How to Become a Department Store Manager
A department store manager must possess many skills in order to be successful, such as knowing how to maximize profits and increase sales, how to manage a potentially large workforce (especially during the holidays), and how to manage an even larger inventory. When you become a department store manager, you must be able to look at the big picture, as well as handle every tiny detail.
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Instructions
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Prepare for a Career as a Department Store Manager
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Consider a degree in Business Administration in order to get a better entry-level management position in a department store. This is the easiest way to become a department store manager without any retail experience.
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Gain experience in the retail industry in order to become a department store manager. While the majority of available retail management positions do not require a college degree, they certainly do ask for retail management experience. In fact, most department store manager positions require as much as 10 years of retail experience as a prerequisite.
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Work your way up from the bottom. While this is not the preferred path for more ambitious job seekers, this is actually the way that a majority of retail employees get into management positions. Many retail companies, in fact, have a very explicit promote-from-within policy, and tend to favor loyal employees over otherwise qualified outsiders when it comes to offering management positions.
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Brush up on your computer skills. Most department stores are highly automated these days, and a basic understanding of database software is usually a must. Payroll, inventory control, cash control and even human resources require computer skills these days.
Find a Job as a Department Store Manager
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Enlist the services of a "headhunter" to find a position as a department store manager. Turnover in retail management positions tend to be higher than average, and there are many employment counselors who specializing in working for retail companies.
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Employ the services of an online website such as Monster.com in order to locate retail management positions in your area (see Resources below).
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Tips & Warnings
Never underestimate the importance of a high quality, comfortable shoe when you are a department store manager, since you will spend a sizable chunk of the day walking the floor and attending to various issues.
Be prepared for long hours under salaried conditions when working in retail management. While some companies tend to restrict the hours their employees work, retail managers are famous for doing "whatever it takes to get the job done," especially during holidays.
