Pros
Like I tell people when they ask, Nordstrom's Retail Management Program had to be one of the best job experiences I've had in my life thus far. Why? Because it groomed me in a way that I feel other jobs may have not been able to. Each Intern is assigned to a department, we shadow the manager. We attend manager and area meetings (with the other stores), we even get have dinner/lunch with the Nordstrom Brothers (atleast one of them). The program exposes you to all the facets of a major retailer- buying, visual merchandising, hr, lp (security), personal shopping, restaurant, etc etc. So there is so much you can learn. After working here my wardrobe got 100% better and I was already known as great dresser, but since it's high end retail you learn alot about designers. As an intern you get paid a base pay of about $10/hr when you are off in meetings and training, then you get paid commission when you work the floor in your assigned department. The commission for each department is different... ranging from about 5% to 11% (I sorta forgot the exact figures, I do remember the highest being kids shoes, I think most of the departments are about 5.6 or 6.5%)). If you're in college I would advise you to join the intern program over just being an associate because you'll learn more, get paid more, and will have a better opportunity at quickly advancing. The program is for the summer and you must apply by February. Other pros: The company culture is fantastic- people are nice, we care alot about our customers, its a good environment. I liked there dresscode, you just have be well-dressed (for high end retail) and look nice and appropriate for your department. I love my clientele because they were usually affluent executives and such-- being that I was in a ritzy part of Atlanta. Being in the program you get to bond with other great college students and you can make life long friends.
Cons
Long hours- that's how retail is in general though. If you aren't a great salesperson than you may not get paid that well... its commission so the more you sale the more you get paid. For me the education requirement at Nordstrom is a con... obviously for the program you have to be in college, but in general to work there you don't per se need it- which is cool, buuut I feel like people with related education should be considered for assistant manager positions more quickly. Maybe they are, but I'm not sure. And from what I read they need to pay the assistant managers and managers more. Also, the telemarketing- calling clients is sort of annoying. I understand we have to build relationships with clients, but I was Very uncomfortable calling people... I think this should be reserved for personal shoppers only. SIDENOTE: Nordstrom is the kind of store that you can excel at if you know many people who will shop at Nordstrom... basically I'm saying if your friends shop their and your parents friends shop their and your family shops there- then this place is perfect because they can just all shop under you.... which will make you money and make you look good to management. If you know many members at your church will shop there, you know stuff like that... The company recently downsized and cut out most of the assistant manager positions, and they're currently firing more quickly... if you dont sale then you're out... thats what I recently heard...