sales leader

retail assistant manager

sales associate

seasonal associate

senior assistant manager

Kirklands

Warning: There is a novel below! 

I worked for Kirkland's for a little over two years, and it was definitely a great experience...overall...until the last month. I started in a small mall store that allowed near-total creative freedom, and was amazing!  Being able to take art, furniture, and other decor to create a statement wall or table with few guidelines taught me to love interior decorating.

But this was torn away once we moved to a new, stand-alone store. When a statement wall/table had to be created, YOU. MUST. GO. BY. THE. VISUAL. If your store did not have the product, you are asked, "Why don't you have this product?" as if you are in charge of the product that the warehouse (several states away) sends you. If you put a product where you think it would sell, you are told that you are incorrect and that you do not get paid to think, you get paid to work.

Let's talk about a normal work week! When you open, turn on all battery operated display product, make sure all hold/expired online hold product goes back to the shelves, and all display windows look exactly like the visuals. When you close, wipe counters, clean bathrooms, vacuum the salesfloor, recover shelves/tables. Anytime inbetween, ring out shoppers, push freight, perform manager-given tasks, and CONSTANTLY UP-SELL! 

Then you have truck day(s)! Most stores do not have a loading dock, so you will open the semi-truck doors, hop inside, take way too long setting up the roller system that is totally not worth the time or energy, and work with unpalletized boxes. These boxes will be all the way up to the top of the semi-truck ceiling, and almost always in a precarious and unsafe manner. Trucks are usually being sent to 2 or 3 stores, and they are separated by large pieces of cardboard instead of safety nets to prevent product from crashing down...so watch your heads when working! And if it's cold outside, make sure you have gloves because this will be outdoors (rain or shine, light or dark). 

Other weekly activities you will be a part of include promos and markdowns. Promos are sales and they will make you pull your hair out, even if you're bald. Sales can last a week, they can last a month, but they can also last a day. They are sporadic, and incredibly nit-picky. These sales can be across an entire department (i.e: all mirrors), or it can be just 1 single item that your store may or may not have gotten in. Markdowns are about the same process. You are given a list of SKU, categorized by department, a quantity in inventory (that may/may not be incorrect) with a small description and (maybe) a black & white photo. You must then find these items, both on the sales floor and in the stock room, and manually mark the items down. Enjoy...

Do not get this review wrong. If you are a workaholic just like me, you will love this company, especially if pay is not an issue. The pay is as close to minimum wage as you can get, as well as keyholding management ($9-10/hr, if you were wondering...), and for the work-load, you are so so so getting robbed! When I joined this company, I felt nothing but fun and exciting energy every time I walked in the store. All employees were required to know how to have fun and work at the same time, and frowny faces were to be left at the door, which was a great feeling.

When leaving this company, I felt that higher management were not using their experience nor common sense to solve the simplest tasks. I originally left the company 2 months prior to me writing this review, only to come back to Kirkland's because an opportunity failed me. Kirkland's welcomed me back with open arms. Shortly after I came back, my Store Manager left, and we were greeted with a Store Manager from another store nearby. I was re-hired as a seasonal stock crew member, but I was not chosen to stay on for the main roster, despite having a couple years of experience, while new members were kept. I understand that I left and came back, and that can put a bad taste in the manager's mouth, but when the reason is not expressed properly, it can put a bad taste in the employee's mouth.

I could write an essay on my experience with Kirkland's. 

Typical Work Day:
This could involve anything and everything from stocking, to customer service, to selling product, to rearranging displays. There is no distinction between departments. If you are an employed Team Member, then you do everything minus a few manager operations. The company expects you to be the sales team, customer service desk, janitorial service, visual management team, stocker and shipment team simultaneously. If you are a guy, be warned that this job is going to require a lot of physical energy and endurance. If you are a woman, you are in my prayers. On the upside, this means you are never bored. There is always something interesting to do. 

What I have learned:
Despite my comments above, this company is excellent in the training and educating of its employees. It is a great place to work for high schoolers and college students that are looking for a flexible schedules. From my own personal experience, management was always seeking to help me grow my knowledge and skills in every area applicable. 

Workplace Culture:
Fantastic people on a store level. I've met some of the nicest people in my time there. Managers are also some of the hardest working people I have ever met. They are really overextended from the demands of corporate. The teams have to work so hard to survive that they really bond together, but this is what makes them so fantastic to be in. 

Hardest Part of the Job:
This job is a lot of hard work for too little pay. Corporate also is disinterested in listening to store needs. They are too interested in pressing Credit Card sales and high conversion rates than actually caring for their own workers and customers. 

Most Enjoyable Part:
If you have a good team, you will come to love them like family. On a store level, Kirkland's has fantastic teams that can be really fun, motivate, and empower each other to succeed. 

To add, Kirkland's customers are really fantastic. This is normally a downside for retail, but not at Kirkland's! These people make the job worth it. They are often really fun and engaging people. 








What is the best part of working at the company?
Great discount

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Most specifically, the workload expectations for management are beyond insane.  There is no work-life balance what so ever.  While you are expected to work 45 hrs, easily every week is 60-70 hrs - you more than often end up working on one of your days off.  

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
There are not enough hours in the day, nor employees, for the unrealistic expectations of managing guests, freight and day to day operations.  It is a constant on-going beat down, not to mention often leaves you wondering ‘what will I be in trouble for today?’  Doing a lot with little bites you in the rear - more is piled on and on, often at the last minute.  Physical expectations of staff do not coincide with hiring expectations, which also is not compensated fairly nor competitive with other employers.  This all speaks to the culture of the company.  The bring happiness home catch phrase is true - your happiness is at home and definitely not in the work four walls.   Also, there is little support on all aspects of your employment from ‘partners’, whether it be corporate or your direct district/market managers, little to no investment in people, and fly by the seat of your pants training that will throw you into a shark tank, with the immediate and urgent necessity for you to perform beyond your means and even support outside your hired base.   

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
No day is the same, yet every day is the same with the unrealistic expectations of everything that has to be taken on.  As a manager, 10+ hour days are common.  You are alone or under two person coverage that does not meet business needs or expectations.  Physical exertion, whether it be processing freight consisting of 200lb+ pieces of furniture, building said furniture, loading/unloading items into guest vehicles or onto the floor in displays, will leave you wondering if you’re trying to be killed.  Off hours are demanded that will add to your regular day, whether on the front or back of your schedule, often both.  If you are a manager, there will be no break other than going to use the restroom, and most of the time there is not time for sustenance - you work on caffeine  and chaos.

Remember, every place is different, depending on the leaders at the location.  With that being said...I used to enjoy going to work and looked forward to it.  Once management changed, I dreaded it along with most others that work there.  The pay is awful at only $8/hour, raises are only 1% a year. It was just a part time job for fun and it wasn't fun anymore.  I would not recommend working at this location to friend or foe. New manager acts like she is superior to you and is making the assistant mangers change and act that way as well. No one wants to be treated like that.  You treat employees with respect and they will in return, work hard for you...not here, you are not respected.  They want you to work like you are being paid 4 times the amount for a just above minimum wage job.  Lifting heavy bulky furniture by yourself (yes, because only 2 people are typically scheduled and you can't leave the front of the store unattended) is not fun NOR is hanging art 10-20 feet high.  The short time I worked there, every assistant manager left because that pay is awful in that position as well.  You can go to a fast food place and make more per hour than an assistant manager is paid at Kirkland's.  There is a HUGE turnover rate and will continue to be. Every employee that I started with is now gone in under a year.  I blame the poor pay rates on the corporate office and they could do something about it.  It's a first time type of job for teenagers who want a little spending money and don't care or understand how they are being treated.  Employee discount is a joke.  Customers can get better discounts in their emails.  Don't waste your time, go find a job that pays more with great management.  Working environment is way too stressful there.  Life is too short to work at a place you don't enjoy!

My experience was okay. I somewhat enjoyed my time here. I made friends and had a few good role models. I always enjoyed helping customers paint a picture of their wants and needs for their space.  The job is more suited for those looking for part-time work (15-20 hours weekly). The benefits they do offer full-time workers, typically managers, are at a high price point. You deal with a lot of broken glass, heavy furniture, and 400+ box stock trucks. Stock day was the worst, 3-4 employees unloads all boxes off the back of the truck themselves and most boxes are super heavy and large (can be over 5 feet tall-mirrors & etc.). The set-up / store changes were very frequent. The items on the etagere shelfs and walls were constantly moved for temporary sales or the like. It felt a lot like busy work sometimes. Management staff at my store was always changing (store manager and other managers). The few managers that did stay around were either hypocritical, delegators, or negligent while staying in the back office all day. Which caused high turnover in sales staff during that time. I had 4 amazing managers from when I first started but they didn't stay long due to the long hours, continuous set-up work, and low pay. I was offered a management position multiple times but turned it down due to the stress management had and the pay offered being to low. I ended up leaving Kirkland's and getting a full-time position with another company. It's sad to say I made more money as a staff member with the new company then I would have made at Kirkland's as a manager. Also, I remember how one year Kirkland's corporate give one (literally one) fudge covered Oreo (on a napkin) to each staff member as a Christmas gift. No one said anything at the time but that's not really a good way to boost morale.

A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK
Most days included restocking the sales floor, helping customers, and other tasks to keep sales going. Most Monday's I'd help unload the delivery truck for new merchandise and unbox the items for backstock or to be put on the floor.
I worked the cash register and answered phone calls as well.
I frequently spent time working with a customer to find the home decor, gift, or other item that matched their goals for shopping there.

WHAT I LEARNED
Home decor is not my forte, but I gained some insight into various items that fall into that category. Thinking creatively based on what customers hoped to accomplish became fun as I sought out items that would compliment what the customer wanted/found already.

MANAGEMENT
The management there were very accommodating and patient with me, as I had one to two other jobs during the slow, non-holiday times of the year. My schedule got changed frequently and they worked with me as best they could. I rarely felt like I was not appreciated. Many times I was complimented on my ability to rearrange shelving settings to make room for new items or to consolidate space. Management would often make up fun games to make store meetings entertaining rather than just simply going over new policies or material supplied by the company.

MY CO-WORKERS
Most of my co-workers were very easy to get along with. We chatted frequently and worked well together.

HARDEST PART OF JOB
Never knowing where an item was in the back room, and struggling to find an item that I was unfamiliar with (or had been MOVED since the last day I had worked).

MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF THE JOB
Engaging with the customers and finding ways to make them feel cared about as I helped them find what they were looking for.

Overall, I loved my team. We always had fun and the Store Manager was probably the best I had ever had. She wasn't just "the boss." She genuinely cares for her team and about the company. As an Assistant Manager, a lot is expected of us for inadequate compensation. At one time I was doing 3 different job roles but will still expected to get everything done for each in one 7-8 hour shift all while working with customers and helping the Team Members when needed. The company tries to recognize hard work but often fails. The company also is quick to cut hours on a moments notice but I understand that is just business. Every business has to save money when they aren't making as much. The packing team was often horrendous and most items and customer orders would come to us broken from poor packaging but we were expected to take the blame and find the solution. Customer service is far from helpful. Their answer is frequently "go to store, they will take care of it." Why have them if they make the store do everything for them? The store culture itself was always upbeat and fun. When working with majority women, of course there is gossip and drama but most of us prefer to shut that down and not create a catty and hostile work environment. I learned so much from this job. I learned merchandising, freight management, new customer service skills, and how there is always a way to make things right for the customer. I can not sing enough praises about my team and I am sad to leave for my cross country move. While the company may not always value their workers for everything we deal with, I know my store team and manager recognizes everything we do and always tries to do right by us too.

Kirkands Home Decor was my favorite job because I have always had a special love for Interior Design. I love the aroma that you are welcomed to each time you walk in the store. I worked at Kirklands for a little over a year and although it had a few challenges I enjoyed every second of it.
I have always liked the field of Interior Design. It was a blessing to actually be able to work in the field. I learned a lot about the way things should be aligned in each space. I took the job serious and developed a fervent zeal for the industry itself. After only three months of service as a Cashier, I was advanced to a Gift Genius. The Gift Genius' responsibility is to distinguish all information of the stores merchandise old and new, and also order products based on clients needs and wants.
The only disadvantage of me working for Kirklands is that I had to drive an hour to work each day and an hour home and some days I would only work 3 to 5 hours. I didn't progress with the amount of money I was making and eventually my car needed repairs that I didn't have the money to pay for. All of those things resulted in my departure from the job I loved. Although that small disadvantage, there were many personal perks about the job. I was hired by a very nice Manager during the Christmas seasonal hiring, and they decided to keep me. She only worked there for a month after Christmas, and later they hired a very close friend of mine as the Store Manager. It was great working with her and we continued as friends even after I left the store. The best part of my job was my discount and knowing when things would go on sale!

The Kirkland's that I worked at was on the smaller side, so it did make it difficult to do work and complete tasks. If something was asked of the manager or supervisor, it was usually done right away and could be done, most of the time, by one person.
I did learn how to decorate spaces and what smells and scents would work well with a certain type of room if it had a design inspiration. I learned how to help pick textures, colors, and styles for a customer; whether the space was as small as a bathroom or if they were decorating their entire living room.
The management there did seem non-approachable at times. At other times it seemed like there was favoritism with certain employees.
Because of the size and location, it was a slow-paced environment. It was nice, but oftentimes very boring. Because of the small size, when a manager asked an employee to do something, it got done right away. When I would ask for something to do by a manager, they would almost always tell me to "find something to do". When I would go and try to help another employee with something they would say they didn't need help with it. They were nice people, but it was hard to work with them. The manager gave hours to people depending on how busy you were, but if everything was already done or you couldn't help someone with anything, you wouldn't look, or be, very busy, so you could potentiality end up only getting 8 hours a week.
The thing I did enjoy the most was they did have a good training program, and the other employees were friendly.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Organizing and straightening displays, and putting together lamps and furniture is fun.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The manager puts out the schedule very inconsistently and late, complains about her job, doesn't help in the front, creates more mess for me to clean, is very scared of corporate , and is just rude.
The assistant managers are either helpful and nice or will walk away from you alone at the register with a full line of people and ask you to clock out then do more work, but both will still leave you alone in the front to deal with the register, any other customers, and doing whatever you might've been assigned to do for most of your shift.
The constantly changing promos and deals are hard to keep track of and answer questions accurately about especially when I'm never informed of literally anything upon arriving for my shift.
Corporate randomly changing dress code and anything else with little consideration for the actual workers.
Pay isn't great for how much you do.
Glitter is permanent.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Mostly nice coworkers but disorganized management. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Im usually alone in the front putting together lamps or stocking, while also having to engage with every customer and watch the register and clean and deal with anything else. It usually isn't that bad until it randomly picks up and you have 4 people waiting and 2 more trying to ask you a question. Sweep and vacuum if I close.

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