Pros
Working as a Store Manager can be extremely rewarding. The District of store managers that I worked with was great and the atmosphere we created was one of sharing information and fun. I had worked for Hallmark for 5 plus years from a Sales associate to Store Manager. So my experience of coming through the ranks was rewarding, but at times frustrating. They have high expectations for the store look and product placement, but if your idea is for a visual set up is better then usually you can do it. They do allow managers to have quite a bit of freedom of design and ways to relate to your local shoppers, but have big expectation as a result of that freedom. The company is moving in a new direction that will make them more current, they are also using less vendor products in store and more of their own collection. So hopefully, this new direction will result in better store and management. Overall, it is a great company to work for, just don't let yourself get burnt out.
Cons
- They change the way they expect the store to be set up frequently and are not always clear on what they really want in store (because they don't actually know yet). - They do not usually promote from within ( i.e. from Key holder to Store Manager, I actually left the company and then came back as a store manager within 6 months of my leaving the company). - There is no assistant manager position and Key Holders are expected to act as mini ones. - They are still working out some of the kinks of going from a set hours given to a system of hours based on what you are expected to make that day. - Stores in the Malls are not doing as well, so if you work in one expect to have to figure out ways to attract more customers in. - I took how work frequently with me, but that could just be how I am. Many managers I know have gotten burnt out because they stay late often or bring work home frequently.
