Pros
Great coworkers in the department Customers are kind and easy to work with Loved representing my cosmetics line, great additional benefits Lot of potential for growth within the department, most other coworkers are happy to teach you about their products, introduce their customers to you, etc. Opportunity to make long lasting connections with coworkers and customer alike
Cons
Couldn't keep a department manager around so usually oversight went to the floor manager, who was a nightmare Expected to move mountains for the department, but management is immune to that same level of accountability Company has very defined values and rules that management may twist to screw you over even when you haven't actually done anything wrong Lack of communication of important information ie event dates, gwp offerings, new brands coming in with no related education Pay not competitive, even including commission Pretty old school brands, difficult to connect with new or young customers due to lack of offering Usually understaffed Mandatory overtime around holidays Hard to get time off, even unpaid or half days Point of sale systems pretty out of date, as well as communication technologies (can only phone customers, no access to email or text message as many stores have) Management may lie to you to save face regarding their lack of communication or support and make you feel like an idiot for trusting them