Every job I like asks for experience I don’t have

From ruling yourself out on paper… to realising you’re already qualified.

Tom here…

Yesterday, I was talking about retailers jumping between retailers.
And it happens all the time.

Now imagine something for a second.

Imagine being rejected by a retailer because you didn’t have experience using their systems.
Or working in their stores.
Or following their processes.

It wouldn’t happen, would it?

Yet the moment we look outside retail, that’s exactly what we do to ourselves.

We rule ourselves out because of the experience we don’t think we have.

But if you’re targeting leadership or management roles.

Which you should be… because that’s where the bulk of your transferable value sits.

Then here’s the truth most people miss:

You don’t lead people using retail knowledge.
You lead people using people knowledge.

Motivation. Performance. Accountability. Development. Pressure. Decision-making.

Those things don’t magically change because the logo on the building does.

And let’s be honest, processes and systems change between retailers all the time anyway.

New company, new acronyms, new software, same learning curve.

No one is ever truly “experienced” in a company they haven’t worked in

Whether that’s retail or any other industry.

Yes, some job descriptions say “must have X years’ industry experience.”

But that’s rarely because it’s truly essential.

It’s there because employers get hundreds of applications, and the easiest way to reduce them is to encourage people to self-filter.

Think about it, if someone genuinely had five years’ experience in that industry, they’d probably still be in it.

The experience requirement isn’t always a barrier.
It’s a motivation test. If you really wanted the job, you’d apply anyway.

Once you’ve passed the motivation test of applying.

The next hurdle is translating your experience into something meaningful.

But that’s impossible if you’re targeting 100+ jobs.

Which is exactly why I built the 36 industries and roles where retail managers actually go.

Instead of firing off applications and hoping something sticks, it helps you narrow your focus to 3–4 realistic options where.

But here’s the thing, I won’t keep this open indefinitely.

Pre-ordering closes at the end of this month.
And once it does, the bonuses won’t be coming back.

If clarity feels useful right now, now’s the window.

»> Stop ruling yourself out before employers do

Because once you stop trying to be everything to everyone…
…your CV, applications, and interviews finally start landing.

If you’ve been leading people for years, you’re not underqualified.
You’re just speaking retail in a non-retail world.

Cheering you on,

Tom