This is where it’s going to get lengthy. They hire you under the guise that CLZ is a fun place to work with normal working hours and a great training program in NYC to get you up to speed and fully immersed. The training program, though very informative, is both grueling and boring. Much of it was spent as a sales associate in the 5th Ave store and the other half is sku memorization. The training manager is kind but takes herself too seriously and treats you like you’re 10 years old and most definitely reports everything back to upper management as it comes back to haunt you later. EVERYTHING is tallied up and held against you.
Fast forward to landing on your feet back in your district and it’s a nightmare. I could never have imagined how bad it would get. I was essentially hired to fire everyone which just isn’t me but let me tell you it is absolutely the European way. My brand manager was ruthless and a tyrant who constantly let her temper show and was allowed to get away with it. HR is super kind but is more of a figurehead and doesn’t do anything to help.
I don’t think there was a week I didn’t wake up or end my day in tears. I managed so many fun and enthusiastic people who always were looking for help. CLZ likes to pretend like you let store managers run their ship but it’s not true. Everyone is micromanaged. If you don’t fire someone they’ll wind up quitting and then you’re stuck as a glorified sales associate but being paid a DM salary. Forget work/life balance. If you aren’t in store you are on your phone constantly or the iPad. It’s exhausting. I noticed almost no one has a personal life and I get why. They work you to the bone.
The best thing I ever did was leave this company. It turned me into someone I’m not. Please proceed with caution.
