Sears Holdings Corporation
On March 24, 2005, Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart merged to form the publicly traded parent known as Sears Holdings Corporation, the nation’s third-largest broadline retailer. With approximately $55 billion in annual revenues, and approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada, Sears Holdings Corporation is a leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, and home electronics. The company is also a G.I. Jobs Military-Friendly EmployerSM falling in at No. 10 for 2006.
Sears Holdings Corporation operates both Sears and Kmart stores, and continues to market products under brands held by both companies. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore®, Craftsman® and Diehard®, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands’ End®, Jaclyn Smith® and Joe Boxer®, as well as the Apostrophe® and Covington® brands. It also has Martha Stewart Everyday® products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart and in Canada by Sears Canada. The company is the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually.
With more than 355,000 associates in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the vision of Sears Holdings Corporation is committed to improving the lives of customers by providing quality services, products and solutions that earn their trust and build lifetime relationships. Teamwork, integrity, accountability, coaching for execution; positive energy; and formal recognition through results are the prime ingredients in Sears’ formula for continued success in firm and expanding markets – and hallmarks for military services. We asked Michael Farrell, director of corporate recruitment and operations, what he looks for when hiring from the military.
GIJ: What do prior military hires bring to your company that you like?
SHC: Proven teamwork and leadership; ability to work in a diverse group; performance under pressure.
GIJ: What issues/surprises do you find that military transitioners/veterans need to be aware of when entering the civilian workforce?
SHC: Careers or career paths (next steps) are not always available, designed out, or tied to length of service. One must always be looking to better himself or herself and be able to accept that in order to move up in an organization you have to move around. The ability to take on lateral assignments or moves to enhance skills is present in the civilian workforce.
GIJ: What advantages do military personnel have over their peers of the same age and education level?
SHC: Life experiences, respect for procedures, ability to work in a diverse group, and performance under pressure are all attributes that military personnel generally have over their peers.
GIJ: What disadvantages do you find?
SHC: In large organizations, decisions are not necessarily made quickly.
GIJ: What are the most common mistakes you see on military/veteran résumés?
SHC: One common shortfall is the inability to capture on paper military experiences where leadership, financial, or performance management were key areas of responsibility.
GIJ: What are the most common mistakes military/veterans make in interviews?
SHC: I sometimes encounter the inability to articulate military experiences into civilian opportunities or similarities in work/life.
GIJ: Is relocating essential to promote within your company?
SHC: Yes, it is highly desired for career progression.
GIJ: What types of positions does your company recruit military for?
SHC: We are looking for talented individuals for our Retail Store Management Development Program, distribution and logistics, inventory control, home services technicians, and automotive technicians.
GIJ: Describe the responsibilities of one of these positions (daily duties, working hours etc.)?
SHC: The Retail Store Management Development Program is an accelerated training program designed to place a trainee into a store leadership position for Sears or Kmart. Ideally within 10 months the trainee learns the duties and responsibilities of a store leader which include overall (P&L) financial performance of the store. This includes merchandise, sales, credit and other miscellaneous revenues, expense management, and achievement of profitability goals. The ideal military candidate will have progressive leadership assignments while in the military, strong communication and people skills. Ability to relocate for career growth opportunities may be required.
GIJ: Can a new hire stay in this position for an entire career or do you require new hires to “move up or move out” like the military does?
SHC: They can stay in the role of a store manager their entire career if they so wish.
GIJ: What is the average starting pay for this position?
SHC: We offer competitive pay, commensurate with a transitioning officer.
GIJ: Describe the benefits of this position (healthcare, retirement, vacation, etc.)?
SHC: Comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/life/vision care, 401(k), and vacation, as well as others.
GIJ: Are there any other special incentive benefits that might interest military new hires?
SHC: Sears Holdings Corporation regards service to our country as one of the greatest sacrifices young men and women can make. In addition to significant recruiting and employment programs, Sears Holdings Corporation offers a military pay differential which allows reservists who are full-time employees to continue participating in the company’s life insurance, medical and dental programs. Sears Holdings Corporation also holds a comparable position for these individuals for up to five years.
GIJ: Describe the typical career progression for someone in this position?
SHC: The employee can expect multiple assignments to larger stores with bigger sales volume and eventually multi-store leadership.
GIJ: Do you look for any specific educational requirements for this position?
SHC: Ideally an undergraduate degree is preferred. A degree is not required for technician positions, but some testing or certification may be required.
GIJ: What type of educational experience do you look for in military candidates?
SHC: Ideally an undergraduate degree is preferred. If a person does not have a degree, we look for leadership and growth within assignments while in the military or even extracurricular experiences and leadership back in high school.
GIJ: Did any of the senior executives in your company serve in the military?
SHC: Craig Monaghan, executive vice president & chief financial officer (Sears Holdings), Don Germano, senior vice president and general manager (Kmart Stores) and Mark Hilborn, vice president, logistics (Sears), all served in the military.
GIJ: Do employees need to pay for any of their benefits?
SHC: Yes.
Farrell’s Advice
- Be passionate about what you want to do, your enthusiasm to be a part of our organization is critical.
- Know the business and how you can contribute your experiences to lead Sears Holdings forward.
- We are always looking for great leaders. Leadership through teamwork, integrity, accountability, coaching, positive energy and recognition are core values.
- Understand customer service and the relationship it has on our business. Know how to make money and improve everyday.