needless to say there are no holidays on bank holidays and season holidays, because that's how high street works, and that's fair.

She doesn't know what she wants to do next, she only knows that she's fed up with these jobs, and I think she doesn't have a role model. She's very pretty, smart and communicative, and has been told numerous times what a valuable team leader she is and an asset to the company. Still, this doesn't change the underlying issues of company culture, environment, timetable etc.

In terms of total income we're quite comfortable, because I've got a good job and investments, so she could afford to stay without a job for a while. She won't though because she's too proud!

All we know so far is that she wouldn't want to become a recruiter, an estate agent (these two are around sales, that's why), or anything that has to do selling over the phone etc.

Any suggestions or similar experiences to what she could possibly change to?

theoretica

I am curious, why do you say she is 'in beauty' rather than 'an account manager'? How much of what she does is actually beauty? It is not my field, but I would expect a sideways move to an account manager in a different field and company to be a viable option for her.

Skag

An account manager in beauty is the person who holds the till and accounts (close of the day, timetables etc). It's not an office job, she still sells beauty products and she's practically at the counter like all the other beauty advisers.

The side step will still be in retail, still in high street, which is what we want to get away from...

xapprenticex

Why do they come up with these inflated job titles (no offense to your wife), your problem is London.

saker75

What does she want to do?
There are tons of Graduate Schemes that she would still be eligible for - Eg L'Or!al or John Lewis (yes still retail but with prospects).

coffeehound

Since money is not a problem, she could refresh and update her skills with a Masters degree in a subject that appeals. Masters taught courses can be more career-orientated than the purely academic ones.

Skag

Thank you all for your replies.

Why do they come up with these inflated job titles (no offense to your wife), your problem is London.

I agree...I don't know. They also have business manager, area manager etc. Don't ask. I think the biggest problem in these high end brands is culture though, including job titles.

There are tons of Graduate Schemes that she would still be eligible for - Eg L'Or!al or John Lewis (yes still retail but with prospects).

Would they realistically accept someone in her early 30s?

Since money is not a problem, she could refresh and update her skills with a Masters degree in a subject that appeals. Masters taught courses can be more career-orientated than the purely academic ones.

We thought of that. I am a bit wary as to how much as masters would help with her background. Then again, it's still an option.

DCFC79

Skag wrote: »

Would they realistically accept someone in her early 30s?


We thought of that. I am a bit wary as to how much as masters would help with her background. Then again, it's still an option.

No harm in asking re the graduate programme or apply and see what what happens.

robatwork

If she is as pretty, smart and communicative as you state then companies looking for someone in a training role would snap her up.

You don't necessarily need to have a training background or relevant degree as you will be trained in the product/service so that you can go out and deliver training. You have to be a good learner (smart), good orator (communicative) and presentable (pretty).

Bogalot

Skag wrote: »

Would they realistically accept someone in her early 30s?

Early 30s is not old for a graduate, there are people in their 50s graduating and starting new careers. Also there is no reason why she should limit herself to retail, many schemes don't expect direct experience of their field.

amandacat

NVQ Assessor? Lots of people use their occupational experiences to move into this. My sister did this and loves it although not for everyone.