Pros
Jcrew is a prestigious brand name and a big Company. HR hires from within the stores up to corporate. There is fluidity to move between departments. Awesome paid time off and benefits. Excellent discount and a dynamic corporate culture.
Cons
The prestige of the brand will enable workers to move elsewhere but brand loyalty means nothing in terms of development. Getting into the company is like getting into the FBI- 10+ interviews Over months to be presented with an opening salary. Once your in the company the rest is up to you. You need to fight to get any acknowledgement or recognition. Veterans of the company are so set in their ways that any new hire is competition. Management and HR alike encourage you to do you job, take on more responsibility, work longer hours and never be compensated. The squad program is jcrews version of a training program to which the associate signs a 1 year contract to try four different roles and after a year convert into one of the four full time. However, jCrew uses this as glorified interns, working the associate for 2+ years in roles that don't formally exist with no light at the end of the tunnel