I was just invited for an in-person interview for the position of Executive Team Leader at Target.

What should I expect in this interview? What is it like to work for Target? What is a salary for such a position?

Thanks for any feedback!

9/11/2009 1:51:08 PM

Executive Team Leader sounds like HR bs for shift supervisor. Is that what it is?

I've had friends that have worked there. They say it's like every other crappy retail job. Not horrible, not great.

9/11/2009 1:53:44 PM

i would think that working for target would beat the pants off of working for walmart

9/11/2009 1:57:06 PM

^ I'm a supervisor at Wal-Mart...def have to say that brought a smile to my face. But either place you work at, it's RETAIL and you'll have to deal with people yelling at you and complaining all the time.

9/11/2009 2:21:14 PM

^hey, quick question about Walmart...Why are all the self check outs gone at all the local Walmarts?

9/11/2009 2:23:00 PM

true that

i've never worked retail in my life...i hope i never have to

*shudder*

9/11/2009 2:23:11 PM

^^ do you get like a special discount for being a supervisor?

9/11/2009 2:25:41 PM

I worked at Target for a year, as just another red shirt floor monkey, but I think I can offer a couple of useful observations.

ETLs basically have two responsibilities:

1. they are responsible for product and floor placement in certain parts of the store. Some handle certain portions of hardlines (non-clothing), others handle softlines (clothing, shoes, etc.), and others handle store functions (HR, asset protection, etc.).

2. shift managers. They may end up working any of 4 shifts, depending on needs and other ETL coverage (overnight, morning, mid-day, evening).

In short, you're going to work your ass off, and you should expect to end up moving several times as a part of a career with them. That said, if you're motivated, you can become a Store Team Leader (general manager of a store) within maybe 5-6 years. I've known two to do so after only a few years on the front lines.

[Edited on September 11, 2009 at 2:28 PM. Reason : ^ all Target team members (employees) get a 10% discount on basically everything]

9/11/2009 2:27:41 PM

My brother works at Target as a pharmacy tech and likes it alright.
My sister-in-law works at Target as a district pharmacy trainer or something like that and while she stays really busy and travels a ton makes a shit load of money.
I have never heard either of them complain about the corporate attitude or anything.

9/11/2009 2:28:57 PM

I'll also add that I had more fun working with people at Target than I have in any other part-time job.

9/11/2009 2:31:38 PM

From what I've heard, the working culture is a little different but not necessarily in a bad way. They have a Target lingo which may be tough to catch onto at first but this is true with most jobs. I think ETL's make in the low 40s.

9/11/2009 2:38:14 PM

^ The lingo really isn't complicated.

All you need to know, for starting out:

TL = team leader
ETL = executive team leader
GSTL = guest service team leader
guests = customers

Aaaaand done.

9/11/2009 2:44:57 PM

Yea. Tough was the wrong word. The girl I know is a Sr. Team Lead with a promise of promotion to ETL within a year. So when I was being told stories about work, I couldn't keep it straight in my head because I didn't work there and didnt know the structure.

[Edited on September 11, 2009 at 2:55 PM. Reason : *]

9/11/2009 2:54:19 PM

If its the Cary one go for it. A lot of hot high school girls work there

9/11/2009 2:54:29 PM

http://thebreakroom.org/forum/

that is a website made by Target employees for Target employees.

9/11/2009 2:56:54 PM

^^ Actually, I wouldn't jump at the chance to work a the Cary Target. The store is very well run, but it's second only to the Apex Super-Target in terms of volume of sales. They cycle a LOT of people in and out of that store. When I worked at that location, you pretty much just go home tired all the time.

[Edited on September 11, 2009 at 2:57 PM. Reason : carrot]

9/11/2009 2:57:37 PM

Quote :

"What should I expect in this interview?"

From what I was told about the interview (just a couple days ago) they emphasize:
-Your involvement in extracurriculars
-Your reactions to situations of conflict
-Your leadership capabilities and enthusiam towards the job

[Edited on September 11, 2009 at 3:29 PM. Reason : *]

9/11/2009 3:15:32 PM

Oh, wow. I did not expect all these responses.

Thank you, guys!

9/11/2009 3:46:50 PM

^^ good call, that's exactly it. they want to see people that are self-motivated, and HIGHLY capable of working with a team. because that's the only way a store can run.

9/11/2009 3:56:45 PM

target = hot women

wal-mart = not so hot women

9/11/2009 9:59:57 PM

Quote :

"In short, you're going to work your ass off, and you should expect to end up moving several times as a part of a career with them."

That really can be said for a lot of companies in the business world these days.

Quote :

"What should I expect in this interview? What is it like to work for Target?"

Been awhile since I worked there, but, the culture is one where customers guests DO come first. Ever been approached by an employee team member who asked "May I help you find something?". Has anybody in Wal-Mart EVER offered that?

Difference in business models, no right or wrong about it, but understanding some of the cultural items before going in for an interview in any job is helpful. So far as skillset and personality, they will know what they are looking for in an individual.

Quote :

"What is a salary for such a position?"

Googling "Target Salary" shows this to be $35k-$85k. ETLs are roughly speaking, department / functional managers. You are accountable for your section of the store and if you do not meet expectations, just like any other manager, yes, they will find somebody who can.

[Edited on September 11, 2009 at 10:32 PM. Reason : .]

9/11/2009 10:27:11 PM

Quote :

"target = hot women wal-mart = not so hot easier women"

EDITED; september 11 two thousand and nine at eleven thirty pm

9/11/2009 11:29:16 PM

This thread reminds me of a long Target article I read y-day. If you have one thing going for you...the majority of shoppers are female...1/3 of which are mothers (hopefully milfy).

http://www.startribune.com/business/55867067.html

They are looking to compete with Wal-Mart after a tough year, but by still keeping their "Tar-jay" moniker.

9/12/2009 12:00:34 AM

Being that I've worked for Target in that past hopefully I can help you out.

ETL's - For target it is the equivalent to a Store manager for most retailers out there. Although you'll typically have 1 area of specialty it will be the workload of a Store Manager. An example would be ETL of merchandising or human resources. You're main areas of accountability would be within whatever area you are in.

So be prepared to work incredibly hard, like has already been stated, but also be ready to deal with the politics of Target. If you have the opportunity to get to know important Executives within the company, don't screw it up as it'll go a long ways toward career advancement.

Secondly if you were to work for Target then later on move to another company, what you learn at Target will in all likelihood be of great value. For example I have incredible upward mobility within the company I'm in now simply because of working for Target and the management development that occurred there. Also helps that I work for the former VP of Target.

As far as the interview there really won't be anything outside of the ordinary questions. Just be prepared for what you'd get in any retail interview. The pay for these positions can potentially be pretty high, just know that you can cap out or get to a point that the company won't regret letting you go.

In short if you don't mind working the retail lifestyle, dealing with the politics, and working hard (minimum 45 a week) then you might enjoy target. Hope this helps out some

[Edited on September 12, 2009 at 12:57 AM. Reason : .]

9/12/2009 12:55:21 AM

Quote :

"^hey, quick question about Walmart...Why are all the self check outs gone at all the local Walmarts?"

They still have them in Cary......hate those damn things. They are phasing them out b/c corporate sees no purpose in them. Not sure the logical reasoning behind it though.

9/12/2009 2:04:21 PM

I've never worked there but have a friend who signed up as a ETL. He does work really hard and moves about to different shifts, and lately he's been getting fed up that maybe he'll never "get his own store," which is his goal.

And, yes, watching the hot mommas seems to be the main benefit of his job.

9/13/2009 12:21:17 AM

you can steal a lot of shit at a self checkout lane

9/13/2009 1:02:32 AM

Quote :

"i would think know that working for target would beat the pants off of working for walmart"

9/13/2009 1:16:34 AM

yeah if you are a douchebag

9/13/2009 1:16:40 AM

Way off topic, but I went to the new wal mart in Morrisville today and it's incredibly nice. They're definitely trying to become Target.

9/13/2009 2:16:58 AM

Quote :

"you can steal a lot of shit at a self checkout lane"

Yeah, I've heard that self-checkouts are on the way out in a lot of places because shrink is much higher in stores that have them.

9/13/2009 2:33:03 AM

Quote :

"Yeah, I've heard that self-checkouts are on the way out in a lot of places because shrink is much higher in stores that have them."

Not to mention the fact that the machines are far more annoying to use than simply waiting a couple of extra minutes in line.

9/13/2009 3:34:38 AM

When is your interview?

9/13/2009 6:02:14 AM

It's next week at the Super Target in Apex.

I am preparing for it the best I could. Thanks for the feedback, guys.

9/15/2009 10:32:18 PM

Quote :

"Not to mention the fact that the machines are far more annoying to use than simply waiting a couple of extra minutes in line."

It's not a couple of extra minutes if you're in Walmart. It's the only place where I'll wait 10-15 minutes to get checked out. You always have those groups of people that decide to buy groceries late at night, and Walmart can't seem to keep more than 2 people on a register during that timeframe.

9/16/2009 1:32:46 AM

Btt

10/7/2009 2:43:46 PM

Quote :

"I'll wait 10-15 minutes to get checked out. You always have those groups of people that decide to buy groceries late at night, and Walmart can't seem to keep more than 2 people on a register during that timeframe."

I fekking hate checking out at Sam's Club with one box of diapers. I always get behind the people who have flatbeds filled with 8,000 dollars worth of stuff.

10/7/2009 3:00:17 PM

when i shop for the mine i usually fill a flatbed, set it aside, and then fill a cart.

10/7/2009 3:01:46 PM