Archived Received my store assignment...

[bullseyekindaguy]

As some of you already know, I'm an extended intern... I spent the initial internship in logistics and then moved to GE (where I was basically a GSTL because that's where hours were available and we were both headcount in GSA's) as an extended intern during the school year.

Anyways, I was told during a meeting today that our current ETL-GE/Salesfloor is leaving the company in June and I will be filling her position.

While this is nice because I won't have to worry about getting to know a team, and I'm already familiar with the leaders in the store, I'm also slightly nervous. We losing 4 (out of 8) of our team leaders due to AE14 cuts, and we have been 'encouraged' to cut the 'deadweight' who have already checked out. I'm not really familiar with the salesfloor... I've tried learning things over time, but everyone has a different process for PTMing and how things should be merchandised that it's been difficult trying to adapt.

Also, about 2 weeks ago, I was called into my STL's office and was basically given a "quit or be fired" conversation. I was told that she doesn't see me as a 'leader' in the building and I really don't "fit into the Target mold." And that while I'm good at delegating and following up, that I have opportunities in promoting Cartwheel and being an :ambassador" for sales on the floor.

It's worth noting, that this is the first time I've had this type of conversation... I've been recognized for helping grow team member engagement, improving conversion scores, and have helped improve lower performing team members to constant contributors. When my DTL was in the store for a few days to shadow my STL, I was given recognition for all the good things my team had said about me to her (like they feel they can come to me with problems and concerns, I follow-up in a timely manner, etc.). I've worked in retail management prior, but I've no problems like this before...

I'm trying to find something else, but I'm extremely nervous about my future, if any, with Target in this role... I have no clue what to do.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Don't panic & play the game. Know everything about the store, like ge, process, & know all teams. Think outside of spot to help sales. Have no fear of the Salesfloor, walk it & know what is there. Talk the Salesfloor tm's & tl on a regular basis for issues or solutions. Let them know you care about spot & them. I am not too sure about your stl.
Don't give up.

 

[IamLegendTGT]

Are you sure it was a quit or be fired conversation if they offered you a ETL position after you interned? They know what your strengths/opps are and you have a track record built up some sort of reputation that they are investing time and money to go the next level in your career. I would continue soliciting feedback from your STL, get a mentor, take partners with your peers to ensure you are closing any gaps your leader identifies.

 

[bullseyekindaguy]

Are you sure it was a quit or be fired conversation if they offered you a ETL position after you interned? They know what your strengths/opps are and you have a track record built up some sort of reputation that they are investing time and money to go the next level in your career. I would continue soliciting feedback from your STL, get a mentor, take partners with your peers to ensure you are closing any gaps your leader identifies.

I should mention, that my STL's have changed during my extended internship. So the STL that signed-off on me is different then my current one.

And my STL doesn't see what my original STL saw in me. Of course, that may be driven by the fact I wasn't juggling classes AND an internship with my original STl, but I don't know. My STL also didn't like my original mentor and she is afraid that I may have picked up on some of his habits... He is no longer with company and after talking to him, he had a similar conversation with this STL before he quit.

I also know that my STL is under a lot of pressure... Our sales are down for the 4 year in a row and we have major roadwork going on the 2 streets near my store, so we aren't getting as much traffic and sales losses continue to grow. We've had a couple DTL/GL visits and everyone is concerned that they are visiting to assess if the store should be closed or not.

 

[Ringwraith917]

Sounds to me like you're a great leader, but maybe your 1 on 1 interactions with guests need tweaking. Be Bold (do everything in your power to help that guest), acknowledge every single guest, push Redcards hard. In-Store pickup, cartwheel (know the double-dip list every week), free shipping from the website when using your Redcard, etc. Do this in front of your STL as much as possible.

 

[Mhugh220]

You just have to have tough skin. Take the occasional verbal beating your STL is guaranteed to give you now and then and continue to kick butt. Once you have a firm grasp on how your job should be done don't be afraid to give it back to your STL. Respectfully own your process if you think your STL is wrong. Sales floor is easy. Target gives you everything, and if you have a better best practice that works for your store, use it. Just speak to it when asked because best practice doesn't fit all stores. Good luck selling red cards. I know I wouldn't want to try maintaining a green score in red cards after a security breach and the dismissal of the CEO. Hopefully Target has pulled their reigns back a little with those demands. ETL is a high turnover position because the work/life balance and stress is not worth it. Your ETL GE is making the right choice. Take the job, don't be nervous, and if you feel like you're going to crack, start finding another job. I started looking 6 months after I started at Target. I didn't like being judged on things that weren't in my control.

 

[bullseyekindaguy]

I started looking 6 months after I started at Target. I didn't like being judged on things that weren't in my control.

This is what I mean.

RedCards are still are a hardsell, but since the other stores in my district are green (even one with a 3.5 conversion), we have to be as well. We've made strides, but not an hour goes by that I hear, "Is it safe to use my card?" As for pulling back on the reigns... It hasn't stopped. When they announced the pin-and-chip cards, it was "oh look, now there are no excuses! The cards are safe no!"

Guest surveys drive me buggy. We went red 2 weeks in a row, and now the ETL's chase guests down with iPads practically begging them to take a survey. They are going so far as to have the GSA/GSTL go to Food Ave with one and ask as people are eating or sitting. The second week we were red, my STL had a panic attack and went home early because she was 'sick' after she found out the DTL was making rounds to red stores.

Truth be told, I've been looking for a position ever since my original internship ended. My degree is in HR and I would like to do something with that... I always considered Target as a "back-up." Was kinda hoping for an ETL-HR position so I get that oh-so important experience in HR to take to another company.

Thanks everyone for the support. I think I could do it... It's just getting that confidence back. News has been told to some of the carry forward TL's and they are very excited to work with me. I guess that is saying something!

 

[paidtosmile]

My degree is in HR and I would like to do something with that... I always considered Target as a "back-up." Was kinda hoping for an ETL-HR position so I get that oh-so important experience in HR to take to another company.

Are we the same person? This is/was my exact career plan, down to the last letter.

But hang in there, you'll get over that bump in the road! It sounds like your DTL likes you! And plus, there are so many better opportunities that aren't in retail so if Target doesn't work out the worst that could happen is you might end up with a 9 to 5 job with holidays and weekends off!

 

[Hidethebodies]

Hate to pit you and your STL against each other but it sounds like this is an opportunity to go to your DTL and have a conversation with them about her and what she told you. If you have your DTLs support (which it seems you do) and your STL is on a slippery slope this might be the push she deserves to get her out the door, or at the very least get you transferred to a different store.

ETLs are very expensive to train, which is why Target tries their best to retain talent, and make accommodations. That and firing one is an entirely difficult and tedious process. Just do your best, keep your head down and see about transferring if she's making you uncomfortable.

 

[bullseyekindaguy]

My degree is in HR and I would like to do something with that... I always considered Target as a "back-up." Was kinda hoping for an ETL-HR position so I get that oh-so important experience in HR to take to another company.

Are we the same person? This is/was my exact career plan, down to the last letter.

But hang in there, you'll get over that bump in the road! It sounds like your DTL likes you! And plus, there are so many better opportunities that aren't in retail so if Target doesn't work out the worst that could happen is you might end up with a 9 to 5 job with holidays and weekends off!

Haha yea. I was hoping I would get pegged for an HR position after helping resolve some team member performance issues (one had to be fired, but it was a team member they were afraid of firing, but really needed to go and the other has shown great improvement) and just doing my best to recognize and motivate the team. But I think after mentioning that merchandising was an opportunity of mine, they decided on a salesfloor position for me.

As for the HR experience... I got a call about an interview with a company for an entry-level position in HR... The lady who called actually used to work for Target back in the Dayton Hudson days and understood my reasoning for looking outside of retail.

We'll see. I'm taking it day-by-day. My LOD shifts are getting stronger and stronger... My list of 'opporunities' is reducing, but I can't shake that feeling of consistency being under the microscope... Especially when I'm trying to do something and one of the ETL asks "Don't forget to do this?" "Have you done that?!" Like, I'm doing it or going to do it when I'm done this.

I'm getting there. Just taking it day-by-day.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

I would follow up on entry hr job..

 

[bullseyekindaguy]

Interview Tuesday! It's a 4 hour drive to the interview location (their HQ) so hoping it's a short list and I'm one of the stronger candidates.

 

[bullseyekindaguy]

UPDATE!!!!!

So received a call back from the company outside of Target.... I got the job!!!!!!!!!!!! No more do I need to worry about red cards! No more do I need to worry about the DTL, GVP, RVP, or whatever other alphabet soup position they made up, guest surveys, Vibing, or any other crap! I am so happy and so relived! Sure, the pay is less then what I would get as an ETL, but it's more then enough to make it work. Plus, the 9-5, weekends off are invaluable! I can have a life outside of work!!

Anyways, prior to me telling my STL... She called me into the office. Surprise, surprise, I was told that I wouldn't be filling the Salesfloor/GE position due to the gap between her leaving and the end of business college. When I asked what the plan was, she said that another intern (who graduated early) would be reporting to my store and that me (and the other 3 interns from my class) would be benched. So I just went ahead and told her I'd be putting my two week notice. She was shocked... As was most of my team and ETL's. Now she's being annoying and trying to get me to buy things for my future apartment... "Oh, you should get these towels they are sale" or "oh, look at this furniture, you should get it."

Excited doesn't begin to explain how I feel right now.... 🙂

 

[commiecorvus]

Congratulations on the new job.
Shame they didn't respect you enough at your store but their loss.
Drop by and let us know how things are going.

 

[mrknownothing]

Congratulations! Another one set free. Best of luck to you in your new endeavor.

 

[Mhugh220]

Congratulations! A 9-5, less paying, weekend/holidays off professional job is way better than the higher pay, no life of an ETL. It was nice enjoying a 4 day weekend without having to take vacation time!

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Congrats!