Trader Joe's has been great for two years, but could be so much better!
Pros
-Diversity among crew members. Very gay friendly. Employees from all different backgrounds and age groups. Lots of fun and talented people. -Customer base. Although sometimes needy, most customers are very knowledgeable about TJs products and share an enthusiasm with the crew when new products come out. TJs customers go out of their way to shop here a lot of the time, which creates a more positive environment than say having customers who just see grocery shopping as a chore. -10% discount on all products is more than fair. It's kind of fun asking for a three bell when visiting a store out of the area or state. Usually stirs up a fun conversation. -You get out what you put in. Many employers run their business strictly on seniority or on who you know. Sure there is favoritism here like anywhere else. But if you're willing to give complete open availability, push yourself to accept new challenges like being a section leader even though it doesn't come with a raise and is much more responsibility, and you're patient and willing to do whatever is needed, opportunities to advance will arise. -Starting pay and availability of hours weekly is significantly better than what is the norm in the retail and service industry today. While most jobs will want to start you around $9 an hour, and you'd be lucky to average 20-25 hours a week, the opportunity at TJs far exceeds that.
Cons
-Very little, if any training for new hires. I came in with over a decade of experience in the grocery business, but for those who it is their first job or are new to the business, I could see things being very overwhelming. -Safety training and culture, including food safety. Stores and back rooms are VERY cramped, sometimes to a dangerous level. I understand maximizing square footage to profit levels, but when stores that were built to handle $100k in sales a WEEK, and are now pushing $700k a week, something has to give. Lots of heavy lifting and little or no training on proper techniques. Back room coolers are often stuffed to the brim, and most of the crew finds it acceptable to just push a table of perishable product out into a room temperature warehouse for longer than is safe or recommended. Even when breaking down deliveries, stacks of fresh, highly perishable salads and dips can often sit untouched on racks on the sales floor for several hours. -Management styles. Starting off new at Trader Joe's often feels more like joining a fraternity rather than a job. Full timers will often heckle and have inappropriate comments. I wouldn't go so far as to call it harassment, because it's not, but not always the most professional. Some times this can lighten up the mood, other times it leaves one puzzled as to where they really stand. -Supply chain. TOS. TOS. TOS. Discontinued. Product ordering caps. Most customers and employees are used to this song and dance, but it's tough disappointing customers on the daily due to product supply issues. -There's a clear divide between externally hired management, and those that are promoted from within. Eventually it's all a wash, and I do not envy those hired as mates from outside the company. You are walking into an emotionally charged, intense situation. Crew members are passionate for the most part about what they do, and it is not easy being the stranger walking in the door. I do envy though the starting pay of most externally hired mates.