In this article, we are to see the Ann Taylor careers.
Introduction
Ann In. is an American retail chain store dealing with women’s apparel and accessories. It is an established brand in the fashion and retail world. It is known for its signature style and comfort and has a brand value among its customers. It was founded in 1954(67 years ago) by Richard Liebeskind at New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America.
Ascena Retail Group is the parent company of Ann Inc. The headquarter of Ann Inc. is in New York City. It is divided further into Ann Taylor, Loft, Lou & Grey, Ann Taylor Factory, and Loft Outlet. The store has a wide range of classic styled suits, separates, dresses, tops, shoes, blouses, accessories, pants, etc.
Ann Taylor is focused mainly on the fashion sensibility of modern, fashion-forward career women. The styles are breezy yet chic and comfortable, in soothing colors. The clothes are trendy to make you put your best fashion foot forward.
The mission of Ann Taylor
- Focus on comfortability and ease- People at Ann Taylor make sure that even if the designs are trendy, they make people feel comfortable. They do not hinder mobility; they make your life comfortable. But the most important thing to note is they do not compromise on style despite providing comfort.
- Commitment to Perfect Fit- People at Ann Taylor know that if the fabric does not fit perfectly, then even the most stylish of outfits would fail to impress. So they aim to provide perfect styling and fitting options to their customers. The fit of clothes seems perfect; even if you wear a basic cloth from Ann Taylor, people will notice it with awe.
- Redefining Style- The styles at Ann Taylor are not fashion made at the cost of comfort; they instead are made in a timeless way that combines elegance with modernity and comfort. The pieces are not fleeting trends that people get bored of in no time. They are classic pieces with clean styling and appropriate colors and prints that make them stand apart.
- Appreciating the little details while figuring out the big things in life- People at Ann Taylor know the importance of details in clothes. From the fabric to the design and styling, they make sure the final product is breathable and cozy. This feature is what makes the Ann Taylor clothes extraordinary.
- Focus on the customers and their delight- Ann Taylor is customer-centric and makes sure they are available to the customers at any time and place they want. Be it online shopping or in-store visits the store assistants are always there to assist the customers and make their shopping experience smoother.
Career
There are several career opportunities that one can apply for at Ann Taylor. For searching job openings, go to https://www.ascena.com/home/our-careers/work-with-us/.
For entry-level jobs, there are positions for Sales Associates. They are both part-time and full-time. The responsibilities of a Sales Associate include dealing with customers to maintaining cash registers and records of sales. It also includes managing the store, organizing it, and providing a recommendation of products to customers. For this job, one needs to be energetic and organized. If you are in this job, then you also have to dress up fashionably as well to be able to influence customers. You should also have good communication skills to understand the needs of customers and offer solutions.
There are also options for Management positions. Position of Supervisory Sales Lead is the first level in Management positions. And if one can grow and develop professionally and personally, they will be eligible for promotions within the company. The next level is of Assistant Store Managers and Store Managers. A candidate can qualify for such positions provided they have lots of proven work experience in this field. They should know about the process of recruitment and its requirements. They should impress the officials with their impeccable communication and the ability to manage work. They should have the ability to work in teams, manage them and also delegate tasks accordingly. They should also possess knowledge of the trends in current sales and offer solutions for the betterment. Candidates should be able to supervise other employees working under them.
In addition to these jobs, Ann Taylor also provides internship opportunities for college students who have a knack for retail and fashion. The internships are paid and offer a great starting point to the students. The selected candidates become eligible to receive personal training and guidance in the field. The training is given by industry leaders who have several years of expertise. The duration of the internship program is usually from 10 weeks to an entire semester. These internships also have a fair pay scale. Students who are college juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for these internships.
Hiring Age
Ann Taylor has a minimum hiring age of 18 years (that means an applicant must be at least 18 years old to work there). Age is the minimum requirement.
Apart from that, an applicant who wants to apply for entry-level jobs should have a high school diploma or GEDs. The job at Ann Taylor requires working 15 to 30 hours per week; that means one needs to be competent enough to do so.
The personality of the employee
The employee should be able to communicate well with customers. They should be friendly, motivated, and energetic. They should be able to convince the customers with their products and not sell just for the sake of selling. They should imbibe the core values of inclusivity, design, honesty, aim bigger in their personality.
Since this job deals with fashion and styling, the employee should be well acquainted with the latest trends. They should be fashionable themselves, then only customers will believe in their recommendation. They should be able to determine the correct sizing and styling for customers on an individual basis.
They should know Ann Taylor as a brand and its mission along with its history. They should be able to study the changing trends since the conception of the brand. The employees need to be passionate about the work and take a keen interest in the brand that Ann Taylor envisions to be.
They should also be able to work in teams, collaborate to provide a smooth experience to customers.
Benefits
- Health and wellness insurance
- Healthcare benefits- medical, dental, vision, life insurance, etc.
- There are several wellness programs as well- from the provision of fitness facilities to healthy meal options and much more.
- Disability coverage for both short-term and long-term is provided to disabled employees.
- Employee Assistance Plan is designed for financial planning.
- Health Saving Accounts
- The company wants its employees to lead a healthy work-life balance. TO achieve this, they also have measures in place.
- They also want people to live a carefree life even after retirement.
- Flexible hours
- Competitive pay
- Healthy work environment
- Career advancement opportunities.
- Paid vacation
- Leave of absence
- Purchase plans for stocks
Salary
- The salary for part-time Sales Associates depends on the location of the job. Since the minimum wages law of each country differs, so does the salary. For full-time jobs, the hourly pay scale ranges from $10 to $11.
- Stocking Associates earn around $14.84 per hour.
- A Stylist gets paid around $11.99 per hour.
- The salary of a Sales Lead employee is usually starting from $10 per hour.
- The Assistant Store Managers can earn anything from $30,000 to $40,000 per year.
- If you work at Ann Taylor as an intern, you could get paid in the range of $12 to $22.
In addition to the pay range, Ann Taylor gives benefits and a great experience of learning.
Application Process
- You need to go to the career page of Ann Taylor. In it, you get asked to choose the type of career you are looking for to apply.
- After selecting the career type, proceed to register with a username and password to create a profile.
- After registration, you need to upload your resume and fill in your details. The personal details will include your name, address, email id, contact number, etc.
- After filling the application form, you need to complete an assessment. The assessment will take around 30 minutes of your time. You will get about 50 seconds to answer each question. The questions are designed in a manner from which the recruiters can make sure that you are competent for the job or not.
- Questions will be there on retail scenarios, fashion advice, and your ability to manage work.
- After completing the assessment, you will have to provide three references.
- You will be called for an interview if your profile seems suitable to the recruiters.
- The interview process is done in a detailed manner and takes about 45 minutes to get completed. In some cases, even group interviews are held to interpret the personality of the applicant.
Probable Interview Questions
- Why do you want to work at Ann Taylors?
Talk about your interest in fashion and your desire to help people find their style. Also, mention your interest in the products of Ann Taylors.
- What is your greatest strength?
Talk about things that relate to the job you are applying for. And also mention those things that will enhance your ability to work in this field.
- What are your weaknesses?
Mention any weakness which does not hinder your chances of getting selected. Also mention that you are trying to overcome that weakness and do not present yourself as complacent.
- What constitutes good customer service for you?
A satisfied customer, with all of his/her needs met, constitutes good customer service. The conversation should be crisp and polite and the important issues addressed. The associate should make the customers feel good and confident with what they chose.
- How would you define your style?
Elaborate upon the ideology of fashion that you believe in. Be genuine.
- How would you deal with an upset customer?
Be polite and kindly tell them about your suggestions without offending them. Make sure to remain neutral and do not blame either the customer or the company.
- What will motivate you to work?
Describe your passion for this field. Do not say things like perks and benefits and money.
Tips for Interview
- Since it is a fashion-oriented job profile, you need to impress the panel with your fashion taste and wardrobe too. This attention to detail makes an impression that the candidate is very passionate about the job. It also depicts their passion in the field of fashion.
- You can also pick up some staple outfits from Ann Taylor to give off an impression of your knowledge of the brand and how well you can style its pieces and products.
- Interview questions for this job will range from fashion tips and inquiries to the history of the company and your intention of applying for this job.
- Make sure you are well prepared with the history of the company. Questions will also be there related to customer services.
- Be genuine and be you. Maintain eye contact and be confident.
- Know about your style. It will become your identity and motivate you.
- Follow up after an interview but at a time that is less busy for the store.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much time does it take to get called for an interview after the application submission?
It takes around a week or two to get a call for the interview.
- How are Ann Taylor and LOFT different?
Ann Taylor caters to a more professional outlook of dressing up. LOFT, on the other hand, is more casual and fun.
- Does Ann Taylor offer discounts to employees?
Yes. Ann Taylor’s employees get benefits in the form of special discounts.
- Does Ann Taylor offer a competitive environment at work?
Yes. Ann Taylor provides a great cultural environment. And it also gives opportunities for personal and professional growth. There are lots of promotion opportunities as well.
Conclusion
Ann Taylor is a company catering to women’s fashion. It is known for its style and comfort. It is trendy yet classic. To work in the company, you should also be fashion-forward and should know your style.
Ann Taylor offers several job opportunities, both part-time as well as full-time. It has retail as well as management career opportunities. The application process is simple and the interview process is smooth.
There are lots of benefits given to the employees and the work environment is challenging but full of growth potential.
The interview process is a test of your personality, your interest in fashion, and your passion for work.
