Education · 1 of 4

The path

Hire-then-promote. You can be a manager in your mid-20s without a degree.

1. 1

   High school, with a part-time job

   Grades 11 and 12

   Get on the floor at 16 or 17. Show up, sell, and get noticed.

2. 2

   Sales associate to key holder

   1 to 2 years

   Opening and closing the store, handling cash, covering for the manager.

3. 3

   Supervisor or assistant manager

   1 to 3 years

   Scheduling, training new staff, handling complaints. Some chains run formal management training programs at this stage.

4. 4

   Store manager

   Year 3 to 6

   Full responsibility for sales, staff, stock and the profit line. Often starts at a smaller store.

5. 5

   Bigger store, district manager or head office

   Ongoing

   The ladder continues into multi-store and regional roles.