Archived TM to ETL?

[IcePeasant]

Not necessarily click-bait lol.

Hi everyone,
My current ETL has been given the wonderful task of my talent management. My target journey so far has been short but eventful. In two and a half years from regular team member to senior team leader, and now being developed for ETL.

I’m currently developing one of my TMs to be TL, potentially my backfill for my department & one of my fellow peers who has expressed interest in moving up from TL.

My questions are mainly from people who have experienced moving up from TL to ETL. I have seen examples of where these have and have not happened. I’m curious as to what this would be like. I personally did not get an interview for SR, just a sit down and offered. ASANTS and this is why I want to see what I could expect. I know some of this may be very broad, so I’ll give some background about myself without giving myself away too much.

I am a very hard worker and genuinely care about the well being of my workcenter and the store. I love learning and was always willing to learn any and everything, in result, am crosstrained in every department and can run any department. That being said, I am spread thin majority of my days I work, even as LOD. My opportunities would probably be me being confident in my own judgements. Pessimistic is probably a good description of me towards myself. I can hear praise from Others and such regarding my performance and work, yet I’ll still see and point out what could have gone better or what I could’ve done which could have turned out better in my eyes. It’s something I have always done, something I need to learn to change in myself where I’m not criticizing but challenging.

Now the questions.... if you made it this far, thanks lol

- What were the interviews like?
- Does it matter if there’s a degree related?
- What would you say development wise is some general things that I should be doing if not already? (metrics, talent management/development, etc)
-Does exposure really matter? I don’t “flaunt” my accomplishments or take credit for other’s work, I tend to be modest. I realized that this can be hindering at times. I have been a part of many important walks with important people, but flaunting or taking credit from others is not who I am.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Your Etl is your mentor. We have several members, who started as tm & were Etl with spot. Some of them, left.
@LearningTree
@sigma7
@HRZone

You will get the job.

 

[Not My Name]

I went from photo lab/guest service (7 months) -> Cash Office specialist (3 months) -> GSTL (2.5 years), to Hardlines TL (~6 months), -> Flow TL (2 years), -> Backroom/Instocks TL (1 year), -> Senior Logistics TL (3 years of flow, backroom, instocks etc), -> ETL Logistics (9 months)... before I walked out... all without a degree.

- Interviews were with the STL(informal), the DTL, and the Group Lead or Group HR. The interviews were pretty standard Target format. Tell me about yourself, blah blah... then they read questions in a guide in which they are looking for as high of scope answers as you can possibly give. If they want you to ever get a position, they're going to give you the questions ahead of time. Your STL can make this happen and maybe even someone in HR.
- Degrees were essentially "mandatory" for years upon years but I do believe they've softened on that quite a bit if you're an internal. In particular, if there is a dire need and everyone filling that position keeps failing, they will definitely promote you without a degree. That is going to be entirely the STL and DTL trying to push you up. The DTL is the one pushing you, ultimately... as far as degree relevancy to the job goes... it's essentially... irrelevant. I had an ETL HR that had a degree in Marine Biology... just saying... Target just wants to see the piece of paper. They don't give a shit what it pertains to. Maybe high up in the company they do, but not as an ETL.
- This third question is really a question for your STL or some ETL in the building that is willing to give you honest feedback. Ask for the honest feedback, don't take it personally, and use it as an opportunity to improve. But honestly probably what you should be doing to prove that you're capable of handling that role is trying to impact your peers and your supervisors in a positive way... essentially you leading them... I'm not saying you need to act like you're their boss, but you do need to be making everyone in a leadership position in the building feel your positive impact, imo. Trying to lead when you're not their boss is a tricky tightrope to walk, but it can be done.
- Nobody is going to toot your own horn. If you're really, really good... your results are going to speak for themselves. But you're kidding yourself if you think you're going to continue to advance in any company solely and explicitly based off of merit. You have to rub elbows with people that can get you there. I'm not saying be fake or to lie or anything of that nature, but if you think you're just going to keep your mouth shut 100% of the time, come in and bust your ass and still keep promoting... no way. Exposure matters. You won't get promoted if nobody knows who the hell you are or what you are doing.

On a dead ass serious no bullshit note... don't do it. Do something else with your life. Target used to be a great company to work for and it's definitely not terrible still... there are far worse jobs out there. But the stress is not worth the pay. If you give a damn about doing a good job at all, you are going to progressively realize that you will be fighting an uphill battle for the duration of your stay with Target unless you are able to promote outside of stores at which point politics really matter, along with results. Target is shooting itself in the head right now and that's going to continue for some time as they try to push up minimum wage while cutting back payroll only to hopefully for their sake at some point come to the realization that if you pay them $5 an hour or $500 an hour, the stores are going to look like shit if you don't have bodies doing the work... but by that time it'll probably be too late.

I was working upwards of 80+ hours a week in an $80 million a year store when I quit and it was just too much. The STL was the biggest dickhead I've ever met in my life and I was his 4th Logistics ETL in 2 years time, with me lasting the longest before I said fuck it and walked out after having fixed his broken location accuracy and catching many team members, my own and not my own, fucking up things in the backroom... it was never good enough for the guy. That's just how he chose to lead. However, dickhead STL aside, even if I was working 55 or 60 hours a week, it still would have sucked. I punched a clock at 40 hours a week for 10 years... obviously different people are different, but giving up the ability to walk away and leaving the stress behind after 40 hours a week is something that was very difficult for myself personally, looking back. I honestly think I would have been happiest working 32 hours a week, but certainly no more than 40.

 

[IcePeasant]

I went from photo lab/guest service (7 months) -> Cash Office specialist (3 months) -> GSTL (2.5 years), to Hardlines TL (~6 months), -> Flow TL (2 years), -> Backroom/Instocks TL (1 year), -> Senior Logistics TL (3 years of flow, backroom, instocks etc), -> ETL Logistics (9 months)... before I walked out... all without a degree.

- Interviews were with the STL(informal), the DTL, and the Group Lead or Group HR. The interviews were pretty standard Target format. Tell me about yourself, blah blah... then they read questions in a guide in which they are looking for as high of scope answers as you can possibly give. If they want you to ever get a position, they're going to give you the questions ahead of time. Your STL can make this happen and maybe even someone in HR.
- Degrees were essentially "mandatory" for years upon years but I do believe they've softened on that quite a bit if you're an internal. In particular, if there is a dire need and everyone filling that position keeps failing, they will definitely promote you without a degree. That is going to be entirely the STL and DTL trying to push you up. The DTL is the one pushing you, ultimately... as far as degree relevancy to the job goes... it's essentially... irrelevant. I had an ETL HR that had a degree in Marine Biology... just saying... Target just wants to see the piece of paper. They don't give a shit what it pertains to. Maybe high up in the company they do, but not as an ETL.
- This third question is really a question for your STL or some ETL in the building that is willing to give you honest feedback. Ask for the honest feedback, don't take it personally, and use it as an opportunity to improve. But honestly probably what you should be doing to prove that you're capable of handling that role is trying to impact your peers and your supervisors in a positive way... essentially you leading them... I'm not saying you need to act like you're their boss, but you do need to be making everyone in a leadership position in the building feel your positive impact, imo. Trying to lead when you're not their boss is a tricky tightrope to walk, but it can be done.
- Nobody is going to toot your own horn. If you're really, really good... your results are going to speak for themselves. But you're kidding yourself if you think you're going to continue to advance in any company solely and explicitly based off of merit. You have to rub elbows with people that can get you there. I'm not saying be fake or to lie or anything of that nature, but if you think you're just going to keep your mouth shut 100% of the time, come in and bust your ass and still keep promoting... no way. Exposure matters. You won't get promoted if nobody knows who the hell you are or what you are doing.

On a dead ass serious no bullshit note... don't do it. Do something else with your life. Target used to be a great company to work for and it's definitely not terrible still... there are far worse jobs out there. But the stress is not worth the pay. If you give a damn about doing a good job at all, you are going to progressively realize that you will be fighting an uphill battle for the duration of your stay with Target unless you are able to promote outside of stores at which point politics really matter, along with results. Target is shooting itself in the head right now and that's going to continue for some time as they try to push up minimum wage while cutting back payroll only to hopefully for their sake at some point come to the realization that if you pay them $5 an hour or $500 an hour, the stores are going to look like shit if you don't have bodies doing the work... but by that time it'll probably be too late.

I was working upwards of 80+ hours a week in an $80 million a year store when I quit and it was just too much. The STL was the biggest dickhead I've ever met in my life and I was his 4th Logistics ETL in 2 years time, with me lasting the longest before I said fuck it and walked out after having fixed his broken location accuracy and catching many team members, my own and not my own, fucking up things in the backroom... it was never good enough for the guy. That's just how he chose to lead. However, dickhead STL aside, even if I was working 55 or 60 hours a week, it still would have sucked. I punched a clock at 40 hours a week for 10 years... obviously different people are different, but giving up the ability to walk away and leaving the stress behind after 40 hours a week is something that was very difficult for myself personally, looking back. I honestly think I would have been happiest working 32 hours a week, but certainly no more than 40.

I’ve definitely thought about multiple scenarios going through after I completed my projects. Transferring, quitting, LOA just to pursue other opportunities because of personal happiness and for a less stressful life. STL at my house is alright. Not the best, not the worst. Had an internal get no interviews or anything, which made me think of I wanted to be under this leadership; my view changed about a month or two after certain someones left.
I always ask about my opportunities to leadership, and it’s always something I like improving on, always like learning new things and processes about the store. I do try to lead the other leaders and give advice and try to problem solve for my house. That’s a whole other thread and it’ll probably give myself away.
As far as promotions, I let my actions speak for themselves and I speak up when it’s time. Not saying I go up and say “give me ___ position/promotion”. When my position opened up, a peer emailed leadership on why they should be promoted. I simply asked for a raise in return for the work I’ve done, do, and will continue to do, got stalled almost two months of “next week”. In return I got promoted after completing the task of running my project. I will say the project allowed myself to open up even more with my communication and be even more stern with my house, gave myself opportunities I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t, and make connections with not only others in Target, but other companies as well.
As far as degree, I’m nearly there, but I have education on a small hiatus. Not to say that I won’t go back and finish, just my project took up almost 100% of this year and under specific circumstances, I wouldn’t have been able to complete it while running the project.
I was given other opportunities, but for my goal, I declined as it wasn’t a necessary stepping stone for my path. I would have been successful in that role, but I didn’t want to go back where I came from, saw it as a step backwards.

 

[Planosss]

I’ve definitely thought about multiple scenarios going through after I completed my projects. Transferring, quitting, LOA just to pursue other opportunities because of personal happiness and for a less stressful life. STL at my house is alright. Not the best, not the worst. Had an internal get no interviews or anything, which made me think of I wanted to be under this leadership; my view changed about a month or two after certain someones left.
I always ask about my opportunities to leadership, and it’s always something I like improving on, always like learning new things and processes about the store. I do try to lead the other leaders and give advice and try to problem solve for my house. That’s a whole other thread and it’ll probably give myself away.
As far as promotions, I let my actions speak for themselves and I speak up when it’s time. Not saying I go up and say “give me ___ position/promotion”. When my position opened up, a peer emailed leadership on why they should be promoted. I simply asked for a raise in return for the work I’ve done, do, and will continue to do, got stalled almost two months of “next week”. In return I got promoted after completing the task of running my project. I will say the project allowed myself to open up even more with my communication and be even more stern with my house, gave myself opportunities I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t, and make connections with not only others in Target, but other companies as well.
As far as degree, I’m nearly there, but I have education on a small hiatus. Not to say that I won’t go back and finish, just my project took up almost 100% of this year and under specific circumstances, I wouldn’t have been able to complete it while running the project.
I was given other opportunities, but for my goal, I declined as it wasn’t a necessary stepping stone for my path. I would have been successful in that role, but I didn’t want to go back where I came from, saw it as a step backwards.

Will you give yourself a pat on the back on my behalf, when you are done patting yourself.

 

[IcePeasant]

Will you give yourself a pat on the back on my behalf, when you are done patting yourself.

Copy, Give me a minute I’m with a guest.

 

[Planosss]

Copy, Give me a minute I’m with a guest.

What do you mean¿