Hi Elina, great that you're telling us more about your work as a Floor Specialist at the Zalando Outlet – thank you for your time. Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to Zalando.
I’m originally from Latvia, but my studies took me across Europe – from Latvia to Denmark and eventually to Germany. Now that I live here, in the beautiful Palatinate region. I initially started as a Sales Assistant about two weeks after the Zalando Outlet Store opened in October 2023.
Can you tell us a bit more about your role and responsibilities?
Today, part of my role as a Floor Specialist is to ensure that daily tasks run smoothly and contribute to the overall success of our store. Through close collaboration with the team and my team lead, we work towards reaching our goals and continuously improving.
Each week brings new challenges, but I always strive to improve our performance, monitor KPIs, and do my best together with the team – both for our customers and for the company.
What do you like most about your job in the Outlet store?
What I appreciate most about my job is that every day brings new opportunities. Whether it’s handling a variety of tasks, taking on new responsibilities, or interacting with a wide range of people – there’s always something new to experience.
The opportunity to learn and grow not only helps me improve myself but also enables me to share valuable knowledge with my team and support their development. This way, we can offer our customers the best possible shopping experience. That’s what makes working in our Outlet store so exciting.
I’m part of a young and dynamic team, and each day offers new opportunities for personal and shared growth. Together, we continuously strive to improve and evolve to ensure we contribute to the store’s success while also progressing individually.
What motivates you in your job every day?
First and foremost, my team lead and my team. Their support and collaboration inspire me to give my best every day.
The variety of opportunities, challenges, and tasks that come with my role keeps me motivated, and when I see the results of my efforts, it drives me to keep going.
I can contribute to improving our performance, help the team grow, and optimize the customer experience. This sense of progress and achievement is a big motivator for me.
How would you describe the team culture at the Outlet?
Our team culture is very open and dynamic. Every team member is encouraged to share ideas, ask questions, and give feedback openly. Respect is at the core of everything we do, so that everyone feels valued and treated equally.
Each person is appreciated for their unique contributions, and mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn and improve, rather than setbacks. Both individual and team successes are celebrated because we know that our growth and achievements are interconnected and ultimately contribute to our overall success as a team.
How would you describe teamwork in your team?
For me, teamwork means that we’re stronger together. It’s about combining our individual strengths and ideas to achieve a common goal. Everyone brings their unique perspective and skills and can contribute in a meaningful way.
The opportunity to exchange ideas and work together towards a shared vision is what makes teamwork so powerful. As a team, we can overcome challenges more effectively and achieve things we wouldn’t be able to do alone.
What do you enjoy about working in retail?
No two days are the same, as there are always new customers, products, and challenges. Retail also offers the chance to connect with people, understand their needs, and offer solutions, which can be very fulfilling. There’s often a sense of satisfaction when you see customers leave happy or when sales targets are met.
Can you tell us a bit about your personal development at Zalando and what your future might look like?
My personal journey at Zalando has been both fulfilling and exciting. I started as a Sales Assistant and was promoted to Senior Sales Assistant within a few months, which gave me more responsibility and allowed me to deepen my understanding of the business.
This development eventually led to my current role as a Floor Specialist, where I have the opportunity to lead by example and contribute to the team’s overall success. So up until now, I’ve already had the chance to learn from various roles and develop new skills.
The opportunities at Zalando are endless and I look forward to continuing to work with my team to improve our performance and reach new goals. I’m excited about the future and want to further develop my leadership skills and grow together with Zalando.
Who or what inspires you?
First of all, my team is a great inspiration to me. Their commitment, creativity, and passion drive me to do my best.
By networking with other teams and people at Zalando, I gain fresh perspectives and new approaches that inspire me. The variety of tasks I get to work on also plays an important role, as every day feels like an opportunity for growth.
One of my biggest sources of inspiration is the ability to provide our customers with a seamless and memorable offline shopping experience. It’s exciting to see how every interaction with our customers helps to build a strong connection to the brand. Ultimately, it’s the collaboration with such a talented and diverse group of individuals – as well as the chance to create positive experiences for our customers – that fuels my inspiration.
What tip would you give to colleagues in the Outlet who just started or changed careers?
My advice to anyone who recently started their career in our store or switched into retail would be to remember that obstacles are not setbacks but opportunities to learn.
Every challenge you encounter is a chance to grow and improve. It’s important to take initiative and proactively look for ways to contribute instead of waiting for things to happen. Don’t hesitate to ask questions – that’s how you learn and develop new skills.
Take each day as it comes, knowing that it brings new opportunities to improve and grow. Every step leads to bigger opportunities.
Would you like to be part of our Outlet team? Learn more about our open positions, locations and teams.
