(no subject)
Apr. 19th, 2004 11:53 pmFor those of you not in the know (ie. pretty much everyone on my friends list, I bet) I am currently an assistant department manager for a very large chain bookstore. I'm in charge of my own department (Children, Teen. Education, Family and Childcare), and I've been in management training for the last year - ever since they promoted me to asst. manager. I'm also good at this job, at the risk of sounding arrogant. Since I took over, the department's sales have increased, our inventory accuracy has become ideal, our children's book clubs and storytimes have tripled in attendance and we've been voted best children's bookstore in Richmond three times by two separate sources. So, I think I'm pretty damn cool. And it looks like someone else has noticed.
One of our department managers just got a promotion. And Bruce, our store manager, has recommended me to take over his position.
I am extremely excited. First of all, I'm younger and have less experience with the company than anyone else he could have recommended, so it's a strong vote of confidence. Second, his recommendation was backed by every other manager in the store. Third, he and the other store managers have been giving me mock interviews and pointers to get me through the interview with our District Manager (who makes the final decision). Fourth, the DM told Bruce that on his recommendation she was only going to conduct a casual interview and leave the final decision up to him.
Eep!
Plus, the starting salary is twice what I make now. Twice. and just in case we missed the signifigance of this: TWICE. I'm scraping by right now. If I get this position, I'd actually be comfortable.
From what Bruce tells me, the only way I won't get this position is if a current Dept. Manager decides they want to work in this store - which isn't unlikely. Our store is high volume, and it's often used as a lateral promotion, or as a way of moving dept. managers up a little bit before actually promoting them to assistant store manager. In that instance, that manager would have seniority over me. Although, I could then apply for their former position, if I so desired.
Even if I don't get it, the sheer confidence everyone has been showing in me is enough to make me pleased with myself and my job. Everyone has been great about it. Sandy took me aside a few weeks ago before I knew about any of this and handed me the department manager taining books, telling me "I think you should read these as soon as possible. Just in case!" Chris and Juanita have both been going over money and records procedure with me - and they've even been having me close the store some nights, which no other individual of my position has been allowed to do in all the time I've worked there. Everyone's come and said something supportive to me about how they hope I get the position - even Christina (our CRM who I helped train and who I'm partnered with) who threatened to break my legs in the same breath because she says she'll never find someone as great to work with as me. Bruce even asked me who I want to replace me in the Kids' Department and went so far as to approach the two candidates we settled on.
I'd be the youngest manager in the region, too. Which makes me nervous. The DM is young for her position, too, so hopefully she won't use my age against me.
I'm just... incredibly excited. And I keep telling myself not to get my hopes up, but I think it's too late. ^_^
One of our department managers just got a promotion. And Bruce, our store manager, has recommended me to take over his position.
I am extremely excited. First of all, I'm younger and have less experience with the company than anyone else he could have recommended, so it's a strong vote of confidence. Second, his recommendation was backed by every other manager in the store. Third, he and the other store managers have been giving me mock interviews and pointers to get me through the interview with our District Manager (who makes the final decision). Fourth, the DM told Bruce that on his recommendation she was only going to conduct a casual interview and leave the final decision up to him.
Eep!
Plus, the starting salary is twice what I make now. Twice. and just in case we missed the signifigance of this: TWICE. I'm scraping by right now. If I get this position, I'd actually be comfortable.
From what Bruce tells me, the only way I won't get this position is if a current Dept. Manager decides they want to work in this store - which isn't unlikely. Our store is high volume, and it's often used as a lateral promotion, or as a way of moving dept. managers up a little bit before actually promoting them to assistant store manager. In that instance, that manager would have seniority over me. Although, I could then apply for their former position, if I so desired.
Even if I don't get it, the sheer confidence everyone has been showing in me is enough to make me pleased with myself and my job. Everyone has been great about it. Sandy took me aside a few weeks ago before I knew about any of this and handed me the department manager taining books, telling me "I think you should read these as soon as possible. Just in case!" Chris and Juanita have both been going over money and records procedure with me - and they've even been having me close the store some nights, which no other individual of my position has been allowed to do in all the time I've worked there. Everyone's come and said something supportive to me about how they hope I get the position - even Christina (our CRM who I helped train and who I'm partnered with) who threatened to break my legs in the same breath because she says she'll never find someone as great to work with as me. Bruce even asked me who I want to replace me in the Kids' Department and went so far as to approach the two candidates we settled on.
I'd be the youngest manager in the region, too. Which makes me nervous. The DM is young for her position, too, so hopefully she won't use my age against me.
I'm just... incredibly excited. And I keep telling myself not to get my hopes up, but I think it's too late. ^_^