3 months since I walked, without anything in hand. I can tell you that life is way better outside - you will realise it when you find something at a younger, more nimble company. Especially true for old timers who have known nothing else. Today, I counsel some of my old colleagues and help them gather courage. Trust me, you will never want to go back - ever. It is the shittiest company to work for, and turns you into a scared, under-confident professional. If you're being let go, step out with your head held high. Life is so much more than a useless set of Leadership Expectations and dealing with an utterly worthless HR team.
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So happy to see this post. I came into Target an accomplished, confident, and competent professional and by the time I left 7 years later, felt chewed up and spit out. I have to rebuild my leadership and confidence back up because of the immense focus (in my work area) on my "opportunities" which change drastically depending on who you work with/for. Total bs. "Soar with your strengths" is an ideal that is failing miserably at Target right now. Oh, and Former HQ.com team member? I WAS successful in this environment with 4 promotions and more than double my starting salary by the time I left. It's just a brutal environment and recognition is a joke. The company allows and encourages leaders to gossip relentlessly about their peers and subordinates all in the name of "development."
Like any large company, it's different in different areas. I also worked at Wells Fargo, and it was way more screwed up than what I've experienced at Target. I've worked for 6 different companies over the past 15 years, and I'd rank Target my 2nd best experience, after my current job, of course. :)
Wholeheartedly agree. Left on my own accord in December after 4 years... but prior to that, many years of experience with other companies. I always thoguht the way Target operated was nuts and that the only reason it continued is because nobody had worked anywhere else so nobody knew how completely f***ed up it was. They turned me from a confidence successful professional into a sniveling wimp who had to ask permission to do anything, because God forbid anybody be empowered to make a decision without the consent of 20287563 other people -- and if you do, watch out!
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. It doesn't mean your right though. Pretty sure 50 years ago, employees who left Dayton said the same thing...it they don't do this, they will fail.
Still at target and on my way out by choice. The way work is done here is nuts. Everyone needs to be fired and the whole company recreated. Get rid of statuses. Stop focusing on meaningless development. STOP meeting to complete work!!! Meetings are pointless and until target stops this they will continue to fail.
I, too, walked out 1.5 years ago. I, too, doubled my income in under 7 years at Target. But I am now earning 30%+ more than I was at another leading MN company. I left Target in shambles, confidence low and doubting myself, even though I increased my income substantially (I moved positions every 1.5-2 years, plus upper end on the rating scales usually, meaning good raises). I am now fast tracking again, and am feeling welcomed and valued, which were two things I did not feel at Target. Again, my experience is different than others, but that KoolAid was very harsh.
@Former HQ .com team member - yup, just like you yourself don't speak for everyone. To each their own.
Agree..spent 6 years at target. Had a great experience. Leadership expectations is a fantastic framework if used the right way..
Sounds like you weren't successful in a challenging environment. I left Target 2 years ago, and I learned a lot in my time there, and came out making 2x what I started, with skills that landed me a great job elsewhere. I loved my time at Target, thought the Leadership Expectations were a great framework for thinking about my work, and had my confidence built up like no other place I've worked (which includes places like Wells Fargo and 3M). Sorry your experience sucked, but you don't speak for everyone.