Wilson Yard Target Recruitment Poster
A reader writes in...
"When I read your earlier post about Target, I was surprised to read this line from a forwarded e-mail in the comments of the post: "Local people can apply for jobs earlier than the general public." Since I work in Human Resources, I know that it's not typical to give any applications preferential treatment or make the process more accessible to anyone, unless they have a disability covered by ADA. I reached out to Jeff DeMoss at Target to follow up. He's on vacation, but I got a call from their HR Business Partner. When I told her about the posting on UU and the e-mail from Cory at ONE, she stated that there must have been "some miscommunication."
She stated that it's a plus to have local job candidates working at Target. That way, the person can work and shop there, building a real sense of community. However, no candidates are being given any preferential treatment. She attended the ONE meeting on behalf of Target for local community outreach, but she was only there to explain how to apply for a job at Target. She stated that candidates can list community organizations for referral sources, but that's really for Target to learn more about local organizations for future outreach opportunities. Those candidates do not receive any special consideration.
She told me that candidates can start applying for jobs on April 11th either on the website or at a kiosk at another Target location. Candidates can apply earlier than that; however, it's best to wait until the Wilson Yard store is available on the website. I asked if there are requirements to work at Target, like a GED, customer service experience, etc. She said that Target's culture is "fast, fun, friendly." That means if a person with no experience displays these qualities better in an interview than someone with many years of experience, they will be the preferred candidate for the position. There are not easily quantifiable job requirements.
She also forwarded on the attached flyer with information on how to apply online. I thought you might like to share it with your readers."
So, despite the spin,
ReplyDeleteONE members do not get preferential treatment, nor do their applications get read before those belonging to the rest of the applicants.
Mentioning ONE or Ald. Shiller on your application gets you nothing.
Homeowners can apply and get exactly the same consideration as ONE members.
Thanks for clearing that up. Poor Target got put in the middle of someone's agenda there.
Does anyone know how much Target pays for each position, or what their average pay is? Bring on July.
ReplyDelete-Brian
I work in HR too and the notion that you get preferential treatment because you have an disability covered under ADA is complete garbage. It's about whether or not you can complete the essential functions of the job.
ReplyDeleteAnd the HR person from Target who said there are "not easily quantifiable job requirements" is incorrect, too. I'm certain that there is a job description and that there are at least certain basic requirements needed to perform the job.
Hi Tres,
ReplyDeleteI passed along this information and you are correct about ADA. I put two thoughts together in one sentence, but I should have separated them.
First thought - people are not getting preferential treatment for any reason.
Second thought - the process of applying is not being made any more accessible, unless the person requests assistance under ADA. Basically, if someone has trouble using the computer or kiosk, Target can offer a paper application upon request.
I was also surprised when she didn't give any specific job requirements.
So, what's the motivation? I would suspect that they desperately need local hires to justify spending TIF money to build the day care center in the low income housing building next door. TIF law allows TIF money to be spend on day care centers for workers who get jobs created by the TIF. So far, the only jobs created by the TIF and the $53000 jobs training program run by Uptown Business partners are 2 construction jobs. And, we don't know if those 2 guys worked in Uptown or had kids. (The he Aldi jobs were already in the TIF because all the TIF did was move the Aldi's building one block north.) So, thus far, that money was not properly spent.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt, the powers that be are aware of this and going to do everything (legal and illegal) to give local hires with kids into those Target jobs.