Microsoft Posts Retail Store Positions

Microsoft has posted the job listings for five of the positions that will eventually staff its two retail stores in California and Arizona, and the listings have none of the inspiration, vision or excitement of Apple’s corresponding job positions. The listings posted yesterday are for assistant store manager, trainer, inventory associate, sales associate and technical advisor. Most of the positions have standard requirements, including strong communication skills, the ability to multi-task and strong presentation skills. The assistant manager’s position includes a requirement for three to five years of experience in high-traffic retail, store management and people management. The technical advisor position requires two years of teaching or training, and prefers Microsoft certifications. In describing the sales associate position, Microsoft focuses on the hiring details, instead of the inspiration. Microsoft ticks off the essential job functions as including, “Provide customized solutions to ‘new’ purchasers that meet their needs and exceed their expectations.” In contrast, Apple’s Web site describes their positions as, “Less of a job, more of a calling,” and says employees have a, “license to change the world.” Download (pdf) the five job listings or surf Microsoft’s Careers Web page.