The Kool-Aid is strong - but not that good
Pros
Great TRAINING (not development); better than average pay for prime-timers; rather relaxed work environment (no "visit" preparation, etc); high caliber full-timers and prime-timers; "busy" times don't follow typical retail patterns - often can take time off during times other retailers would "blackout"
Cons
Very much a "cult" like belief in what they preach....however, at the end of the day, it's not much different than any other retail job (especially for a manager - where the pay is no better than anywhere else and the bonus is potential is worse); the culture of communication is a bit skewed.. The company "expects" credit and kudos for things everyone else already does - and when they introduce something as "new" and employee first, they present it like its's the greatest thing since sliced bread - and expect you to communicate how "great" the idea is.... Examples of things they don't do that other places DO do - 11 month wait period for 401k; expensive health benefits, they tell you that they have all these "great" holidays - like "we give employees their birthday as a company paid holiday" - which IS true, but they don't give you Memorial Day or Labor Day as one... So, bottom line is they give just as many holidays as anyplace else does, but they market it like they are this "holier than thou" place; there is virtually no upward mobility beyond a store manager or general manager..... Do not confuse TRAINING with development - because they do.. I was told the reason they have no "leadership development" program like a Target or Wal-Mart is because they hire those people from those places to fill open positions - so don't be fooled by their 10% growth pitch - it's not going to result in upward mobility for you; I personally was told to tell a prime timer with little management experience to "go somewhere else and get a few years of management experience then come back and see us"... A PRETTY arrogant thing to tell a young, college educated person that has worked for you for 4 years - and shows tremendous leadership potentially.... I can only believe they TRULY believe they are THAT different in culture (and they're not)... Had I gone that route - TCS would've never seen me again because there are plenty of retailers with great culture, benefits, training, AND DEVELOPMENT out there... How's that for employee first... The real culture is "get people in a position at which they excel, pay them well, and leave them there for a LONG, LONG time"... So, if that's something that appeals to you, this is your place.... But be prepared to tell them how great their "old" ideas are (they introduced a flex spending debit card this year to great fan fare and accolades - yet, I had a flex spending debit card 7 years ago... In fact, when I started, this was one of the first places that didn't have one... But when it was rolled out, you would've believed they came up with the idea)..
