From Christmas Helper to Assistant Store Manager. How do I find my place in Rituals?

Sometimes the career path takes place quite unexpectedly. You just need to find a place that gives you space to learn, grow and gain experience from scratch. At Rituals, growth is possible both in initial positions, such as Rituals Advisor, as well as through participation in seasonal projects or sales support during the most intense periods of the year.

This is how Julia Sonik began her journey, who today develops as Assistant Store Manager at Rituals in Bytom. Interestingly, she had never planned a career in the beauty industry before. As she herself admits, it was the atmosphere, relationships and teamwork of the place where she initially came “only for a moment”, that made her decide to stay longer.

From seasonal work to managerial position 

Julia came to Rituals initially as a Christmas helper. She worked seasonally for several months, supporting the team during the most intense period of the year.

“It was supposed to be a casual job,” he recalls.

After the end of the season, the store manager approached her with a proposal to return. First she worked part-time, then full-time, until finally there was an opportunity to develop as an Assistant StoreManagerka in Bytom.

For many people, the opportunity to develop within a single organization is one of the most important aspects of work today. It is not only about the promotion itself, but also about the feeling of stability and security. Developing in an environment whose values and work culture are already known allows you to enter a new role more easily without having to completely change your professional environment.

“I think that if there is another opportunity for development, I will also try to continue,” adds Julia.

The very awareness that the company gives the opportunity to develop is extremely important for employees today. After all, over time, we become attached to people, the atmosphere and the way we work. If the organization additionally supports internal development, it is difficult to imagine a better professional scenario.

Do you need to have experience in the beauty industry? 

Interestingly, Julia was not previously associated with the beauty industry. She worked in gastronomy and, as she herself says, was not particularly interested in the world of beauty.

“For example, I hardly paint myself and I was not very interested in the beauty industry before,” she admits.

As he emphasizes, the most important turned out to be contact with people, openness and willingness to learn. The rest can be learned already on the spot through training and implementation.

— “You can enter Rituals practically from the street...”

This shows how often we limit our professional opportunities ourselves, assuming that we do not fit into the industry in question. Meanwhile, at Rituals onboarding and the implementation process are a natural part of the job. The brand focuses on employee development from the ground up, providing training, educational materials and support from more experienced team members. Although candidates often lock themselves in their “industry bubbles” thinking: “this is not for me”, well-organized companies are increasingly looking for openness, commitment and the desire to grow above all.

Working “from the kitchen”: what does the Assistant Store Manager's everyday life look like? 

The daily life of Assistant Store Manager at Rituals is of course the implementation of specific duties and taking care of professional customer service. However, in practice, work is primarily based on relationships, both with clients and with the team. Instead of a rigid approach to sales, employees learn to build an atmosphere and care about the customer experience together. It is this holistic approach that keeps the standards of service high and at the same time the place retains a friendly and calm character.

Julia emphasizes that it all starts with the atmosphere in the team.

“We want employees to feel safe, because then they can give the same to customers.”

Details are of great importance here: tea offered to customers at the entrance, calm conversation, the opportunity to test products or an individual approach to the needs of each person.

“We treat customers more like guests than 'someone to serve. '”

It's hard to describe Rituals' philosophy better — a place where the customer experience is built through small gestures, mindfulness and genuine care.

Values that go beyond company passwords 

More and more companies communicate their values through slogans and employer branding. But the question is: do they really translate into everyday work?

According to Julia, at Rituals it is.

In the daily operation of the store, relationships, responsibility for the team and workspace and small actions that build a good atmosphere are of great importance.

“It's the small details that build success.”

Brand values are also reflected in the benefits offered to employees. One of the things Julia values the most is the possibility of using psychological support — which nowadays is becoming one of the key areas of taking care of the well-being of employees.

“We have the possibility of two meetings a month with a psychologist. It's a huge value, especially during intense periods like the holidays.”

Employees can also test new products as part of the so-called Ambassador Bags, so that later they can more easily advise customers based on their own experience.

The team you want to return to 

In the end, it is the people who create the workplace. Although teamwork is never completely without challenges, it can become one of the most important pillars of everyday comfort and a sense of support.

“When I have a bad day and I go to work, I know it will be better.”

As Julia says, part of the acquaintance with Rituals has turned into real friendships, and the atmosphere in the team makes work more than just the performance of duties.

Julia's story shows that a career path does not always have to be carefully planned from the beginning. Sometimes it is a random decision, seasonal work or openness to new experiences that lead to a place where you really want to grow. At Rituals, growth is not based solely on positions or structures — relationships, a sense of security and a work culture that encourages you to stay longer are also important.