Costco

I worked really hard at Costco for 2.35 years and have been promoted to cross-trained supervisor. I feel like if you do a good job and have a good attitude, you can be noticed by management. Customer service with members is key, because writing those little notes can affirm that you are indeed doing a good job to management. I enjoy a fast pace and tons of fellow employees.

I've been cross-trained as an FE Supervisor for nearly 7 months now. It's hard to get them to promote me to full time. Starting at the beginning in the store will mean pushing carts. The holiday season is seriously hard work, and you have to develop a thick skin to deal with some members.

Sometimes you need to recognize that there is loose weight in your supervisor staff, and that there are talented people who are ready to come up and give great effort, just waiting for them to be ushered out.

You have to remember, "What would Jim Senegal want?"

Reward personnel based on performance over tenure. The company is only as good as the people who serve it.

Don't let great labor slip through your fingers. Take advantage of a slow economy and promote new talent within.