As a Sales Associate I was responsible for greeting customers and helping them find the perfect gift, card, and wrap for whatever occasion they were shopping for.

We ran the cash register for the customers after they made their selections. 

We were also responsible for unpacking, pricing, and merchandise new items sent to us from our warehouse.  

Our store also received online orders and we were responsible for finding those items on the sales floor and once the order was filled, packing them up and getting them ready to mail to the customers.

We also were responsible for cleaning the store each night which usually meant sweeping or vacuuming the floors and emptying the garbage.  

You had to be at least 18 years old to work as a Sales Associate at Hallmark.  The Manager was responsible for training you for the job you were hired for.

The typical starting salary was minimum wage.  If you performed well and met all the criteria required for your position you received a raise at your performance review each year. The amount of the raise was determined by how well you did your job.  If you went above and beyond what you were required to do you received a bigger raise in pay.

There are Sales Associates, Key Holders, and Managers at each Hallmark store however, there is also Corporate Hallmark where all the artists who make the cards and ornaments work.  Corporate Hallmark also houses the people who make sure the stores run smoothly and they take care of the business side of Hallmark.  Corporate Hallmark is in Kansas City, Missouri.  Hallmark stores are all over the United States. Sales Associate jobs at Hallmark stores open frequently because it is a part time job and therefore does not supply insurance or benefits and cannot support a family.  It is a very flexible job, however, and allows you to work short amounts of time on many different days.

The best part of my job was working with the customers and helping them find their gifts.  I also loved seeing all the new items that came in the store and really enjoyed opening the boxes from the warehouses - it was like Christmas every day!  I loved Christmas time at Hallmark and seeing all the ornaments and musical things they made.  We also received a really good discount on everything we bought just because we worked there!

We were expected to be able to lift the heavy boxes from the warehouses and climb 10 foot ladders to put items away in the back room.  We were also on our feet most of the time during our shift - so good shoes are a must!!

Always be friendly, courteous, and happy and enjoy the product you sell!!!