Job at Saks/Niemans....

I have no idea if this is the right place to ask this or not, but if it isn't it'll probably get moved to the right place. I'm lost right now, trying to figure out what direction I want to go in life, what to major in when I start college (I'm taking a break from school this year), etc. I'd really enjoy a job working in the men's dept. at a Saks or Neimans, but I have no idea if this is a career type job or not. Does anyone know about what they pay and what you need to get into a job like that? I know a lot about designers and fine clothing makers and can definately keep up with what they are doing new each season and such, so I don't think it'd need much more than that, really. Opinions/suggestions welcome

Well, in general working retail anything is a dead end. Unless you want to be the head jackass of that store for your life, then more power to you.

Good salesmen at top high-end stores can make a pretty good living, from what I've gathered. But I imagine they earn that money. Personally, I'd rather just wear the clothes.

If you are really really pushy, but can camoflage it well, and have good taste and a good eye, I'm sure you could make bank. But no, I wouldn't call it a career-path (you never know though, one day you could be upselling some mogul who says "I like your moxie kid, lemme give you a sweet ass corner office.")

Originally Posted by Nataku

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I have no idea if this is the right place to ask this or not, but if it isn't it'll probably get moved to the right place. I'm lost right now, trying to figure out what direction I want to go in life, what to major in when I start college (I'm taking a break from school this year), etc. I'd really enjoy a job working in the men's dept. at a Saks or Neimans, but I have no idea if this is a career type job or not. Does anyone know about what they pay and what you need to get into a job like that? I know a lot about designers and fine clothing makers and can definately keep up with what they are doing new each season and such, so I don't think it'd need much more than that, really. Opinions/suggestions welcome

Most replies in this thread seemed to have missed the point. You do not build a career in sales if you are going to college, in my opinion. However, it is a good idea to work at NM as a salesperson for a summer or two. NM aggressively recruited at my university for their management training program. If you're majoring in supply chain, business, logistics, whatever, they will take you, and put you in, IIRC, assistant buyer positions for a couple years. Once you "graduate" you are will be in charge of a particular region. You can make 6 figures quite easily going that route..

Originally Posted by arnach

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Most replies in this thread seemed to have missed the point. You do not build a career in sales if you are going to college, in my opinion. However, it is a good idea to work at NM as a salesperson for a summer or two. NM aggressively recruited at my university for their management training program. If you're majoring in supply chain, business, logistics, whatever, they will take you, and put you in, IIRC, assistant buyer positions for a couple years. Once you "graduate" you are will be in charge of a particular region. You can make 6 figures quite easily going that route..

I'm curious how we've missed the point when he specifically states, "I'd really enjoy a job working in the men's dept. at a Saks or Neimans, but I have no idea if this is a career type job or not." He also mentions that he's not going to college, but taking time off before starting. Would you care to elaborate?

Odd, the need to cast aspursions on other posts.

Hey, if you can work in high end stores like Barneys, etc and can make commission then do it.

Since you are taking a break from school and are pondering your next move. You should think hard about pursuing your passions or getting experience to build a career on. If both matches at a job, then great! If not, just try and find out by working. Who knows, you might be the next Ralph Lauren!

I've worked retail. It's not as glamorous as one might think. You see the same freakin' clothes every single day for the entire season.

Catty men competing for cut-throat commissions?

Not quite as pleasant.

Could somebody please name the planet where hign-end men's stores allow floor people to pull in $150-200K in earnings ?
( That was the figure I heard being tossed around. )

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

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I'm curious how we've missed the point when he specifically states, "I'd really enjoy a job working in the men's dept. at a Saks or Neimans, but I have no idea if this is a career type job or not." He also mentions that he's not going to college, but taking time off before starting. Would you care to elaborate? Odd, the need to cast aspursions on other posts.
Most posters missed the point because they seem to think he'd be in sales for life. It IS a career move if he moves into management/buying using a college degree. Taking a year off means he will have his college degree in one extra years time, if I am reading correctly. The point, I took it, was of someone who was looking for career/life/major choice advice and a temporary job, not saying "I want to be a salesman for the rest of my life."

Originally Posted by Eason

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Well, in general working retail anything is a dead end. Unless you want to be the head jackass of that store for your life, then more power to you.

Terrible advice... If this guy is just starting out and wants to get a taste of working in fashion/retail and is in college, there is no better way than to work on the floor for a year or so. If the individual is inquisitive, he can really get a feel for the latter part of the supply chain and a glimpse into the corporate side of the business.

In some companies the primary breeding ground for future execs is at the retail level, given one is college educated and competent. In Neiman's for example, execs aiming higher than the buyer level must have a year experience managing a department in one of stores.

Granted there are a lot of people who work at the retail level who will never be promoted to anything, but the ones who show promise and initiative will be tapped for higher levels on the corporate side within the company.

Originally Posted by Christofuh

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Could somebody please name the planet where hign-end men's stores allow floor people to pull in $150-200K in earnings ?

( That was the figure I heard being tossed around. )

$150-200 is at the absolute top of the range, for example someone who is a Kiton specialist at Bergdorf Goodman, Korshack, or NM in Dallas. Hitting $100-125 isn't too much of a stretch if you're working in a better store and have built an adequate client base.

Originally Posted by Eason

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Well, in general working retail anything is a dead end. Unless you want to be the head jackass of that store for your life, then more power to you.

I beg your pardon!!! I have been involved in retail for over thirty years, worked for the best, sold the best and now have my own store. When I worked at Louis the income level there was substantial with the top salesman making $125,000 + and that was 1991. I have met great people, made great freinds and enjoy passionately what I do. Please let us all know what glorious position you hold so we can comment on your quality of life.

Gary

Originally Posted by drink8648

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I beg your pardon!!! I have been involved in retail for over thirty years, worked for the best, sold the best and now have my own store. When I worked at Louis the income level there was substantial with the top salesman making $125,000 + and that was 1991. I have met great people, made great freinds and enjoy passionately what I do. Please let us all know what glorious position you hold so we can comment on your quality of life.

Gary

Curious how you got a job at Louis...did you just walk in and interview, or what?