Laid Off Software Worker Turns to Reddit for Advice on Target Jobs
A Reddit user who said they were recently laid off from a software role posted to r/Target on November 20, 2025 asking for guidance about moving into a Target retail position. Community responses laid out practical steps, role recommendations and frontline realities that matter to workers weighing a transition into seasonal or part time retail work.
On November 20, 2025 a Reddit user in the r/Target community described being laid off from a software job and asked whether a seasonal or part time position at Target would be a sensible next step. The thread quickly drew responses from current and former Target team members who offered specific, experience based advice about which store roles suit career changers, how pay and benefits typically work, and what to expect during the holiday rush.
Commenters recommended guest services, fulfillment and Drive Up as common entry points for people coming from non retail backgrounds. The conversation covered practical questions about starting pay and eligibility for benefits, and it clarified distinctions between seasonal roles, On Demand scheduling and regular part time employment. Several contributors noted that seasonal positions can sometimes convert to regular roles after the holiday season, a point that may be especially relevant to workers seeking short term income that could turn into longer term stability.
The thread also gave a candid view of holiday work. Contributors described heavier workloads, long hours and a fast pace during peak shifts, along with scheduling variability that can challenge workers balancing family or second jobs. In contrast respondents also highlighted onboarding processes and opportunities for advancement, suggesting that Target can serve as both a stop gap and a pathway for employees who demonstrate reliability and customer service skills.
Community members emphasized how job seekers should frame their experience for interviews or resumes. The guidance leaned toward highlighting transferable soft skills such as teamwork, customer service, reliability and the ability to learn new processes. Personal anecdotes from team members illustrated how those competencies helped people move from seasonal assignments into steady roles or into other positions within the company.
Several commenters described company benefits that matter to hourly staff, including the Dream to Be education benefit and a 10 percent team member discount. Those descriptions provided a contrast to corporate recruiting materials by adding frontline perspective about how benefits, pay and scheduling feel in day to day work.
For workers navigating layoffs or career pivots the Reddit thread offers practical, qualitative insight into what joining Target looks like in practice. The accounts underline both the potential advantages, such as immediate employment and education perks, and the trade offs, including physical demands and intense holiday schedules. For anyone considering the move the community guidance suggests weighing immediate financial needs against the realities of store life, and preparing application materials that foreground customer service and teamwork.