Vantaggi
The initial training received was probably some of the most in-depth and thorough training I have/ will ever get from an employer. They definitely allow you to make decisions and it is an incredible learning experience.
Svantaggi
Unfortunately, Nordstrom has created a "kill or be killed" mentality with their management. Speaking as a former manager, I can tell you that in theory, they have wonderful company morals however they seldom, if ever, practice what they preach. They encourage you to use fear tactics to manage your teams, which is a result of a trickle down effect because that is how they manage their managers. They insist that they promote from within and look out for their people but that is the farthest thing from the truth. They have unknowingly created a culture where they fire whoever, whenever, without even the slightest of acknowledgement that a person was even there before and this has- as a result instilled a culture where managers won't leave on time in fear of a 9 hour day being perceived as "slacking". You never know where you stand with your store manager and their opinion of you can change without reason at the drop of a hat. I have managed in quite a few high volume, high sales target environments and I have never been in such a toxic and unhealthy environment in my life as I was at Nordstrom.