Said Ali, Business and Marketing Education, Human Resource Development and Leadership Minor
Executive Team Leader | Target
How did you learn about your current position?
I learned about my current position by going to the employer recruitment event that came to STSS which was on campus. I knew that Target was going to be there and I have been preparing for Target for a long while so I knew that this was my chance to get to know more about them and see if they had any positions open. They had a Position open which is Executive Team Leader. So I applied for the position and did a round of 5 interviews and got the job.
Describe your position.
I will be working at Target as the Executive Team Leader. This position is kind of assistant manager and manager at the same time. I will act as the manager in different roles and will be the assistant managers at other roles as well. I will be out in the store helping out customers, working in a team with team members, and doing different task at a daily level.
What do you most enjoy about your position? What are some of the challenges?
I really like the idea that I will come every day doing something new and challenging at the same time. Coming to work and knowing that you will be doing the same thing over and over again can get boring at times but at the current position I will be doing something new daily which is something I enjoy. There are many challenges some of them are making decisions on the spot, trying to get the best quality to meet guests exceptions, and making sure everything is going fine at work with team members.
How does your position fit with your long term career goals?
It does fit with aspects of HRD. Recruiting is one industry in the HRD field and it is a different and intriguing in my opinion. I am grateful I can have an experience like this so young in my career.
During your job search, how did you make yourself stand out to employers?
I try and be as honest as possible. I want them to know that I am still inexperienced and I am looking for new opportunities to help expand my professional outlook. I am always up front and I know how to sell my human capital. I have great emotional intelligence and I use that angle to help my employers get to know me in a different way.
What did you find to be the most helpful during your internship/job search process?
I had the help of family and friends that have had similar experience in this field. I also had their support which is always a plus! I also was prepared because I have gone on interviews in the past and using my past experiences always helps me be better prepared. It was also very helpful that the U of M set up a HRD recruitment event in which great organizations attended!
Do you have any tips to share with other students about your experience?
I would give this advice: don't pass up opportunities that are presented to you just because you think you don't have the experience or job prerequisites. Everyone has to start somewhere, and building your resume starts with experience! Do as much as you can while you're in college, it will benefit you in the long run. You don't want to look back and think 'oh I wish I would have done that'! I went to the recruitment fair kind of on a last minute whim. I saw it in an email and thought "hey maybe I find something, maybe I don't". Always try and go into those kinds of things with an open mind and don't be afraid to put yourself out there! You will be glad you did.
