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FeastCoast
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Quote FeastCoast Replybullet Topic: Can some work experience be bad?
    Posted: 22 Aug 2007 at 3:21pm

     I've been interviewing with a popular apparel company for a manager in training position where I will learn to run all aspects of a retail business. The tasks of the job seem exciting, challenging, and can help me to gain valuable management experience, but my dilemma is that I don't really agree with the way the company promotes itself. They exploit the surfing and skateboarding lifestyle to attract what I see as a "wannabe" type crowd to their products. (hint: co. name starts with an H and ends with an R and is associated with "prettyboys").
    
My questions are:
Am I being immature about this? 

Should I suck it up and take the job, facing the fact that this is often a standard business practice?

*****Can experience working in a store like this actually hurt my chances when I apply in the future to a more core shop?
(i.e. I'll be considered a sell out in a sense because this co. doesn't sponsor any pros, events, or donate to environmental preservation, they just use the image to their advantage not actually benefiting the industry in anyway)*****

Or do brands like this benefit the industry?

Part of me says focus on the tasks and take advantage of the opportunity, the other part says  go with your gut and look elsewhere because you will probably be thinking of this every time your at work resulting in quitting.

If I'm going to work here I need a new perspective. All feedback is helpful.

Thanks

    

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Buzzy
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Quote Buzzy Replybullet Posted: 22 Aug 2007 at 5:08pm
I have developed products for those guys.  I think its a great opportunity to learn a new culture of retail.  From the back end view, they have amazing growth plans and you could see yourself growing right along with them.  My trips to Ohio to work with them have always been great.
 
Dont forget, lots of hard core surf and skaters still shop that brand.  They would never admit to it, but they have been in the stores, even if it is just to check out the girls that are shopping there.
 
No one on this board would ever admit to it...but I think you should take the job.  A brand is a brand.  I think working for any brand can help you in the future as opposed to an HR guy asking you "What kind of company was that?"
 
One more point...the ones who slam you for selling out on this site...they are also the ones on this site looking for work.  Makes good sense not to follow, but to lead.


Edited by Buzzy - 22 Aug 2007 at 5:09pm
Buzzy...
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FeastCoast
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Quote FeastCoast Replybullet Posted: 22 Aug 2007 at 6:59pm
Thanks Buzzy I appreciate your post
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Deaddevilman
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Quote Deaddevilman Replybullet Posted: 22 Aug 2007 at 9:09pm
Do it. Learn what works for them and what doesn't. If you're not learning in a job, you're not growing.
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jbhitman
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Quote jbhitman Replybullet Posted: 24 Aug 2007 at 3:26pm
Once upon a life- I was in a retail environment.  Attrition rate in that industry is nearly 40%.  These major powers would poach from the other company just because.  I wouldn't be too afraid of having the competition on your resume.  What matters is YOU, and YOUR experiences.  Maybe that "poser" company is looking to move away from it- maybe the opposite the other way.

Leadership and solution creation is key there, whether in company A or B!  Plus- nothing serves better education than getting paid for it.

Good luck- a jobs a job mate!
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FeastCoast
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Quote FeastCoast Replybullet Posted: 25 Aug 2007 at 8:08pm
Thanks guys, all good stuff.
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aivanne
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Quote aivanne Replybullet Posted: 26 Aug 2007 at 6:27pm
only if you worked for Enron.
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badcorebubbles
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Quote badcorebubbles Replybullet Posted: 14 Sep 2007 at 2:21pm
I was actually a Store Manager for that company for a year until about a month ago, and there are some really awesome things about working for them, and some not so awesome.
 
Awesome:
-great entry-level apparel experience, even if its at the retail level
-ability to move up quickly in company if you have good work ethic; I was an MIT for 1.5 months, had my own store in 4 months.
-young, FUN environment, flexible hours
-cool discount
-pays pretty well for retail management
 
Not so awesome:
-common things associated with retail: working nights and weekends, some late hours
-promotion may require relocation and some commuting
 
The job is really great if it fits your personality. I don't know if you have made a decision about this yet, but don't be afraid to ask the district manager or any store manager lots of questions about the company and the job itself. If you are worried about the "poser" image, don't be because the fact of the matter is that the umbrella company is a multi-billion dollar corporation for a reason. They really do have a unique product and a unique marketing technique that makes them so succesful.
 
I think the most important thing to remember is you would be gaining experience in PEOPLE MANAGEMENT with the apparel industry. So, if other kinds of management interest you then it is perfect. They also have a Visual Assistant Manager position once you finish training, that you could use as direct experience for merchandising. I hope I helped! Good luck!
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danaR
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Quote danaR Replybullet Posted: 25 Apr 2008 at 12:54pm
Hey FeastCoast, was wondering if you ended up taking the job or not....Give us an update!
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Kathleen
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Quote Kathleen Replybullet Posted: 20 Aug 2008 at 8:51am
Originally posted by jbhitman

I wouldn't be too afraid of having the competition on your resume.

I know this is an old thread but this made me laugh, not in a bad way. Having competitors on your resume is a STRENGTH, lol. The more, the merrier! First it shows you're dedicated to a given facet of the industry, you obviously prefer it. Second, you're bringing lots of tacit knowledge from past employers that will be highly useful to your future employers. Third, with a track record in the niche, you're easy to check up on; everybody knows everybody so you're likely to be a known quantity and determines whether you'll be invited for an interview.

I've worked for two specific competing companies in the past, either one of which guarantees an interview at any company assuming there's an opening.  With both of them, it's a slam dunk. I've gotten any job I've ever applied for. That could also be due to #3 above so it helps to be competent. Most of my "interviews" have been over the phone and focused on parameters of the job, salary and start date. Technology being what it is today, I've only met one of my employers in the past ten years, doing everything from here. Good thing too, there's no jobs around here.
~Nurture people, not products~
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