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It seems hard as hell to get a job at these places. For those who have worked there, how does one go about getting a job at these stores?
How to get a job @ FTL/FTA/FINISHLINE?
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From my experience...
Do the online application. They'll call back (usually within a week or two) if they think you're qualified and give you a time to go in for an interview, which could either be a 1-on-1 or group setting...usually the latter. A helpful tip would be to wear a popular shoe that's from the store (for Finishline, they have those Brooks running shoes, so wear those if you have them. If not, just wear some free runs or something). Just don't come in there looking like a bum or you just got out from the gym and you should be good. During the interview, they just ask you common sense questions and try to get to know you a lil' bit more. Be outspoken, friendly, and show them that you're good for the job. When you're asked the cliche questions like "What are your biggest flaws," don't reply with "Nothing/I have none" because you'll just seem like a liar or you're hiding something - everybody has flaws. Rather, make it seem like you're being honest but don't give answers that would hurt your chances - think hard for about 10 minutes (before the interview of course) and you should be able to come up with a few decent ways to respond. Ask questions related to the job - it'll show that you listened and actually care. Basically, just stand out from the rest of the interviewees. But if you know people who work at these stores, then your chances of getting the job just doubled. Getting a job at these places is not hard. If you're in college, you're pretty much good money unless you screwed up during the interview. Good luck.
Do the online application. They'll call back (usually within a week or two) if they think you're qualified and give you a time to go in for an interview, which could either be a 1-on-1 or group setting...usually the latter. A helpful tip would be to wear a popular shoe that's from the store (for Finishline, they have those Brooks running shoes, so wear those if you have them. If not, just wear some free runs or something). Just don't come in there looking like a bum or you just got out from the gym and you should be good. During the interview, they just ask you common sense questions and try to get to know you a lil' bit more. Be outspoken, friendly, and show them that you're good for the job. When you're asked the cliche questions like "What are your biggest flaws," don't reply with "Nothing/I have none" because you'll just seem like a liar or you're hiding something - everybody has flaws. Rather, make it seem like you're being honest but don't give answers that would hurt your chances - think hard for about 10 minutes (before the interview of course) and you should be able to come up with a few decent ways to respond. Ask questions related to the job - it'll show that you listened and actually care. Basically, just stand out from the rest of the interviewees. But if you know people who work at these stores, then your chances of getting the job just doubled. Getting a job at these places is not hard. If you're in college, you're pretty much good money unless you screwed up during the interview. Good luck.
Working at these places is not fun. You stand all day, and when it's slow, it's super boring. You actually have goals and stuff you gotta reach. If you don't consistently, you're getting cut or at the least, get fewer hours. I hate how Finishline makes you bring out three pairs when the customer asks for a specific one. Two is good because you're bringing an upgrade that looks/performs better, but bringing a third pair that is opposite is just dumb. But those accessories that you gotta push are the most annoying pain in the ***. You have to demo all the products on customers (sprays and insoles) - you're pretty much wasting their time and your own time. I understand why they make you do it, more often Finishline, but less than 20% of the customers even care or pay attention. Some of the Assistant Managers can also piss you off with their "holier than thou" attitude, but just ignore them...only things most of them are good at are kissing *** to the manager and stealing sales from the associates. Between the two companies - Footlocker Inc and Finish line - I'd rather work for FTL Inc (Footlocker, Champs, Footaction). The work at Footlocker is definitely easier. You don't have to kiss *** to the customers as much to get them to buy products and don't have to excessively push those stupid accessories. There are also many more choices for basketball kicks like Kobes, KDs, and certain colorways of signatures. At Finishline, there are more options for running kicks like Brooks and Asics that most of us NTers don't give a damn about, but the vast option for the Nike running sneakers, though, is 
. The main difference between the two companies... people who work at finishline actually know about shoes: what material, what they're made for, how they can be used, what would best fit for your performance, etc. because they're forced to study the products in order to persuade people to buy them. At Footlocker, most of them are clueless. The only things they can tell you about the shoes are the release dates and colorways...if you ask questions about certain shoes, the responses to be expected are ones that are observable such as "They're light, has leather, look nice...so buy them man."
End rant....from an unbiased opinion.
. The main difference between the two companies... people who work at finishline actually know about shoes: what material, what they're made for, how they can be used, what would best fit for your performance, etc. because they're forced to study the products in order to persuade people to buy them. At Footlocker, most of them are clueless. The only things they can tell you about the shoes are the release dates and colorways...if you ask questions about certain shoes, the responses to be expected are ones that are observable such as "They're light, has leather, look nice...so buy them man." End rant....from an unbiased opinion.
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One thing my manager does is he rarely calls people. He'd rather people call him. That's how I got my interview and job. The biggest thing my manager looks for is a firm handshake and confidence. Make sure you work on that if you need to.
Pros about working at Finish Line
30% discount
Sometimes you can get a release date shoe without the stress of a line. Sometimes.
Get to see and try on shoes before everybody else. Just tried on the Raptor 7s yesterday.
If you do have to line up for shoes, you get a head start because you know how many pairs you guys got, so it gives you more of an idea to plan ahead
Real chill and fun job sometimes (if you have the right management)
Get to try on all the shoes you want.
Cons:
They push you on EVERYTHING. If you don't sell a certain number of cleans, laces, and insoles by the end of the week, you'll get a meeting at like, 6 AM.
If you don't sign enough people for Winner's Circle, they'll get on you, too
Makes you bring 3 pairs. 1 is what the customer asks for, something similar to give them an option to see if they might like that one more, the last being something different that the customer might wanna buy along with the pair they ask for. For example, if a customer wants a Free Run 3, I bring out the Free Run 3 they ask for, a Reebok RealFlex to compare in case they might like that better, and a pair of $20 Nikes that they might wanna throw that on with their Free Runs. HATE, HATE, HATE this. Because as dude above me said, very rarely do dudes care about the other options you bring out. Not only does it waste both your and your customers' time grabbing them, you have to put them back when they turn you down, which they usually do because they know what they want.
Some managers are anal about this, some aren't. Mine doesn't really care. You ALWAYS have to bring out something, even if you don't have his size. For example, dude wants an AM95 in a 10? Last one in the store and it's a size 9. They'll make you grab something you think he'll like or similar even though 99% of the time, they'll say no. Nothing similar in the store? Running low on options. Nothing left to do but to graba a random AF1 or something you guess the guy might like, even though he'll probably say no. Basically, they don't ever want you to come out empty handed.
Make you measure feet before you go grab a shoe. Another thing I hate. Wastes both you and your customers' time as well because chances are, they know their damn size.
If you're not meeting your numbers, they'll threaten to replace you. Seriously.
They make you start a conversation with a customer no matter what. Even if it's obvious they don't wanna talk to you and just wanna be left alone, you have to do it anyway.
Filling holes.
Fulfilling online orders. Basically gotta grab stuff people ordered off of finishline.com, scan it out, and package it up.
Not sure if this is a pro or con, but you have to know your stuff. This isn't just a "oh, can you grab this for me? Sure, I'll be right out" No, it's more along the lines of, "What can you tell me about this shoe?" or "I'm looking for a good running shoe, what can you suggest for me and why?"
Pros about working at Finish Line
30% discount
Sometimes you can get a release date shoe without the stress of a line. Sometimes.
Get to see and try on shoes before everybody else. Just tried on the Raptor 7s yesterday.
If you do have to line up for shoes, you get a head start because you know how many pairs you guys got, so it gives you more of an idea to plan ahead
Real chill and fun job sometimes (if you have the right management)
Get to try on all the shoes you want.
Cons:
They push you on EVERYTHING. If you don't sell a certain number of cleans, laces, and insoles by the end of the week, you'll get a meeting at like, 6 AM.
If you don't sign enough people for Winner's Circle, they'll get on you, too
Makes you bring 3 pairs. 1 is what the customer asks for, something similar to give them an option to see if they might like that one more, the last being something different that the customer might wanna buy along with the pair they ask for. For example, if a customer wants a Free Run 3, I bring out the Free Run 3 they ask for, a Reebok RealFlex to compare in case they might like that better, and a pair of $20 Nikes that they might wanna throw that on with their Free Runs. HATE, HATE, HATE this. Because as dude above me said, very rarely do dudes care about the other options you bring out. Not only does it waste both your and your customers' time grabbing them, you have to put them back when they turn you down, which they usually do because they know what they want.
Some managers are anal about this, some aren't. Mine doesn't really care. You ALWAYS have to bring out something, even if you don't have his size. For example, dude wants an AM95 in a 10? Last one in the store and it's a size 9. They'll make you grab something you think he'll like or similar even though 99% of the time, they'll say no. Nothing similar in the store? Running low on options. Nothing left to do but to graba a random AF1 or something you guess the guy might like, even though he'll probably say no. Basically, they don't ever want you to come out empty handed.
Make you measure feet before you go grab a shoe. Another thing I hate. Wastes both you and your customers' time as well because chances are, they know their damn size.
If you're not meeting your numbers, they'll threaten to replace you. Seriously.
They make you start a conversation with a customer no matter what. Even if it's obvious they don't wanna talk to you and just wanna be left alone, you have to do it anyway.
Filling holes.
Fulfilling online orders. Basically gotta grab stuff people ordered off of finishline.com, scan it out, and package it up.
Not sure if this is a pro or con, but you have to know your stuff. This isn't just a "oh, can you grab this for me? Sure, I'll be right out" No, it's more along the lines of, "What can you tell me about this shoe?" or "I'm looking for a good running shoe, what can you suggest for me and why?"
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apply
6 Rings G.O.A.T.
Supporter
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You got to apply..
Then follow through..to get a interview..
Then follow through..to get a interview..
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- Jul 21, 2012
thanks for the advice. i'll apply to my local finish line soon and call em to follow up. hopefully i can get a call back or interview..
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- Jul 21, 2012
another question: do they have to say that they're hiring? or you can just randomly apply and then they'd set up an interview?
