Pros
1) Very loyal and extremely appreciative customers, many will seek me out just to say thank you for something I helped them with on a previous visit, and to tell me how thankful they are knowing I'm there for them and how much it means to them. 2) (Most) fellow associates are great 'team players' who are respectful of each other, genuinely helpful, and are always there for you when you need encouragement. The customers and associates are the ONLY ones you will EVER get positive feedback from, but you'll get LOTS of it...(and you'll NEED it-Managers/Supervisors will rarely even acknowledge you, and then only long enough to chastise you for any insignificant thing.)
Cons
ALWAYS short-handed, usually you will be doing the work of AT LEAST 2 (usually 3) people. Management has almost zero interaction with store employees (or customers), and most have absolutely NO knowledge whatsoever about the products sold in the store they are managing. They will refer ALL customers they come in contact with to an associate, because they are literally clueless as to how to help them. You will live in constant fear of losing your job, because you are reminded almost daily that you are replaceable. You will almost never get your breaks, and you must request days off 3 weeks in advance, or it won't even be considered...even if you request a particular day off and follow the rules exactly, it's very likely you won't get it, and its pretty much understood that you will always be there when they need you to be there, regardless of all else. You are required to go 'above and beyond' at all times, and to expect absolutely NOTHING in return, except maybe to keep your job. Lastly, your yearly raise will never be more than 2-4% (less than .50 cents an hour.)
