American TV & Appliance Career Opportunities

Employees at American take great pride in their careers. They are proud of the extraordinary service they provide American’s customers, the wide variety of products American has to offer, the beautiful stores and exciting atmosphere they work in, and the professionals they work with. American employees also take pride knowing that they receive some of the industries best training and have the opportunity to advance within the company.

Check out the variety of employment opportunities American offers in our Retail Stores, Distribution Centers, Service Center or Corporate Headquarters based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Use the links on the left to learn more about what American has to offer!

(Pictured at right Doug Reuhl, President and CEO)

Founded in 1954, American has built a market-leading reputation for exceptional customer service, selection, and price earning us numerous awards as an outstanding retailer of furniture, consumer electronics and appliances. Over the years, American has become known for building stunning, beautiful retail stores and for maintaining them meticulously.

Each store averages 125 employees and is approximately 130,000 square feet in size. Two distribution centers, on the outskirts of both Milwaukee and St Louis, as well as a 44,000 square foot service center in Madison support our retail operations. These 15 stores will generate total sales of approximately $450 million and employ over 2000 people.

Corporate headquarters are based in Madison, Wisconsin, with 15 current retail stores:

• Wisconsin (six stores): Madison East, Madison West, Brown Deer, Waukesha, Oak Creek, Appleton
• Illinois (three stores): Peoria, Rockford, O'Fallon
• Iowa (two stores): Des Moines, Davenport
• Missouri (three stores): Bridgeton, Fenton, Cottleville
• Michigan (one store): Marquette

Two important elements of American's mission and vision are to "serve and support the community" as well as our "dedication to community partnership". Nowhere is this more evident than in the support American and its employees give to the United Way. In addition to the various volunteer roles that American employees assume, from board members to volunteer fire fighters, American also supports numerous charitable and community organizations.

American's Mission, Values, and Vision

The moment you walk through our doors, you can see and feel the different retail environment that American offers. Our employees are professionals, dedicated to serving our customers. Our wide variety of products for the home, low prices, and excellent customer service keep customers coming back. You'll also find that our leaders at American have a love for new ideas and drive for innovation that fosters the energy and the drive to succeed in this competitive industry. And above all, our employees rank their co-workers as the number 1 reason for job satisfaction!

Testimonials

When we asked some of our employees what enticed them to join and stay at American, here is what they said:

"I am challenged daily. I feel my hard work and commitment to the company is recognized, and when appropriate, rewarded."

"I feel as though I am trained in a timely manner and have a friendly working environment."

"Working for American has given me a new respect for retail stores. American does everything it can to satisfy their employees and customers."

"Fun work environment. Most people here are like family."

Employee Feedback

As part of our ongoing effort to improve our workplace, we regularly survey employees to gather feedback which is used to improve upon our work environment. We survey new employees after 60 days of employment to gather feedback regarding their employment experiences thus far. American values new employees' views of our workplace, particularly our orientation, training, and ramp-up processes. We also conduct an annual survey to create our Employee Satisfaction Index (ESI). The ESI is an invaluable tool that allows American to keep abreast of the most compelling issues facing our coworkers. The exit interview is another significant aspect of American's Employee Feedback Process because opinions given by exiting employees provide a valuable, unique perspective on American as a workplace.

Training

As you get started in your career at American, you will participate in one or more of our various training programs. Whether it's on-the-job or more structured classroom training, you will find our managers are dedicated to providing their staff with the tools they need to be successful in their career.

GROUP HEALTH PLAN
Full-time employees are eligible to participate in the Group Health Plan on the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

DENTAL INSURANCE PLAN
Full and part-time employees are eligible to participate in the Dental Insurance Plan, which offers 2 levels of coverage and allows you to select the dentist of your choice.

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
All full-time employees will receive group life insurance, paid for by American . The benefit is equal to your annual compensation (rounded to the next higher $1,000). Your maximum benefit will not exceed $50,000 or be less than $13,000.

SHORT TERM DISABILITY PLAN
Short Term Disability Plan Full-time employees are eligible for the company sponsored plan. Eligibility begins on the first of the month after 30 days of employment. The maximum benefit is 13 weeks of coverage.

LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN
Should a full-time employee suffer a long term disability, he/she is financially assisted by our Disability Income Plan. The benefit begins day 91 and may dovetail with our Short Term Disability Plan.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
American’s Flexible Benefit Plan allows full and part-time employees the opportunity to reduce taxable earnings by setting aside part of your earnings before federal, state, and social security taxes are withheld from your paycheck. The money you set aside is reimbursed to you for qualified medical and daycare expenses you incur.

401(K) INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN

• All employees are eligible to contribute on the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
• American provides an employer match that is fully owned by the employee.
• Your eligibility for the company match begins the January 1st of July 1st after 6 months of employment.
• The company offers several investment options through the Vanguard Group.

PAID VACATION
Full-time employees who have completed at least one year of continuous full-time employment earn vacation on the following basis:






EMPLOYEE PURCHASE PLAN
American’s employee purchase policy provides a generous benefit to associates and their families. Our policy has been to sell our products to employees at cost plus a small charge and to families at half our mark up.

Sales Training to Achieve Results (STAR)
The learning experience for sales professionals at American begins with our "Sales Training to Achieve Results" (STAR) program. This two-week training program is facilitated by American's Corporate Training Department.

STAR is an in-depth program that has a combination of classroom training, activities, observation and follow-up development plan for each trainee. Each candidate will receive training in American's Question and Listening Sales Process, product knowledge, computer systems, policies, procedures, and customer service skills.

Question and Listening Sales Process Certification
The Question and Listening (Q&L) Sales Process is a very effective and proactive method of meeting the needs of our customers. Successful execution of the Q&L has shown to dramatically improve sales and, most importantly, our customer's satisfaction with those sales. To master this process, the sales professional must be a good communicator; one who asks good questions, listens carefully to what the customer has to say, matches the right product to the customer's needs, and helps the customer understand HOW the product meets their needs.

All sales professionals, as part of their performance standards, are required to be certified in the Q&L Sales Process. To help sales professionals achieve this goal of certification, the sales manager takes on the role of mentor and coach, works closely with newly hired employees (usually within the first two quarters of employment) and guides them toward "Mastery" execution of the process. Within the eight weeks of comprehensive training, the manager and the sales professional will submit role-plays of a sales situation to be evaluated by a mastery certifier. When all of the requirements for certification are met, the sales professional will be eligible for a bonus of up to $400.

American 5.0 (Customer Relations Training)
American 5.0 is the name of our customer relations training program. The 5.0 refers to a perfect customer satisfaction score of 5.0 on our Customer Satisfaction Index. The program is integrated with our STAR program for Sales Professionals, and is a stand-alone one-day training session for all other front-line employees.

Leadership Education & Advancement Program (LEAP)
American's Leadership Education and Advancement Program is focused on making the progression to a management position rewarding, challenging, and profitable. This one-year program offers extensive training and support to help management candidates quickly become successful when moving into the role of Sales Manager. The three phases of LEAP include:

Phase 1 - Orientation to American’s Sales Floor
This is an on-the-job orientation to American for recently hired management candidates. For at least the first 3 months, they will be mastering the computer system, our sales process, and product knowledge. As a sales manager you are responsible for coaching and developing your team, so this is a critical step in demonstrating your understanding and ability to execute the sales process.

Phase 2 - Classroom Training
Classroom training takes an interactive and realistic approach to helping candidates understand the importance of the leadership role of a Sales Manager. Subject matter experts from Training, Human Resources, Sales, Store Management, and Marketing Departments facilitate phase 2 learning.

Phase 3 - On-the-Job Learning
After completion of Phase 2 candidates will be given two blocks of on-the-job learning opportunities that are either self-directed or facilitated by the store manager. After each block is completed, LEAP candidates convene at Corporate Training to review written assignments and to expand discussions in order to solidify themes emphasized in each block.

Transition Phase
When a candidate is promoted into management, American provides transition training to help new managers to take what they have learned in LEAP and put it into practice on the sales floor.

Customer Assistance Training and Certification
All full and part-time employees complete Basic Training and Certification within the first 90 days of employment with American. Employees are provided computer, customer service, cashiering, and credit training as part of the Basic Training. Full time employees are also provided with Advanced Training within 10 months of starting with American. Computer, customer service, cashiering, and credit training is more in-depth during the Advanced Training.

As part of American's career progression in Customer Assistance, Customer Assistance Specialists that have completed the Advanced Training may be considered for Customer Assistance Supervisors. American provides on-the-job training, observation, and one-on-one training to help develop an expert level of knowledge in support matters. CA Supervisors help develop, train, and coach our Customer Assistance personnel.

American recognizes employee's good performance and outstanding customer service in a variety of ways. When our customers take the time and effort to send a letter or note of appreciation to recognize performance that exceeded their expectations, we list those employee's names in our Employee Newsletter ("American Now"). Each store will also recognize that employee by placing of copy of the letter in the employee's personnel file, posting the letter at the store and/or giving a gift certificate of appreciation.

American has a Sales Recognition and Performance Program that is designed to evaluate sales professionals performance. We evaluate both the effectiveness of the sales professional in the level of sales (through commissions earned) and the achievement of customer satisfaction (determined by a random survey of customers). Each quarter we recognize employees that meet the qualifications for "Honor Roll", "High Honor Roll", and "President's Elite". Those that meet President's Elite earn a $100 bonus for the quarter. At the end of the year, we recognize employees that have met the qualifications for "High Honor Roll- Golden Circle" by giving them a $400 bonus, and "President's Elite Club- Golden Circle" by giving them an extra week of paid vacation.

Each Spring American hosts an Awards Recognition Banquet where we recognize those employees that have earned a Hall of Fame Award, High Honor Roll- Golden Circle or President's Elite Club- Golden Circle.

Each location also hosts a quarterly breakfast to recognize Sales employees who have earned one of the three recognition levels and Support employees who have achieved high performance in their position or gone above & beyond to contribute to the company or community. Once a year, American holds a Recognition Breakfast to thank employees for their years of service (5, 10, 15, 20 yrs, etc.).

Much of American’s success is the direct result of our employees’ efforts to always aim high and support our company’s mission. American’s Hall of Fame program formally recognizes employees who have gone “above and beyond” our expectations by their willingness to consistently go that extra mile. Hall of Fame recipients are benefactors of exceptional service and efforts.

The Hall of Fame selection process begins with a written nomination by one or more co-workers who view the employee as having made significant contributions to American in achieving our mission and vision while demonstrating our values. Additional information and feedback is gathered on the nominated employee with members of the senior management team making the final selections.

Several rewards are in store for Hall of Fame recipients. In addition to a front-page, feature article in American’s employee newsletter, their portrait is displayed in our Corporate Offices “Wall of Fame” as well as at their store or facility location. An additional week of vacation is granted for the upcoming year. And, they are honored at the company’s annual awards banquet and ceremonies in the spring of each year.

American in the Community

Two important elements of American's mission and vision are to "serve and support the community" as well as our "dedication to community partnership".

Nowhere is this more evident than in the support American and its employees give to the United Way. For years, American has been a strong supporter of the United Way, the largest recipient of our philanthropic dollars.

Through the efforts of our associates, we also support many other local and national organizations such as: Easter Seals, Ronald McDonald House, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, American Cancer Society, Goodwill Industries, NAACP, YMCA, community theatrical and art organizations, local food and clothing banks, local law enforcement, and Susan G. Komen. American was the 2005 recipient of the Greater Madison Chapter of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Business/Corporation for our philanthropic commitment.

Being supportive of the communities where we do business in is an important part of what makes working for American different. At American we encourage associates to be involved in their communities. So whether our associates are donating their time to organize blood or food drives, coaching a junior high football team, volunteering on a local fire department, or assisting in "Days of Caring" for the local United Way chapter, one thing remains the same, their hard work and dedication continues to make our communities a better place to live and our company a better place to work.

College Recruiting

American takes an active role working with several colleges and universities in searching for students looking for careers in management. American participates in dozens of job fairs in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan. As American’s growth continues, we realize the importance of hiring graduates with energy, creativity, excellent communication skills, and leadership potential that will help us excel over our competition.

Senior executives have also participated as guest lecturers, working with professors to provide real world insight for retail and management classes. Not only is this an exciting opportunity for students to learn about American, it also gives American a chance to give back to the institutes from which many of our employees have graduated.

American is an excellent company to launch a professional career. With an industry leading training program and an extremely competitive compensation package, American takes great strides to help make your career successful.