History of Zales

Founded back in 1924, you can find Zales’ main headquarters in Irving, Texas.   Today, they are one of the leaders, when it comes to fine jewelery in North America.   You can find more than 1,200 of their retailer stores located in most malls.   You can find them throughout the United States, as well as Canada.   Today, they employ over 14,000 employees.

Zale Corporation is the biggest operator of retail jewelry stores in the United States. Zale’s 1,177 stores, situated in 48 states, as well as in Puerto Rico and Guam, produced $1.4 billion in sales in 1995, achieving net earnings of $31.5 million and a return to profitability since the company’s insolvency reorganization in the early 1990s.

Zale stores manage within four distinct divisions namely  the Zales division, with 534 stores in 48 states and Puerto Rico representing 42 percent of company incomes, centers on mainstream, middle-income consumers, and focuses heavily in diamonds, second is the Gordon’s division, positioned as a regional retailer for the lower and middle-income consumer, with 332 stores operating mainly under the Gordon’s name providing 26 percent of Zale Corp., the upscale Fine Jewelers Guild division accounts for 19 percent of company incomes and includes 123 stores operating under the Bailey, Banks & Biddle, Zell Bros., Sweeney’s, Corrigan’s, and Linz trade names, the fourth division, Diamond Park Fine Jewelers, manages 188 leased jewelry departments for such leading department store chains such as Dillard’s and Dayton Hudson, providing 13 percent of company profits.

Hours of Operation:   Mon-Sat: 10:00am-9:00pm; Sun: 12:00am-6:00pm

Minimum Age to Work Here:   18 years old

Positions Available:   Customs Compliance Manager, Communications Specialist, Finance Director, Financial Analyst, Sales Professional, Operations Assistant, Assistant Manager, Branch Security Officer, Credit Services Marketing Specialist, Marketing Manager, Store Manager, Marketing Loyalty Program Manager, Buyer, Bench Jeweler, Lead Distribution Clerk, Marketing Product Manager, Staff Accountant, IT Business Analyst, Accountant, Director of Purchasing, Credit Services Marketing Specialist Distribution Clerk, Jewelry Consultant, Customer Service Representative

Background Check Required?  Yes

Negotiation:   There is no room for negotiation.

Job Description / Average Wage

Sales Associate: You’re going to be in charge of helping the customer when they enter the store.   You will help them with any questions they have, as well as showcase the jewelry and more.   You will help them try on items, place orders, as well as clean jewelry.   In your downtime, you will do miscellaneous work, as well as clean the store.

The average wage is from $7 to $14 a hour.

Manager: You will be in charge of running the store.   You will open up the store, as well as close it.   You will create the schedules, as well as make sure that the customers are happy.   You may have to override transactions, and more.   If anything happens, you will report to the district manager.

The average wage starts around $40,000 a year.

Sales Manager:  A sales manager will direct the actual allocation or movement of a product or service to the customer. This scrutinizes sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory prerequisites and supervise the preferences of customers. A sales manager will confer or consult with department heads to plan advertising services and to secure information on equipment as well as client specifications.

The average salary for this particular job is around $29,000 to $44,000 annually.

Staff Accountant: As Staff Accountant, you will be liable for month-end close processes including investigation of cost of sales activities. You will also be accountable for monthly general ledger reconciliations related to inventory accounts and the research/resolution of reconciliation topics. Usual tasks include preparing/posting journal entries as well as evaluating inventory adjustments for suitability and accurateness.

The average wage is around $42,000 — $58,000 a year.

Customs Compliance Manager: The position is liable for ensuring compliance to all customs related regulations for Zale Corporation.  This guarantees the execution and timely implementation of all U.S. and Canadian Customs compliance procedures. The assigned person will perform periodic audits of customs compliance procedures related to all features of import and export activities also record keeping.

The average wage is around $48,000 to $60,000 annually.

Communications Specialist: This position is liable for the synchronization, development and dissemination of communications for all internal audiences, including corporate and field workers, in a range of formats. This role works collaboratively with lots of areas of the business and all levels of leadership to make sure messages are aligned and communications are clear, brief and complete. This serves as a communications consultant to develop well-timed and effective communications related to store operations, marketing, merchandising, human resources also other business areas.

The average wage for this job is $40,000 — $75,000 a year.

Jewelry Consultant: In this position, you are accountable for identifying and fulfilling their customers’ needs, also maximizing personal and store performance. You will learn from the finest by means of undergoing a complete new employee training program that teaches all the facets of vending fine jewelry from making triumphant sales presentations, to the features and benefits of a variety of types of merchandise, to the most effectual ways of using the tools of the trade.

The hourly wage is $10-$11.

Atmosphere and Perks

If you want to start your career in the jewelry industry, this company is indeed the right place for you. Full-time employees that qualify are eligible for benefits packages. As with many companies, Zales offers paid vacations and sick days as well as short and long-term disability. Other benefits include a 401(k) plan, tuition reimbursement options,  full medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policies. Zales also offers exceptional incentives programs including weight watchers, programs to quit smoking, discounts on Zales products, and a lot more of job perks.

Interview Questions

How familiar are you with many types of jewelry?

Are you passionate about jewelry?

What is your favorite kind of jewelry?

What kind of experience do you have in customer service?

Do you have any experience in jewelry sales?

Will you be able to recommend products to the customer according to his wants and likes?

What would you do if you caught a coworker stealing jewelry from Zales?

How would you assess your skills in selling?

How long will you be working in this company in case you will be hired?

Interview Tips

A leader in the jewelry industry, Zales  job interview process is very extensive as part of the stringent requirements in screening potential applicants. Zales interview takes in several steps, including a one-on-one session with a hiring manager, drug screening, background check, and personality assessment are undertaken. During the interview, dress professionally, show enthusiasm, speak clearly  and stay calm and prepared for any questions. Usual questions will revolve on your knowledge and skills in making jewelry sales and in dealing with the co-workers and the customers. Exude confidence and answer each question to the best of your ability.

Benefits

• Great health package that includes medical, dental, vision and more.
• Paid time off that includes vacation, holidays and more.
• Disability
• Savings plan that includes 401K and more
• Tuition reimbursement and more…

How to Apply

If you want to apply for a job over at Zales, there are a few ways that you can do so.   For starters, since you will find that most jobs are found in the malls, you can request an application in store.     You will find that you can also apply for jobs online as well.   You can apply for a job here.