Pros
Nordstrom employment looks good on a resume because of the reputaion for customer service, the workplace is generally safe and upscale, and the compensation starts at a nice rate The health insurance is not too expensive either. Working for Nordstrom can open doors from vendors or even customers to other career paths but to advance with this company you are expected to be married to it and willing to move anywhere for even a small promotion If you decide to quit and do it honorably with 2 weeks notice etc you can reapply and be rehired very easily- I did this before and I didn't even have to do another interview after 3 years away The store discount is okay including sale and Nordstrom Rack Working at Nordstrom for over a year will give you the patience of a saint!
Cons
The major downside to working at Nordstrom is the dissappointing management skills and the general attitude of most of the staff. Its a shame that a beautiful store is so ugly from inside- The pressures for the employees of this mainly commisionned store is obscene and inconsistant. The tools and training the employees are given are practically useless but the expectations are once again so very high and pressured Management is untrustworthy, almost sneaky. Most of the lower management (dept managers etc) seemed to be from the same mold - young- single- selfish- forgetful and have no idea how to talk to or motivate staff The majority of employees promoted seem to go through a pre-management training (brainwashing) before promotion that removes most braincells and life skills Due to uninspiring managers to the high pressures from a slowing retailer, the majority of Nordstrom employees are very unhappy and this leads to lying, slacking off, and cliques. Again, the lack of management skills, the staff seems confused on what the "right" thing to do in most situations. The sceduling at Nordstrom is ridiculous- sure its retail, but they constantly have 7am meetings and then expect you to come back in to work an evening shift as well as blocking off pretty much the whole summer as "no vacation allowed", so once again- the bad attitude staff will call in sick constantly and the people doing the right thing by coming in to work have to suffer in an empty summer store. New programs and policies are added constantly without training, but then made changes to and forgotten about You cannot trust anyone in management or even human resourses at all The pay never goes up- it starts at a pretty high rate but it doesn;t move for ever- the company believes in making your own raises by selling more - never works, you may start off strong but no one can beat their own numbers year after year Too many downsides really..