RETAIL RECRUITING: MAKE AN IMPACT AT THE PRECIPICE OF CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT

Retail recruiting is an exciting and broad area of exploration, including store front retailers, e-commerce, B2B and B2C, as well as start-ups tackling sustainability in fashion, customer analytics, and lifestyle branding.

What is a recruiting trend that I should keep in mind as I conduct my internship/job search?

Retail employers love to hear from students who showcase their enthusiasm for merchandising, customer engagement, and brand building. Retail recruiters continue to hire MBA/Master’s students for internship roles, specifically within their internship Leadership Development Programs. Increasingly, these LDPs have become more focused, typically in functional areas like Human Resources or Finance. It is common for LDPs to require permanent U.S. work authorization. Just-in-time experienced hire roles can be a crucial opportunity for those seeking full-time employment.

What is the recruiting approach that I should keep in mind as I conduct my internship/job search?

Many employers in this industry, regardless of size, implement a regional recruiting strategy where they focus on institutions within geographic proximity to their corporate headquarters. This is typically for convenience and by preference of upper management. Recruiters will absolutely consider all applications, but it is strategic to develop a strong and robust network prior to applying and to be sure that your application materials allow you to stand out.

Does the Retail industry embrace applicants who are looking to pivot? Rely on previous experience?

Retail employers value diverse functional backgrounds and welcome applicants looking to pivot. Those applicants still must evidence a passion for retail throughout their application process and, if pivoting, express how their skills and experiences are relevant to the needs of the position. Given Retail’s overlapping skillsets with other industries (Tech, CPG, etc.) establishing relevance should not be a huge challenge but is a necessary strategy.

How important is networking in this industry?

Networking in this industry is strongly recommended, although not necessarily crucial to the recruiting process. Networking is warmly received across alumni, hiring managers, and recruiters. SOM alumni in Retail note that outreach to alumni is immensely impactful, as they can make recommendations on behalf of applicants where they have ties to that team. Recruiters, while willing to network, may be less likely to respond to outreach, due to small recruiting teams managing large swaths of the employer’s recruiting processes.

Is there anything unique about the interviewing process?

Interviews typically offer behavioral questions throughout. Most interviews will involve an initial phone/virtual screening interview with a recruiter, followed by one or more virtual rounds. In some cases, an assessment may be required, although this is typically function-dependent.

What does full-time recruiting look like? Are internships the best path to a full-time role?

Full-time recruiting primarily exists as ‘just-in-time’ recruiting, with roles opening due to someone leaving that role or an internship return offer being declined. Internships are the best path toward a full-time role in terms of structured recruiting.

What does internship recruiting look like?

Internship recruiting is the best path toward a full-time role. Retail employers will open applications throughout the Fall semester. Leadership Development Program internships tend to start receiving applications earlier (sometimes as early as early September) while others will appear later in the Fall (mid-October). Application deadlines tend to be 4-6 weeks after posting date, although listings can close early if enough applications are received. Prompt application submissions are recommended. Interviews will take place through the late Fall semester with offers expected typically in January or early February. Some Retail employers will host multi-school, virtual information sessions, although these have become less frequent over the past 2-3 years.

RESOURCE GUIDE