Nordstrom Reviews

Pros

you will learn a lot about the high fashion industry.

will meet other great individuals that you may have things in common with.

get to see the nice clothes that come in and out the store...

that's about it :(

Cons

immature, rude, and inconsistent department managers.

having to constantly look over my shoulder.

over the top micromanagement!

over working to earn little of nothing.

Advice to Senior Management

listen and support your team no matter what department you manage.

Pros

The name Nordstrom itself is incentive to enjoy working for this company and I enjoy the customers that believe in the quality of Nordstrom-both customer service and product. I get to meet and interact with many of my former peers and clients from my former career as a lawyer within the financial sector. I felt appreciated by my customers if not by Nordstrom itself.

Cons

Naturally anyone who has ever worked retail should be aware of the hours and slow months. At Nordstrom though this inverted pyramid and the return policy that can punish the sales associate for up to a year after a sale is insane. I heard over and over that the only return policy we have is that there is no return policy--ouch! The discount of 20% for new associates until you reach (if ever) a level of 33% is still below many competitor's employee discount level. I actually appreciate my discount and go to Nordstrom Rack to utilize it to its fullest extent which pulls from class"A" stores whereas I work at a lower level store. Do not trust the "protect the sale" as many commissioned associates will naturally not abide--it is human nature. Nor fall into the fallacy that there is an open door policy or that there is no recrimination if you have an issue that you take to management--just be careful of who you speak with for it will inevitably come back to you and you will find yourself transferred to another department at a whim.

Advice to Senior Management

Nordstrom--do not let your reputation be tarnished. I sincerely hope that you have someone monitoring these boards and pay attention to what is being said. Having an MBA and JD this really was just a position I seeked out to stay active and interact with people and continue to network and bring my unique qualities to Nordstrom after retiring from my former position and travelling. The training was 3 days--long and tiring but promoted this inverted pyramid business plan that incites you to establish loyalty etc etc ad nauseam. I went onto the sales floor after training with the attitude that I would network and establish a personal book only to be told that I spent too much time with customers and needed to turn them over much faster. Looking back I now realize that actually Holiday associates were over hired with the sole purpose of turning over sales but would be no longer necessary after the holidays. Therefor why bother with training us on the personal book or the emphasis on establishing relationships? I applied for the holidays with the intent of staying on which I have and have been transferred from a department that I was thriving in and building a personal book of loyal customers when I was suddenly hit with a hit and run by my manager who obviously felt I was a threat to this new "personal stylist" way of doing business at Nordstrom 2012. I am still amazed at the way the commissions must be structured however I remain as I still enjoy the interaction with my customers but at this point in my life this is not a career for me but merely a diversion which considering my professionalism is rare and should be welcomed by Nordstrom. I have the luxury of walking out the door at any time which keeps things in perpective for me but from a management standpoint I am appalled.

Pros

Discounts, other employees, considered a higher end retail company, health benefits

Cons

To many managers overestimated their importance. Many would not be able to succeed in corporate America.

Advice to Senior Management

Do not stifle your employees. In today's tight job market - more qualified and talented people who would normally not apply or work for Nordstrom due to the horrific hours and the fact that it is retail - are working for the company. Take advantage of that. Make sure you move these people quickly "down the pyramid". Do not just talk the talk, but put actions to the words. Middle management is stifling growth. To move in middle management you have to be friends with someone. One person can stop the growth of a qualified individual. Allow people to move throughout the company with ease or your great people will leave.

Pros

-Great insurance benefits
-Other fun benefits (free merchandise, cash bonuses, etc.)
-Very cooperative Human Resources department at every store I've worked at.
-Mangement is only promoted from within the company
-VERY distinct company culture, and great reputation
-Exceeding expectations as a salesperson will actually get you more money (commission pay)
-Very generous with base manager salary (depending on the pay band associated with the area).
-Innovative company that is changing rapidly to meet customer wants and needs.
-The Nordstrom brothers are good people that should rub off on store level management.

Cons

-Very emotional work environment.
-Some managers seem to be promoted based on looks or friendships.
-If you are not a people person this is the worst place to work.
-Despite talking of a good work/life balance, manager's are obligated to work overtime if they want to accomplish everything
-Taking time off means taking returns while you're not at work, which means your performance is negatively affected.
-You have to jump through hoops to fire even bad employees.
-Because it's so hard to fire employees, if your manager doesn't like you they'll make your day to day life miserable.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more professional and stop with the cattiness.

Pros

good customers, products carried high quality, sufficient in store training. new product arrives daily along with good replenishment. discount could be better but being able to use at Rack is good.

Cons

co workers awful especially in certain departments. constant fighting over customers. Managers not always faif with their scheduleing. 20% discount not good enough.

Advice to Senior Management

payscale should be better. employees making lots of money for the company. employee discount could be better. high turnover of employees could be slowed if employees could have better schedules> most people I know work lots of long days - evening shift of 1 to close is outrageous. we come in at 1, store closes at 930 and we generally don't get out of there till 1030. Much too long for most but for many this is a regular shift.

Pros

Positive atmosphere !! Friendly customers. Beautiful enviornment to be in !

Cons

Its almost as if all of the management and employees have been brainwashed into the same way of thinking, into taking the same actions, and to live in a world of rose tinted glasses.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop hiring these little girls to be managers and put some real professionals in your departments

Pros

The customers are always nice. Co-workers are very helpful and sometimes you learn to bond with them. The commission can always be good when you know how to sell

Cons

The salary can be low. If a customer returns something, it is docked from your paycheck. The interview process was a bit difficult at first.

Advice to Senior Management

Management should be more open to helping new sale associates. Make sure every sales associates understand what the sales goal is.

Pros

Ability to make your own paycheck through commission

Cons

Too much competition between coworkers that causes tension in the workplace

Pros

The hours are reasonable. Co-workers are generally pleasant.

Cons

Commissions from product returns are deducted from your paycheck. I actually had days that I earned negative income.

Advice to Senior Management

Shoe sales deserves a better commission structure. It's exhausting.

Pros

A company that truly cares about its employees.
Totally different way of doing things from other retailers.
Higher compensation compared to other retailers.

Cons

Health insurance could be better and cheaper.

Advice to Senior Management

Work on a better health insurance package.