Archived Could I work AP or protection specialist as a girl?

[Karrera]

I worked for the company for two years in the backroom a while ago. Had to quit because of college.

Recently graduated and want to return. My sister (who worked there for 6 years) keeps pestering me to apply for TL or ETL positions because I now have a degree and worked backroom. I kinda always hated how they would hire leaders with no experience so I'm hesitant to apply for those positions.

However, I'm interested in AP and protection specialist roles. But from what I remember those folks at my store were always burly men. I'm a petite five-foot tall woman who looks like they're 12 even though I'm 26.

There's also an HR team member position open. I'm thinking of playing it safe and going for that. But is it worth applying for the other two?

 

[HRZone]

Not to be rude but this exact question was posted yesterday and is a couple post below yours.

You do not need to be a male to work AP at target my old stores etl AP was a short brunette who looked like Jessica alba.

Target ap is not very hands on but more about confidence, detective work, and surveillance.

So yes go and apply. My store has a TPS who is one of those big burly men you speak of and he sucks and has no idea they are going to performance him out.

 

[HRZone]

There's also an HR team member position open. I'm thinking of playing it safe and going for that.

Just depends what you want to do. Hr translates very well outside of Target but so does ap.

Also while I love HR it's hard on the mental health.

I will suggest you should never just play it safe, if you went to school and got a degree you should aim for the stars rather than settle for some job you will get bored with quickly

 

[Karrera]

Not to be rude but this exact question is on the front page of the board.

You do not need to be a male to work AP at target my old stores etl AP was a short brunette who looked like Jessica alba.

Target ap is not very hands on but more about confidence, detective work, and surveillance.

So yes go and apply. My store has a TPS who is one of those big burly men you speak of and he sucks and has no idea they are going to performance him out.

Ah, I'm sorry! I searched the forum yesterday then did a quick look over before posting just now and didn't see anything. I worked all day so my brain is currently fried

Thank you for the response though! Gave me a lot of clarity

 

[redcardroy]

Karla, being an APS is more about how you can communicate vs. being big and burly. I'm sure On6 and others can give you more of an insight into being an APS. As for my personal opinion, I think being an APS is the most exciting job in the building. However, it's also pretty risky. While Target will provide you with the training and the inhibiting policies, you can't always count on things going as planned, and considering you're not a "security officer" (which in TX would require a license to be able to use weapons in a use of force scenario), there will be times when you'll have to make a quick call for your team's safety and cut people loose.

Simply put, it's not a security position. You'll be apprehending people mostly hands off, and hands on only to a limited extent. You need to have good communication, observation, and patience.

 

[Castagnier]

My store has women in our AP team as both APS and TPS, so I don't see the problem. They consistently outperform and have outlasted many of their male counterparts. And to ramp things up a bit, I'm fairly sure Spot is would be one of the last places to turn you down "because you're a girl". There are a lot of problems here at Spot, but that thankfully isn't one of them.

 

[goingto4]

As a female (and pregnant) TPS with a college degree and aspirations to move up with Target AP, I say if you're interested in a career in loss prevention or fascinated with ORC, go for it! My AP team is made entirely of females and we are consistenly at the top in our district. Sure, there are times we get snide comments about being females, but that makes the apprehensions even better.

I can't say anything about HR as I haven't done it but I can't imagine being anything other than AP.

 

[Pelon1071]

There's also an HR team member position open. I'm thinking of playing it safe and going for that. But is it worth applying for the other two?

Oh that's a hard gig to get into... I've tried twice and still with my HR education, I didn't get in. People take that job quick, and it's usually an internal hire (except on rare occasions like HRZone; who was a rehire) and get comfortable and never leave. At least that's how it is in my area. But if you like HR, or know anything about it, apply for it too if you want.

 

[SFSFun]

People take that job quick, and it's usually an internal hire

The last four at my store were all external.

 

[Planosss]

My store has women in our AP team as both APS and TPS, so I don't see the problem. They consistently outperform and have outlasted many of their male counterparts. And to ramp things up a bit, I'm fairly sure Spot is would be one of the last places to turn you down "because you're a girl". There are a lot of problems here at Spot, but that thankfully isn't one of them.

Well females always outlast their male counterparts!

 

[BigEyedPhish]

my TPS (before they recently quit) was a girl, and did a damn good job.

 

[On6]

Being a female or small will not disqualify you to be in AP but I do think I should address some things for you. You didn't really specify which position, so I'll try to cover a little of everything.

TPS (uniformed security) is entry level. Considering your degree and what the position pays it wouldn't be worth your time, unless you really want to do it.

APS (plain clothes) in most cases requires some sort of prior background in security, preferably loss prevention. With you having no experience it will be hard, but not impossible to get hired as APS. This role is the definition of real LP work.

APTL and ETL AP are roles that you can get hired into without security experience. When applying for ETL you may get placed in AP or some other role, so keep that in mind. Also Target is slowly phasing out the ETL AP role from most stores. So I wouldn't bet on it for a career.

 

[HardlinesGuy]

One thing to clear up...

Target Protection Specialist (blue uniform) and Asset Protection Specialist (plain clothes) as well as leadership are all AP.
TPS = AP but AP =/= TPS

But as others have said, theres no reason not to try it out. AP is one of the best jobs with Target IMO. Theres plenty of bullshit but you get to see and do a lot more than other workcenters

 

[Badjedidude]

Go for it. Several stores in my district have females in the lower ranks of AP. While there are fewer of them, they do just as well as the guys (some do even better and rank near the top of the district).

In my district there are probably more women in the upper roles (ETL-AP and district-level) than in the lower chain of command, per se.

 

[leo443]

I say go for it!!!! I too am a super petite female and would love to do AP. No harm in trying!!

 

[ElectroTarget]

We've got at least one female AP at my store, so, like everybody else said, go for it! If it's something you really want to do give it a shot!

 

[Planosss]

Many reasons, but short answer, NO!

 

[HRZone]

Many reasons, but short answer, NO!

I bet she would be twice the team member you are.

 

[Pale]

Many reasons, but short answer, NO!

 

[anathema]

The best APS' I know were females, honestly. Very good at staying close in softlines.

ETL-AP would be a good first choice, many newbies can get into that role. Hopefully you'd have an APS that you can learn from while you're learning internal work. You should just be comfortable with people fighting as well. While AP is mostly about safety and preventing loss, depending on your market, apprehensions can get physical. If you're okay with all of that, there's no harm in trying.

 

[signingminion]

My mother in law is under 5'5" never stopped her being a kick ass cop. Ap should be a cake walk in comparison.

 

[Kartman]

I hope I never have to fight a cop, but if I did I would prefer a 5'5" female...