Welcome to the second installment of our job post analysis series, where we pick 100 percent real job posts apart to show you the best way to attract the five star candidates you deserve. Today we’ll be focusing on the wonderful and widespread world of retail. More specifically, we’ll be looking at job postings for retail managers.
To succeed in a managerial position in the most consumer-interactive industry requires a very specific set of skills and traits. A retail manager needs to be able to tolerate stress well, self-regulate, be service oriented, lead, and be organized … and that’s just for starters!
Job Posting #1
Keep our customers connected.
With the opportunity to join our retail team at any of our growing number of locations throughout the country, there’s plenty of places you can start a great career. By connecting face-to-face with our customers, you engage with the most important people in our business and help them with the technology and services that keep their lives moving forward. In the fun and fast-paced environment of our retail stores, your passion for both technology and customer service make you an integral part of . With the full support of your peers and our organization, you’ll have everything you need to provide an exceptional experience to every customer who walks through our door.
Start writing your story. Be part of ours.
Retail Store Manager-
Our Retail Store Managers coach and develop the store team that delivers Retail Promise to every customer. In this role, you’ll “make the magic” behind the scenes that allows your talented people, inviting store environment, and operations excellence to ensure that our customers “stay connected.”
OPPORTUNITY-YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE
As a Retail Store Manager, your commitment to the five pillars of great retail performance will yield outstanding results for your customers, your store, and your career:
- World Class Service
- High Performing Teams
- Visual Merchandising
- Operations Excellence
- Financial Results
This is your chance to shine! Every decision you make-from team hiring and development, to merchandising, to operations management-will support your efforts to create an extraordinary customer experience. Your gift for cultivating customer relationships and responding efficiently to their needs will translate into overall store profitability. What’s more, modeling this level of world-class service will help you build and strengthen a high-performing team of Retail Sales Associates.
TALENT SUITABILITY- ARE YOU THE RIGHT FIT?
Excellent decision-making and leadership abilities coupled with stellar communication skills are keys to success as a Retail Store Manager. Those who thrive in this position are intuitive, knowledgeable and customer-focused sales pros who can inspire their teams to new heights. They also model grace under pressure in fast-paced environments. With a rare blend of interpersonal savvy and operations and finance expertise, these leaders set the bar for excellence in their team members and themselves.
LEADERSHIP-ARE YOU A LEADER COACH?
As a Retail Store Manager you are focused on strategy and planning while developing and guiding your team. You demonstrate and showcase your leadership abilities by:
SETTING PERFORMANCE DIRECTION: Translating broader business initiatives into clear team objectives and concrete individual goals, aligning appropriately with other groups for efficient, coordinated action.
MOTIVATING OTHERS: Creating a team environment where everyone wants to do their best and deliver results.
DELEGATING: Broadly sharing responsibility and accountability of both routine and important tasks and decisions. Let direct reports finish their own work.
DEVELOPING AND COACHING OTHERS: Having awareness of each person’s career goals; hold development discussions; and provide challenging tasks and assignments to promote development
HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE: Monitoring progress and results; give feedback effectively and make tough decisions when appropriate.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As Retail Store Manager, you’ll have the following day-to-day responsibilities at your retail location:
- Offer consultative sales and service on the sales floor during retail hours (including nights and weekends).
- Recruit, develop, motivate and manage a high-performing team.
- Meet and exceed individual and team sales goals.
- Keep abreast of the rapidly evolving technology.
- Create an environment for discovery in your store that sparks new ideas for using mobile communications.
- Execute the processes and procedures that ensure that the “back” of the store works as well as the “front” from a customer perspective.
- Cultivate long-term customer relationships.
– BA/BS degree or equivalent education through work experience (high school Diploma or GED required)
– Sales and sales management experience with a customer-focused, operationally excellent retail (along with an established record of high personal performance)
– A proven track-record in consultative sales and sales management experience in fields involving consumer technology, applications and content
– Talent for personnel training, coaching and development
– Team-player mentality
– Operational and financial performance management skills, especially site P&L management
– Basic computer know-how and familiarity with common business applications (web browsers, Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, etc.)
Competitive compensation and benefits package offered
is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We strongly support diversity in the workforce.
Benefits For Life.
Just as is vested in supporting your career success, we are equally dedicated to offering you the benefits and environment that enable you to plan for your future. Within a highly dynamic culture quick to recognize and reward, you’ll find both peers and leadership alike are vested in creating an environment of benefit and balance. Alongside this impressive culture, you’ll also enjoy competitive compensation and benefits, phone and service discounts, education assistance and 401(k) with company match. With many additional benefits, you’ll find a comprehensive level of care for you and your family.
GRADE: A
ANALYSIS: This is a pretty superb job posting.
While it may not seem like Company 1 sells itself much, that may be because this company is a major household name. Company 1 doesn’t have to sell itself. However, it still manages to not only sound like a great company to work for, but also like this position contributes to keeping the world running — an interesting and unique tactic. The only downside to this posting is its length — it’s a tad long — and therefore, it risks being passed over or tuned out by what otherwise would have been the perfect candidate for the position.
Where this post earns the ClearFit gold star however is with its “Talent suitability-Are you the right fit?” section. Not only does this section boast a spot-on title, but it also focuses on exactly what a retail manager must have to be successful: leadership abilities, intuition, customer-focus, grace under pressure, interpersonal savvy, and operations and finance expertise. And just in case the “Are you the right fit?” section isn’t enough, the posting goes on to detail (not just list) what the manager will be expected to do. Company 1 is going to get exactly the kind of candidates it wants — and it should.
In addition to the absolutely spectacular focus on the right kind of candidate, Company 1 also remembers to give those candidates incentives. Even better, it offers those incentives in a manner that shows the company is willing to invest in its employees (and their families), instead of just rewarding them.
Job Posting #2
Retail Store Manager
About the Job
, a leading upscale home furnishings retailer featuring down comforters and related down and feather products, is seeking a Store Manager for our retail store in . Exciting environment with quality home products. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package.
Job Purpose:
The Store Manager will have responsibilities for sales/service, merchandising, inventory levels, general administration and overall operation of the store.
Duties:
- Trains store staff by reviewing and revising orientation to products and sales training materials; delivering training sessions; reviewing staff job results and learning needs with retail store manager; developing and implementing new product training.
- Attracts customers by originating display ideas; following display suggestions or schedules; constructing or assembling prefabricated display properties; producing merchandise displays in windows and showcases, and on sales floor.
- Promotes sales by demonstrating merchandise and products to customers.
- Helps customers by providing information; answering questions; obtaining merchandise requested; completing payment transactions; preparing merchandise for delivery.
- Maintains inventory by checking merchandise to determine inventory levels; anticipating customer demand.
- Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Skills/Qualifications:
Competitive Analysis, Management Proficiency, Creative Services, Customer Service, Presentation Skills, Basic Safety, Promotions, Understanding the Customer, Verbal Communication
GRADE: D
ANALYSIS: Takes up enough space for an effective posting, but fails to deliver.
We know what Company 2 sells and that it’s an “exciting” environment. But why is it exciting? Maybe the location is popular. Maybe it’s modeled after the floor at the stock exchange. Maybe there’s a bear infestation. Who knows?
Company 2 also makes the popular “listing” mistake. The post lists the duties and the skills required in the most general way possible. There’s absolutely nothing to differentiate this post from that of any other retail manager post, and we know that being a retail manager for a “home furnishings retailer” is not the same as being one for a children’s toy store or an electronics retailer.
Also, as far as this posting is concerned, Company 2 offers no benefits—none.
Job Posting #3
Retail Store Manager
About the Job
Store Manager, Deputy Manager, Supervisor and Sales Team required
The Brits are coming! is the UK’s leading independent cookware retailer, with 19 stores across the Pond. We sell excellent quality cookware at very competitive prices. We are a well established family owned company, with 15 years of successful retailing. We are opening a new store in in early October 2012, so if you have previous retail management experience and a passion for cooking – we want to hear from you.
Store Managers take ownership of their store and lead their team in exceeding sales targets, whilst ensuring excellent store standards and maintaining all costs in accordance with company objectives.
We also need to recruit a full time Deputy Manager, Sales Supervisor and Sales Advisors so all resumes are accepted from experienced candidates. We offer competitive salaries, benefits and the odd cup of English tea! Please send your resume and cover letter to .
GRADE: C
ANALYSIS: The tone of this ad is wonderful, but one cannot rely on tone alone.
Overall, this job posting has all pieces needed to create a superior ad, but the details are just not there. Company 3 tells a little bit about itself, even less about what it wants in a manager, and then still less about the benefits the company offers. Where this posting excels however, is in overall tone. This posting comes across as warm, with a sense of humor. If one prefers a super professional atmosphere, he or she will know this is not the position to apply for. If Company 3 had included all the proper components, in sufficient detail, and retained the current tone, its posting could have given Company 1’s some serious competition.
Job Posting #4
Bilingual Retail Store Manager,
About the Job
a national premier branded agent for a top US wireless carrier is looking immediately for a Bilingual Retail Store Manager in . Additional opportunities in and surrounding areas.
Bilingual required
Earnings potential of $50k to $60k/yr. + include Salary and commission based on performance.
Skills/ Requirements
We are looking for experienced managers (with at least 3 years managerial experience) whose hard work ethic and personal discipline ensure they are busy and focused.
—Previous industry experience helpful
—Bachelor degree or commensurate work experience
—Individuals who set big goals, are driven to be the best and can translate that into actions will find success.
—Our ideal candidate manages their emotions productively and keeps a positive outlook allowing them to stay on task.
—Successful managers are those whose solid self-esteem allows them to receive consistent coaching and have a willingness to implement change.
—Organizational skills and solid leadership qualities are a must.
Job Description/Expected Behaviors
Retail Store Managers are responsible for the following areas:
Sales
Meet and exceed all targets for quality and quantity
Track and coach sales reps to achieve goals
Accountable for results regardless of circumstances
Ensure all customers are engaged and all sales opportunities are explored
Actively work the sales floor during peak traffic times
Required Daily Sales Call attendance
Inventory
Monitor and report on variance and ensure proper levels and integrity
Managers are accountable for inventory variances and shrinkage
Employee Development
Daily floor coaching and sales observations, achieving minimum company standards
Sales coaching and product knowledge training
Accountable for training, enforcing and adherence to policies and procedures
Cash Management
Daily tracking and reporting
Accountable for integrity and accuracy
General Administration
Maintain all documentation in accordance with and the FCC.
We would love to hear from applicants with strong character attributes including but not limited to integrity, punctuality, work ethic, commitment, a team player, money motivated, and a desire to succeed and achieve goals.
Are you Material?
1. Can you balance high levels of integrity with high levels of sales performance?
2. Can you accept that your level of compensation is directly related to your ability to maximize sales?
3. Are you able to balance being extremely competitive and a productive member of a team?
4. Are you a person who tries to exceed minimum standards?
Commission is driven by team performance and gross profit of the location.
Excellent benefits and pay is available for selected candidates. We offer medical, dental, vision and 401k matching.
GRADE: B-
ANALYSIS: A sufficient, but lackluster posting.
First, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with a “sufficient” posting, especially if you don’t mind receiving applications from “sufficient” candidates. Company 4 relies on being “a national premier branded agent for a top US wireless carrier” to sell itself as a company. Being successful on a national level is nothing to ignore; not all companies can make such claim. Company 4 also devotes a small space to a list of benefits which is, again, sufficient. The skills/requirements portion, however, is where this posting shines, making up a bit for the general lacklusterness of company information and benefit details.
First, the posting states the need for a candidate who manages his or her emotions productively, keeps a positive outlook, has solid enough self-esteem to benefit from constant coaching, can implement the changes suggested by said coaching, and possesses superb organizational and leadership skills. A more suitable list of attributes for a stable manager does not exist. Then, the post offers the standard list of tasks, but directly afterward provides a list of adjectives a candidate needs to make sure describe him or herself. But Company 4 is STILL not finished. To make absolutely sure only the right candidates apply, the posting offers a series of questions for the candidate to ask him or herself, to ensure one final time that he or she is Company 4 retail manager material.
Company 4 may miss out on some of the absolute best candidates due to a lack of attractive information about what type of company it is and what it can offer, but any candidates who do apply will definitely be the right type.
Job Posting #5
About
Headquartered in , is a leading specialty retailer of fashionable and contemporary apparel and accessory items. As of January 28, 2012, the Company operated a total of 558 stores in 47 states and Puerto Rico, including 472 stores and 86 stores. The Company’s products can also be purchased online at or . For more Company information, visit .
Retail Store Manager
Whatever look young women crave, is the first place they go for the last word on style. This group tries on personalities as easily as they try on clothes, and they count on to supply an ever-changing, always fresh array of style choices. gives trendy young women the opportunity to explore every look under the sun, from casual to glamorous.
JOIN OUR FABULOUS MANAGEMENT TEAM!!!
Our rise to the pinnacle of fashion is due to every one of our dynamic, talented employee’s hard work and commitment. If you enjoy the fast paced, challenging environment of the fashion industry and are a motivated individual, we have a variety of career opportunities.
STORE LOCATION:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, generating sales, employee development, visual merchandising, loss prevention and event planning.
REQUIREMENTS:
· 2-4 years retail management experience in fashion apparel
· Ability to recruit, train and develop a staff
· Excellent leadership skills
GOOD TO KNOW:
offers a competitive wage, great work environment and a generous employee discount. Management employees receive a benefits package including 401k and MORE!
GRADE: B-
ANALYSIS: In case you think all shorter posts are insufficient, we offer you this one. Though it could still use some more punching up and details about the type of candidate wanted, it manages to hit all the necessary notes in half the space of most effective posts. Concision is possible.
Job Posting #6
Retail Store Manager
About the Job
is seeking an experienced Retail Store Manager and Assistant Manager to join our team for the new location. We offer a fun, pet-friendly environment. Our managers enjoy a competitive compensation package with medical, dental, and disability insurance, 401K, PTO, paid holidays, and associate discount. Store Managers are also eligible for quarterly bonus potential, and receive stock options. Qualified applicants with 3 or more years’ experience should forward your resume to EOE
GRADE: C-
ANALYSIS: Concision can still go wrong.
A fun, pet-friendly environment is good, but is this a busy store, a calm atmosphere, or an assembly line type operation? Family-owned? Poodle-smuggling front?
The compensation and benefits are nice and the best part about the post.
The primary issue here is the term “qualified applicants.” What makes a qualified applicant? What will this position be responsible for? This is such a general posting with such a strong emphasis on benefits, that many unqualified candidates are bound to apply, and bury the responsible party under a mountain of useless applications.
The Results
While some might think creating a job post for a retail store manager—one of the most common managerial positions in the world—is simple and impossible to mess up, we’ve shown that is not true. Generic postings lead to generic applicants. Posting too little leads to too many unqualified applicants, while posting too much can lead to candidates tuning it out and easily losing interest. Most importantly of all, make sure to also include what your company wants in a candidate other than what he or she can do task-wise. You must require the personal traits best-suited to your specific area of retail in addition to the traits of a generally excellent manager.
Join us soon for the third post in our job analysis series: what makes a great job description for an Admin Assistant position.
[contentblock id=18]
