Jobs at H&M desired by thousands of Estonians

Photo: AFP/SCANPIX

Swedish fashion chain Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) attracted thousands of job applications by Estonians seeking positions in company stores to be opened in Tallinn this fall.

According to Tiina Miettinen, H&M marketing director for Finland and Baltic States, the company almost drowned under the deluge of applications. Close to 150 people have, by now, been hired in Estonia – some possessing earlier experience from H&M stores in other countries.

«Oh my, the competition was brutal,» said a girl (23) studying clothing design in Tallinn (name known to Postimees – edit), who was declined from becoming a shop assistant. «But they do pay decent wages: for starters, all get €4.40 an hour,» claimed the young lady.

H&M did not disclose salaries. «That depends on positions, of course. But H&M does offer competitive wages and benefits, as well as career options,» said Ms Miettinen.

According to the Tallinn-dwelling student, requiting procedures came in three rounds: group interview organised by staffing company Manpower, individual interview, and lastly team tasks by H&M itself. To enrol into round one, some passed telephone interviews. «Teamwork meant we showed up, about a dozen of us; we were divided into two groups,» said the source.

«Both groups were to complete two tasks: one was decorating a shop window, the other putting price labels on clothes. During the latter, people kept coming up asking all kinds of questions, so you had to multitask,» described she.

According to Ms Miettinen, most of those hired have already been at trainings in existing H&M stores, mostly in Finland.

«We came here with a bunch of Estonians; but, in this store, I’m the only Estonian. Some will be able to be three of them [Estonians] together,» said a lady in her 20ies at training in a Finnish H&M store (name known to PM – edit).

The decorator-to-be said competition had been strong; but even though she was not educated as decorator, they hired her. «Now, it’s ten weeks in Helsinki, also Oulu and Turku. Two more weeks to go,» said the employee.

Ms Miettinen believes H&M has got an excellent team for Tallinn and they cannot wait to open doors. H&M opens shops at Kristiine and Rocca al Mare centres, as well as in the former post office building.