Pros
This review is for Uniqlo's UMC program. - The UMC program offers an accelerated and intensive retail experience. *If you have never worked in retail, this is the great place to start. In 6 months, you will learn all the ins and outs of retail store operations. - Uniqlo is rapidly expanding and it offers a lot of good career opportunities. *As a rapidly growing company, Uniqlo offers a lot of good career opportunities for their employees to grow and excel. - The job is relatively easy, not a lot of mental stress. Even on the store manager level, very little analytical & quantitive skills are required for the job (not sure whether this is a pro or con). *Not a pro for me.
Cons
- Too much politics/power playing among inexperienced young managers. *You have to know how to play their game and play it well to move forward in this program. - The current UMC program has no set structure. *Uniqlo is working on a structured training program for its future manager candidates. It would be much better when that program is in place. - No set working schedule & late hours & overnights. *If you trainers like you and you get on their good side, they will give you good hours or else be prepared to come out at earliest by 11:00pm for at least 3 out of 5 days a week. - Bad compensation and benefits. * I was sent to other Uniqlo locations that took up more than 1 hour to travel outside my normal commuting time and I was not reimbursed of any form of travel compensation. I don't think the management is fully aware how bad this type of practice looks on an established big retailer like Uniqlo. In the long run, the little money they save does far more damage to the company's image and reputation. - There are certain individuals who professionalism and integrity are highly questionable. If that person turns out to be your direct trainer, then your fate is sealed. *Two days after I submitted my resignation letter to the HR. Someone from the management's level, edited my weekly schedule to make it seem like I did not show up on time for work for my last two days at Uniqlo. I knew then my decision to quit was so right.