Disney Store Manager

[Dopey19]

I hope someone can assist me and I'm sorry if I'm posting in the wrong area, I don't know where this would be applicable.

I'm considering a career change, for the past 11 years I've been an office manager/bookkeeper. I work in the Housing Industry market and as we are all aware that market is very slow. The stress of impending doom is getting to me and I need a fresh start. I'm considering working for the Disney Store, I have a two year old so I would actually prefer an nontraditional work schedule to allow more time for my husband and I too spend time with her instead of her in daycare.

My question is - I keep reading that to apply for the Disney Store you just walk in and ask for an application but I would like to apply for a management position. Is the procedure still the same or is there a place where I can mail my resume and Letter of Interest? Any help or advice is appreciated. Also any insight as to what the management payscale is would be appreciated as well.

 

[nytimez]

I can't help you with the process... but people in retail are living in their own atmosphere of impending doom right now as well. I'm not saying don't go for it -- just keep your expectations realistic. Also, remember that working for the Mouse is a very different experience than being a fan/customer.

 

[nataliela]

Try going to Disney's website and look for their careers link. They should have a lot of different jobs posted for different areas

 

[InstImpres]

Here's a link for Disney jobs
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

keep in mind TDS is in a little limbo right now as Disney is buying it back from Children's Place. Not sure how that effects hiring. I do know they used to just do applications and were big on promoting from within.

HTH

 

[MinnieGirl33]

IMO being a mom & working retail is a challenge. You have to be thick-skinned enough to miss alot of time with your child.

Don't forget to consider that that you will absolutely work 12/24 & 12/26, the days before & after T'giving, chances are you will have to work Halloween, Mother's Day & Father's Day... when everybody else is at the Memorial Day or July 4th bar-b-ques you will be at the store... you will work 3 out of 4 Saturdays a month...

JM2c from someone who's been there/done that.

Good Luck.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I have been a TDS CM for about 2 months. I can't help with the management payscale question (regular CM pay is very low), but I can tell you that there is a hiring freeze until the I think end of this month; there is absolutely no hiring going on at the retail level. At our store we have a stack of applications and people wanting to come from as far as two states away to work there, the displaced CM's from all the newly closed stores want to relocate. I know at my store you do just walk in and submit an application whether it's for a regular CM or for management. I'm not sure if Disney will change this, but I think all managers except for store managers and higher are part-time, only the store and district managers are full time. Each store has one store manager and a few "team leads" which is sort of like an assistant manager. Do you have any retail or management experience?

I'm also hoping to move into management if something ever becomes available at my store. Like I said, the pay for regular CM's isn't great and I don't know what it's like for managers, but the job is really a lot of fun. It's much harder work than I'm used to as an administrative assistant but SO rewarding and I really love it and feel "at home" when I'm there. The job was fairly easy to get and knowledge of Disney really comes in handy.

Best of luck and let us know how it turns out!

 

[SLP_PoohBear]

I worked at TDS for 3 years, and was employed when it was owned by both Disney and TCP. Hiring practices seemed to have stayed the same with both company ownership at my store. Management was always promoted from within and if a new manager was needed and none of the CMs from that store were qualified to replace him/her then a Manager from another store was brought in. "Walk-in" applicatants were usually only hired for seasonal times or if we were really desperate for more staff, most of our regular PT cast members were referred by someone who was already working. This might be different depending on the store though. But like PPs have said the only full-time positions are Store Manager and DM, and the pay is very low for everyone. This is an example of how low...I worked in a large store in PA that is in a high to upper middle class area with a large population so the store did very well. I was employed for 3 years and left in the beginning of 2007 because I graduated college and had to get a "real" job. Minimum wage in PA at the time was $5.15/hour....I was making $5.50. Now this past year minimum wage in PA has gone up to I think over $7 but I doubt TDS is paying much over that for regular CMs. I also know that the one assistant manager made about $9 per hour, but again they only work part-time as well. If you can get past the low pay however, the store is very fun and a very nice place to work. I can see where some of the magic can be taken away (disgruntled guests, working until past midnight during busy times), but its all what you make of it.

 

[MickeyNicki]

My girlfriend is a manager of a clothing store (big chain) in the mall and she makes about $30K plus benefits and she works alot of hours. She went online to the company that she wanted to work for and at the bottom of the website there is a link called CAREERS.

She tried bigger stores but they wanted 4 year college degree grads.

 

[LaurenLC]

I am an hr manager for a large department store and I thought I might be able to give you some insight into this.....
First you want to take into account that you will most likely be working a much different schedule then you have now. Monday- Friday, 9-5 does not exist in the wonderful world of retail. You will also now be missing pretty much any holiday you once might have spent enjoying with your family. Besides dealing with all kinds of people (customers and associates) you will also most likely take a drastic cut in pay. Most managers starting out do not make that much and I would be surprised if the volume of most Disney stores was that large. I have to say that I LOVE my job, and I really can't imagine doing anything else, but I know it is not for everyone and a lot of people do not know what they are in for when they apply. (I can't even begin to tell you how many people I interview that tell me they are wanting to work at our store until they get a "real job". I like to politely tell them this is a real job, and we even pay with REAL money! Now, if you think that retail is something you are really want to pursue my advice would be to go into your local store with resume in hand and be prepared to fill out their normal application. Most retail establishments now hire at the time the application is turned in, so go dressed to impress..... Be honest and open with your salary expectation and best of luck to you!

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

I was shocked to find out today that a friend of a friend just switched jobs, he was a manager at Target and switch to bed bath and beyond..anyway this friend was saying he had just got his masters degree?? I was shocked you even needed a bachelors to be a retail store manager?

 

[LaurenLC]

I was shocked to find out today that a friend of a friend just switched jobs, he was a manager at Target and switch to bed bath and beyond..anyway this friend was saying he had just got his masters degree?? I was shocked you even needed a bachelors to be a retail store manager?

Why are you shocked by this? Many store managers (especially managers at large department stores and places like Target and Wal-Mart) are in charge of 70+ million dollar stores. It's not just about putting things out to look pretty, there is a lot of skill to running a profitable store.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Why are you shocked by this? Many store managers (especially managers at large department stores and places like Target and Wal-Mart) are in charge of 70+ million dollar stores. It's not just about putting things out to look pretty, there is a lot of skill to running a profitable store.

EXACTLY! My DH is a "big box" store manager and started in 1989 as an hourly after school job and worked his way up the company...but he was lucky to move up in the company without a degree...nowadays forget it...doesnt matter what your experience is, hands on or not, if you dont have a degree forget it. It is alot of very hard work, very high stress job, not stocking shelves and setting a sales ad.

You can be an asst manager without the degree but never run a store without it

 

[LaurenLC]

EXACTLY! My DH is a "big box" store manager and started in 1989 as an hourly after school job and worked his way up the company...but he was lucky to move up in the company without a degree...nowadays forget it...doesnt matter what your experience is, hands on or not, if you dont have a degree forget it. It is alot of very hard work, very high stress job, not stocking shelves and setting a sales ad.

You can be an asst manager without the degree but never run a store without it

Bless your husband as I'm sure he works like crazy....
I started working for the retailer I am still with part time while I was going to college. I in NO WAY thought this would be my career, and that is exactly what it is 8 years later. This not something that I do in-between jobs, this is my career. I am very passionate about this subject and it drives me CRAZY when people don't think about how hard the people that work in stores have to work. I think the world would be a MUCH nicer place if EVERYONE had to work retail during one holiday season!

 

[TDS373X]

I was a CM for about 4 yrs while it was still owned by Disney. Typically management was "hunted" from the outside first by our store manager who would then send out one or both assistants to scout out prespective new mgr. Usually they hunted them from the childrens apparel stores in our Mall if they all agreed then they would send the DM into that store and then the recruiting would begin. They really seemed to like people who had cut their retail management teeth elswhere. We did have a few CM's that did go from a CM to a lead then to ASM. They usually black out vacation time starting from mid Oct thru 1st week of Jan and at least in our store it was everybody. As people have said before the regular CM pay wasn't great at all however there were other perks that sort of made up for it but I was doing it as a second job to support my Disney habit. You may also want to seriously think about the "magic" factor and how being in the store everyday may take away from the Disney Magic you now feel when you walk into a store or go on vacation you may not really want to know all the ins and outs of the corporate giant. I loved my job as a CM, I loved working for the mouse both good and bad (I had to leave due to pregnancy complications) but it is not for everyone

 

[MickeyNicki]

Bless your husband as I'm sure he works like crazy....
I

The ones that have it the hardest are the spouses and it is ever more difficult if you have kids (but we dont). When your spouse works 12-14 hours a day 5-6 (mostly 6) days a week you sometimes feel single! Why do you guys think I am on the DIS all the time

Holidays are a given, BLACK FRIDAY is a dreaded day for him ! DH hates to shop because DUH he is in retail all the time . That is why our vacations need to be fun and relaxing and filled with BOOZE!

 

[Munchkin'sMommy]

IMO being a mom & working retail is a challenge. You have to be thick-skinned enough to miss alot of time with your child.

Don't forget to consider that that you will absolutely work 12/24 & 12/26, the days before & after T'giving, chances are you will have to work Halloween, Mother's Day & Father's Day... when everybody else is at the Memorial Day or July 4th bar-b-ques you will be at the store... you will work 3 out of 4 Saturdays a month...

JM2c from someone who's been there/done that.

Good Luck.

I will totally agree with this statement. I work in retail currently and have been everything from a stocker to a manager and you will work every weekend (or most weekeds) holidays, nights, etc. Retail work is hard if you have children BECAUSE of the untraditional hours. It is hard. I am contantly juggling work schedules with daycare schedules and it can be difficult trying to get out on time. My son's daycare charges $5.00 per MINUTE a parent is late for the first 15 minutes and $10.00 per minute after 15 minutes. I am constanly hurrying to get across down to pick him up because I almost always get caught with a customer at the last minute. And this happens more often than not.

I have worked retail more years that I care to remember and the the holidays are the worst. I don't care what anyone says. I think the best thing is to have realistic expectations about your work schedule. If you are applying for a manager position, you can expect to be there pretty much all day if you are hired. Management in retail can be a tought job. If someone does not show up for work or someone quits on you abrubtly, you will have to stay. And your boss won't really care that you have a playdate with your child.

I have been there, done that. The disney store at my local mall closed a couple of months ago--from one day to the next. Retail sales are down right now across the board. It can be a tough business. And your hours are not set in stone and you have to flexible to meet the needs of the business.

Sorry to have rambled but this is an area where I have years of experience and very strong opinions about.

 

[Munchkin'sMommy]

Bless your husband as I'm sure he works like crazy....
I started working for the retailer I am still with part time while I was going to college. I in NO WAY thought this would be my career, and that is exactly what it is 8 years later. This not something that I do in-between jobs, this is my career. I am very passionate about this subject and it drives me CRAZY when people don't think about how hard the people that work in stores have to work. I think the world would be a MUCH nicer place if EVERYONE had to work retail during one holiday season!

Can I get an AMEN from the choir?!!

Seriously, my mother is a corporate trainer/recruiter for the number retailer in the country and they require that all store managers/store directors have a degree and they only recruit for those positions at colleges and universities. Co-managers don't have a four year degree and neither do assistant mangers or dept managers, but if you want to move up the corporate food chain, a degree is MUST and really not an option. And honestly, they don't really care what your degree is in, just as long as you have one.

Managers with senority who manage supercenters that are very high volume can easily make $80,000 a year if not more. But they work their butts off. Long hours, working overnight to pay your dues, all holidays and weekends and the dreaded Black Friday. Everyone person in America should work retail just once. People would have a greater understanding of how hard you really work.

Stepping off my soap box now....

 

[micksterlee]

I have 18 years of retail management experience with two retailers.Years ago I checked in to our local Disney store and found that the pay offered was very low compared to other management positions.

Like others have said if you are getting in to retail be sure you know what you are signing on for when it comes to hours and time off.If you are the manager in a store like a Disney store you get to do just about everything, good and bad.Your family will need to be understanding when you have plans and little Cindy Lu decides not to show up for work and you have to stay and fill her spot.

There were parts of retail I loved and others I hated but I gave a company a lot of 50 and 60 hour work weeks for 10 years and even relocated across country for them.Now I am unemployed because this same company decided I made to much money for the location and offered a choice of a huge pay cut or a move to another store at my expense.Be very careful where you place your loyality.

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

I have to laugh!!! I have been in retail for 18 years...started PT in college and worked my way up to running my own store. It is so much work, so mnay long and crazy hours. I now am there just PT at night so I can be home with my kids during the day. But, I have always said that everyone in their life should have to work in retail for a month and maybe they would treat the stores/employees and the clothes much better! You will never know how many hours it takes to run a store!
But...retail can be fun. And sometimes the flexible schedules are good for some people. Pay is usually not that great, but if you work for a place that gives a good discount, sometimes that makes it worth it! It has for me! If I ever had to pay full price for clothes for myself or my kids it would kill me!

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

The ones that have it the hardest are the spouses and it is ever more difficult if you have kids (but we dont). When your spouse works 12-14 hours a day 5-6 (mostly 6) days a week you sometimes feel single! Why do you guys think I am on the DIS all the time

Holidays are a given, BLACK FRIDAY is a dreaded day for him ! DH hates to shop because DUH he is in retail all the time . That is why our vacations need to be fun and relaxing and filled with BOOZE!

I am with you there. My DH runs a department in a "Bulk" store. The department he runs was ran by an outside company that paided pretty well well the store took over the department kept him and his pay. He would love to move up but they want him to do it with a pay cut and more hours So he is Stuck. Right now one of his workers is out and he has been working TONS of hours...HATE IT and I babysit so I am stuck home during the week. I would so love him to be home weekends. I DO feel like a single parent lots of times.