According to multiple reports, the U.S. store manager at an Apple Store is being offered a stock increase of 25 percent and a 15 percent increase in salary. While the offer is unofficial and subject to change, a source claims that it’s the first time that any U.S. Store Manager has been offered a stock increase in 15 years. What’s more, the new offer could be extended to other U.S. and Canadian store managers.
If the U.S. store managers at these Apple stores are to be believed, this means that the company is looking to lure more employees into its ranks. Will these new job offers be enough to convince you to work there? Let’s see what it means for you as an employee.
What does it mean for you if you’re a store manager?
First things first: let’s get this confusion out of the way. This is an official job offer from Apple and while it may come as a surprise to some, it’s nothing new. In fact, the company has been making job offers to managers since 2006.
In recent years, Apple has been making higher and higher dollar figures available to its managers — $150,000 in salary and equity in Apple’s shares. While this is definitely attractive, keep in mind that it’s still only a job offer. As with any other job, you’ll need to accept it and move forward.
Will the U.S. store manager at an Apple Store be offered a stock increase?
Yes and no. This is a great thing for the employees at Apple Stores because it seems that the company is ready to stand behind its job offers. In other words, if you accept the job, you’ll get an increase in your salary. However, you won’t be getting a increase in Apple shares. This offer is purely in regards to the salary and does not include any stock.
This is a rare instance of a private company giving an official job offer to an employee. It’s also worth noting that Apple is one of very few companies that provide a stock option plan. The vast majority of employers only offer a salary increase and no way to earn more shares.
Are job offers for U.S. store managers a sure-fire way to get your foot in the door?
While it’s certainly easier to get hired as a store manager than it is to get hired as an engineer or a corporate attorney, it’s important to remember that becoming a manager at Apple is a very competitive field. More than anything, you’ll want to impress the managers at the store where you want to work.
To stand out in this sea of applicants, you’ll need to have the right skills. Apple’s job ads look for people with at least two years of experience as a store manager in the above industries. Experience counts, so if you’ve managed stores before, that’s something to consider.
As with any job, the key here is to put your best foot forward. If you’re aiming to impress, you’ll do better by following these steps:
– Don’t put pressure on yourself by making rash decisions. Don’t spend your limited energy trying to prove yourself wrong when you’re not the one getting a promotion.
– Be professional and courteous to everyone in your position. This includes customers, employees, and managers. If you don’t follow this, you’ll not only be leaving yourself wide open to be treated like a peer, you could also be putting your job security at risk.
– Leave your ego at the door. No one wants to work with a half-baked manager.
– Always be willing to mentor and help your fellow store managers. If there’s a problem at work, you want to help solve, come to the aid of another manager when appropriate.
– Finally, make an effort to learn more about the industry and the store management business in general. Don’t just rely on your gut and the fact that you know a lot about lots of different things to know what’s going on in the industry. Taking the time to acquire some knowledge will help you stand out from the rest of the candidates and get your foot in the door.
What is the market like for U.S. store managers?
As mentioned above, there are approximately 20,000 U.S. store managers and the job market for them is very tight. To stand out in this field, you’ll need to be highly motivated and hard working. You’ll also need to have the right skills, including an understanding of the customer base and buying habits of the different regions of the country. In other words, you need to be able to think like an expert in different areas of retailing.
If you measure success by how many sales you can push or by how often products return to stock, then you’re in trouble. You need to be able to see the big picture and know when it’s worth all the effort and trouble that it takes to get a sale. In short, you need to be an analytics type of person.
Potential benefits of becoming a U.S. store manager
Exposure: You’re going to work in one of the most recognizable brands in the world, so you’ll be putting your name in the spotlight. This might lead to some great things, like the opportunity to keynote at an Apple event or to write a book.
Challenge: The best jobs offer a chance to try something new and challenge yourself. Being a manager in an incredibly competitive industry, you won’t be afraid to push yourself.
Great Pay: With the average salary for a U.S. store manager at $123,000, potential benefits such as paid vacation, a excellent benefits package, and a great retirement plan are substantial.
Final Words
The job market for store managers is very tight and competition for open positions is stiff. You need to be motivated and have the right skills to be successful in this job. Potential benefits such as exposure, great pay, and a challenge make this an appealing option for this position. At the end of the day, it’s going to take a great deal of hard work to earn the promotion to manager at Apple.
