Archived College grad looking at Target as a Career path.

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Imperial10

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I just graduated with my BA in Psychology, and am looking to get into a career type job. I have a friend who works for Target as a Senior Team Leader, and he loves it and has been encouraging me to apply. He's had someone he knows send out my resume to all the Targets in Southern California, and I've been told I'll mainly be considered for TL positions to start. I currently make roughly $22-26 dollars an hour at my current part time job, but there is no room for promotion, or moving up in the company. So I'm totally fine with making a bit less to start in order to improve my long term career options. I'm completely comfortable busting my butt in order to impress my supervisors and move along in a company that I have options to advance in.

I'd love to hear if you guys think this would be a good idea, or should I continue to look at other options?
 
I have applied to a few ETL positions but wasn't selected. I've been told that it's hard to get selected as an ETL without any manager experience. Not sure how accurate that is though.
 
Hmm. Guess I will continue to apply for ETL then!

I do have two years of retail experience, and an additional 7 years of customer service experience.
 
Imperial10 said:
I have applied to a few ETL positions but wasn't selected. I've been told that it's hard to get selected as an ETL without any manager experience. Not sure how accurate that is though.
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Interesting a lot of our ETLs are fresh out of college (Found out today Target loves having ETLs recruit other young talent) however many dont have experience. Starting as a TL is not bad, your hours are capped at 40 unlike etls who often do 50 to 60. But it will be a pay cut for you. I would go for ETL HR if you are a psych major. Most of the other ETL positions will only translate to other retail jobs.
 
@HRZone I'd absolutely love HR. I've been looking at HR positions, but the problem is almost everyone requires some form of HR experience which I don't currently have. I will definitely be looking at HR positions for Target!
 
Imperial10 said:
@HRZone I'd absolutely love HR. I've been looking at HR positions, but the problem is almost everyone requires some form of HR experience which I don't currently have. I will definitely be looking at HR positions for Target!
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You have a similar story to me, HR positions require experience well how do you get it? Target is one way to get it. Its not the most glorious job but I love supporting the team behind the scenes. If you are an ETL you not only get HR experience but you will be paid well for it.
 
@HRZone That's awesome to hear! I'll keep on sending those applications out then. I have the luxury of living in Southern California, so I have tons of stores to apply to!

While I have you, do you recommend I look into the ETL internship if I continue not having success with ETL positions?
 
I have no HR experience but my leaders asked me to take the HR TM position. I am getting a new HR ETL next week, fresh out of college. I would apply for the HR ETL position.
 
Imperial10 said:
@HRZone That's awesome to hear! I'll keep on sending those applications out then. I have the luxury of living in Southern California, so I have tons of stores to apply to!

While I have you, do you recommend I look into the ETL internship if I continue not having success with ETL positions?
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Its not a bad gig, you do a lot of work but it pays much better than most intern/training positions. Being in SoCal I am confident you could get an ETL position if you do well in interviews.
 
Imperial10 said:
@HRZone I'd absolutely love HR. I've been looking at HR positions, but the problem is almost everyone requires some form of HR experience which I don't currently have. I will definitely be looking at HR positions for Target!
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My husband went from softlines ETL to HR ETL- it was the first HR experience he ever had. He loved it so much that he went on to be an STL with hopes to become an HRBP and got that position after 18 months. Even if you start in a non HR related position, you can eventually get there!
 
HRZone said:
Its not a bad gig, you do a lot of work but it pays much better than most intern/training positions. Being in SoCal I am confident you could get an ETL position if you do well in interviews.
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It's only been about a month of applying, but I'm not even getting to the interview process. I can communicate very effectively and have done great in other interview processes for past jobs. If I get to the Target Interview, I'm very confident in my ability to land the job. Maybe it's something on my resume that Target isn't too impressed by.
 
Targetcar said:
My husband went from softlines ETL to HR ETL- it was the first HR experience he ever had. He loved it so much that he went on to be an STL with hopes to become an HRBP and got that position after 18 months. Even if you start in a non HR related position, you can eventually get there!
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Awesome! I always thought HR would be right up my alley, so that makes me very excited for the future ahead! Thanks for the information!
 
Some STL'a do Job fairs at colleges, I've known a couple ETL's that came solely from doing those workshop meet and greets. makes it easier because they can meet you face to face.
 
The real question is whether or not you enjoyed your time in retail and customer service... if you did you'll enjoy working at Target.

There's crap everywhere...and I mean everywhere...no job is free from it. There are always two faced people and liars and complainers and people who just can't be bothered or are unhappy no matter what. It's not Targets fault or their leaders. Trust me, some leaders do suck, but again that can happen at any job, anywhere.

The comforting thing is that there are also plenty of people who are patient and understanding and optimistic and hardworking and just doing they're best to get through life. They will be loyal and reliable and trustworthy and great to work with.

Target isn't a perfect company (I don't believe such a thing exists) but it's a lot better than so many other options. It really is a fast, fun, and friendly place to work...but you have to be an advocate for that and help create that environment for your team and customers.

I agree with others that you should be looking for an ETL position, especially in HR considering you have a Psych degree.

Good luck!
 
Imperial10 said:
It's only been about a month of applying, but I'm not even getting to the interview process. I can communicate very effectively and have done great in other interview processes for past jobs. If I get to the Target Interview, I'm very confident in my ability to land the job. Maybe it's something on my resume that Target isn't too impressed by.
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Many districts just are not hiring for ETLs at this moment. Due to recent headcount reductions from last year and the year prior, many are experiencing staffing levels 10+ over headcount. At that point, the application flow from the internship program keeps the staffing strong (since interns HAVE to happen every year, and they always get job offers for the next year so they create a pipeline of ETLs).

I also have a feeling that 2017 is bringing some heavy AE changes again. I think they are starting to copy other retailers more, and focusing more on area over process. Much of the freight is getting worked by the ETL and their team for that specific area, not the ETL-LOG and their team... I think grocery was just the beginning.
 
Rock Lobster said:
Many districts just are not hiring for ETLs at this moment. Due to recent headcount reductions from last year and the year prior, many are experiencing staffing levels 10+ over headcount. At that point, the application flow from the internship program keeps the staffing strong (since interns HAVE to happen every year, and they always get job offers for the next year so they create a pipeline of ETLs).

I also have a feeling that 2017 is bringing some heavy AE changes again. I think they are starting to copy other retailers more, and focusing more on area over process. Much of the freight is getting worked by the ETL and their team for that specific area, not the ETL-LOG and their team... I think grocery was just the beginning.
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Remember when there were "Specialists?" With the recent reduction in TL's, etc and their new huge introduction of "online only" items, I feel it is now, more than every that every department needs at least 1
 
BigEyedPhish said:
Remember when there were "Specialists?" With the recent reduction in TL's, etc and their new huge introduction of "online only" items, I feel it is now, more than every that every department needs at least 1
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I think the point is that everything was getting touched twice. Logistics unloaded and stocked the truck as fast as possible, and then backstocked it and went home. The dayside leaders would then redo it all. Softlines had to rework entire departments, Market has to pull of outdates and dented cans, hardlines has to pull out discontinued again or flex their endcaps etc... At a certain point, you have to ask, is it better to just get everything unloaded and then let everyone work their own freight? Why not just rework the department as you are putting out the z-racks? Why not check for dates and damaged as you stock grocery? Why can't a flexing expert spot the bulk hangers that just came in and make an endcap of them while they are out there? Sure, it may take longer to get any given truck done, but the productivity for the store as a whole would be better.
 
We always pushed our own zracks, back in the day. Worked so much better. And folded rarely made it to the back. Everyone knows that the new colors of a given shirt will go on the current table. Makes me crazy to see them on a backstock tub.
 
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