Just accepted an offer for an ETW role in product creation. What should I know before starting this journey?
15 replies (most recent on top)
I was an ETW for several years across multiple contracts and I have nothing to show for it after the latest reorg blew up our team. new leaders brought in who were openly hostile to ETWs. new directors and leads who did not care about the work I did or my history with the team.
Nike HR loves to hire from within Nike. meaning it's harder than ever to get an FTE role if you don't already have one.
converting to FTE is a rare exception, not the norm, so don't expect that to happen, even though they will dangle that carrot.
you're disposable and replaceable. so stay on the job hunt while you work there.
What to expect? Broken and catty men in leadership roles (manager and above) who can’t have a disagreement without holding a grudge or gossiping behind closed doors.
Name a team and the initials of its leaders if you want specifics.
Use it as a way to look for another Job while getting paid
Bears repeating with one modification
Dim the lights
I hope your contract agency informed you that you will lose months of pay
Literally run. There’s over 70 openings within the design teams… over 200 openings at WHQ the last time I checked.
They laid off all the innovators and people who are dedicated to the brand and pushing it forward. The majority that’s left are yes people or clout chasers.
Literally run their biggest release/announcement was the Kim k collab… embarrassing.
I can’t speak to footwear but if on the apparel side I think your help will be HIGHLY appreciated! Everyone is incredibly overworked right now so any additional hands to help will add some relief. That said, if new to Nike the onboarding takes FOREVER and no one has the capacity to take it on so don’t expect much. The more of a scrappy self-starter you are the more you will succeed as well as be appreciated. That said, as others called out below, don’t come in expecting a black badge any time soon. Between being in the 4th quarter and business being abismal, not much opportunity right now, no matter how overworked the team is.
Oops! You just made one of the worst decisions in your life. If you can, leave right now. Otherwise, be prepared to have one of the worst days of your life. The first couple of months will be the best, but then it will go downhill before you know it. Hope you are ready to talk to a therapist.
Black badges won’t give a cr-p about you and you’ll be given work lower than your education and experience. Do not start this contract
a long dark gloomy trek is ahead for you
pack an emergency kit
fiscal year ending in 2.5 month (5/31). even if the ETW engagement is signed for longer, budget not guaranteed and can end whenever.
Don’t expect to be converted to FTE unless you get extremely lucky.
hopefully it is not A role in the bowerman footwear lab. The worst director level leadership in all of nike product
Do you have any experience in product? If not, plan for 1-2 years of contracting before a potential hire. Money is tight and market is extremely competitive.
Dim the lights
I hope your contract agency informed you that you will lose weeks of pay
keep your expectations low
career expectations even lower
get used to working with nepobabies who have no clue about product