DSW Reviews

I have been working at DSW part-time for less than a year

Pros – Company values employees' opinions and suggestions
Family-like atmosphere
No competitiveness between associates

Cons – Wish the employee discount was 50% off for regular prices shoes, not just 30% off.
Employees can't be a part of DSW Rewards.

Advice to Senior Management – It'd be cool if the store management could provide more food options for the employees.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

I have been working at DSW full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – DSW's customers are exceptional--they are passionate about shoes and fashion. As a result, DSW's customers become passionate about DSW. DSW engages its customers really well in stores, online, in social media and spreads the "shoe love." I love talking to new people and dropping that I work for DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse--the reactions are delightful.

Cons – DSW is still growing up: It went public in 2005 and replaced/add mast all of its senior management at that time. Now, management is really hitting its stride. However, like other organizations, DSW struggles with bringing about change and improvements in business practices. Also, internal professional development is good, but still a work-in-progress.

Advice to Senior Management – Stay strong on reinforcing DSW's company values--lead by example. Be willing to keep investing in growing and training new and developing managers.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

I worked at DSW part-time for less than a year

Pros – Very flexible with scheduling, the team I worked with was very friendly and attentive. I'm very satisfied with my experience working here.

Cons – Extended hours can be misleading, and the hours aren't great. There will be times where you'll work only 8-12 hours a week.

Advice to Senior Management – Offer some sales associates full-time positions.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at DSW part-time for less than a year

Pros – Great product, great coworkers, easy work

Cons – Occasional grumpy customers that come in

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at DSW part-time for more than a year

Pros – Fun work environment, well-organized, sufficient pay for a part-time job, high involvement with customers

Cons – Hours were not consistent, some managers did not speak or act professional to their employees or customers and were not respectful

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at DSW part-time for more than a year

Pros – The managers are great to work with by being enthusiastic and very informative. Also, there are fun ways (and rewards) to work towards sales goals.

Cons – During the week the store is not very busy so hours are slow, but it definitely picks up throughout the weekend.

Advice to Senior Management – What would be helpful to associates is if we could have more product knowledge. Such as, which shoe brands are better for different situations.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

I have been working at DSW part-time for more than a year

Pros – Company Review:

I've worked at DSW for a little over two years and have never had a serious complaint about this employer. They are huge on making sure that everyone is on the same page and communicate well with their employees. They hold mandatory, yet unique and interactive quarterly meetings that help associates learn about fashion trends and new store product, discuss sales goals, company news, competitions and community service actions, recognize the performance of store teams/associates/districts and also express individual store concerns. This, I believe, makes them a very popular store in the areas they are located. People enjoy the DSW experience. They're huge on customer service and making the customer happy and that makes the job pretty easy.

>Short shifts
>Healthy employee discount
>Flexible scheduling
>Opportunity for advancement

Store/Personal Review:

A coworker and I were just talking about how many different personalities we work with. It was hilarious! I absolutely love working in such a diverse place. If you ever go into DSW and listen to their music that is exactly the kind of people they hire...all kinds! At my job it's mostly college students, and discount-scouting fashionistas that pick up shifts after the real job is through paying the bills. I have the coolest managers who work with us and our schedules. Laid back work environment during the week and busy on those weekends and around the gift-giving holidays is what I've experienced in this North Carolina area.
I was trained with two people for just about a week or so when I first started and then I was told what to do from then. I picked up on things about the store, company, and shoes/products with time and by asking questions and watching other associates. One of my co-workers decided to train me on the register. Its simple.
Working with customers is simple.
Getting sign-ups is simple to some and not a strong suite for others; it doesn't count against you or effect your employment.

>Able to switch/pick-up/give-up shifts
>Fun/relaxed place to work
>Easy
>Diverse!

If you like talking to people, being able to dress fashionably at work, find it entertaining hearing about a customer's date night, wedding party, prom gown, white party, black party, business event, workout plan, doctor's orders, or accessory question...if you can deal with people from all walks of life, or needy customers yet really friendly people...if you are looking for part-time employment, can follow a simple dress code and be on time, DSW could possibly be perfect for you.

Cons – Company/Personal Review:

>Inconsistent schedule
>Meetings ( 4x/year )
>Usually work less than 20 [scheduled] hours a week
>Changed payday from every Friday to every other Friday
>Could pay a little more or have longer shifts
>Attendance/Tardy points that effect your employment

Advice to Senior Management – Give employees the opportunity to have a Rewards membership

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

I worked at DSW part-time for more than a year

Pros – -decent pay
-relaxed return policy to enforce
-great with scheduling around personal events

Cons – -obsessed and nasty about rewards program
-strict
-dumb policies
-brand meetings
-inexperienced managers
-posted schedules the day before the week started

Advice to Senior Management – Hire people who have graduated high school, or actually know what they are doing.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

I have been working at DSW part-time for more than 3 years

Pros – The people that they hire are usually amazing and all of the associates work well together and get along quite well. Plus the discount is a good amount which makes a little difference.

Cons – The entire management team at all of the stores I've been at, are overall power drunk. You will end up doing tons of work while it seems they are either just standing around watching, or sitting in the office doing nothing. All while having you do all of the dirty work. And their rewards program is pushed way too much and makes it stressful to ring, making eight hour shifts frustrating. Also, you are usually given a role and will not move from that position.

Advice to Senior Management – In order to become America's Favorite Place to Work (AFPW), try to figure out what makes the associates happy and unhappy and go from there.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I worked at DSW part-time for more than a year

Pros – Employee discount is quite good

Cons – lack of growth, lack of opportunity to take on new task

Advice to Senior Management – associates need room for growth

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend