Employment at Big 5
Big 5 Sporting Goods is an all-American chain of sports retail stores that sells everything from footwear and apparel to fitness equipment and fishing gear. The company was founded in 1955 and this is actually how it got its famous name. Big 5 has grown considerably since then and it currently owns 438 stores in as many as 11 states in Western America. Submit your Big 5 application today for a chance to work at one of the veteran sporting goods stores in the country!
Big 5 Application
The company has recently changed its application process and it does not provide a printable jobs and employment form anymore. Instead, all candidates for Big 5 careers are able to apply through the company’s online application portal, which they can easily access from the official site, www.big5sportinggoods.com.
If you are interested in a career at Big 5 Sporting Goods, then click on the link above, go to the bottom and click on the Careers button, which will redirect you to the Big 5 application portal.
To start your search, click on the Find Jobs and Apply Online button, but make sure to look at the special offers on the main page as well. At the moment, Manager Trainees and Assistant Manager Big 5 careers are available in several locations and it seems the company is in a rush to fill them.
The main Big 5 Job Search engine allows you to include a keyword, your location and the hiring status (hiring now or hiring soon) in order to find the best possible position for you. Look the available positions that the portal provides for you and explore it by clicking on the job titles to find out more details.
When you find a Big 5 career that you want to be considered for, click on the Apply button in the job description to begin the application process. The employment portal will provide you with a list of several other Big 5 locations within a 15-mile radius of the one you are applying at that have the same position available.
By selecting as many of these as you want you will be able to submit your Big 5 application to all the stores at once, so this will save you quite a lot of time. Take your time and use the Big 5 store locator to find out where each one of these locations is exactly and how to get to each of them, so that you can choose the best ones.
When you are done, click on the Next button and you can create your profile on the Big 5 application portal. Provide your e-mail address, choose a password and mention how you have heard about the company.
Then choose three security questions and provide secret answers to them so that you can recover your login information in the event that you cannot access your account at some point.
You will be able to use this login information to access the Big 5 application portal later on to check your application status.
The first step of the Big 5 application form requires you to provide your resume, which you can simply upload from your computer. Then, you will have to include your full contact details in the Contact Information section.
The last part of the Big 5 application form is only necessary if you are unable to provide a resume. You can write employment objectives and skills in the provided box and then you can attach any document that you think is relevant to you professional profile.
Since you are only allowed to upload two documents, we recommend that one of them is a cover letter, as this would give weight to your Big 5 job application. The second document should be a reference as this could corroborate at least part of the information you have provided.
When you are done, click on the Confirm button to view your entire Big 5 application form and edit out any mistakes that you might not have noticed previously. Then click on the Submit button to complete the application process.
Please note that if you are already a Big 5 employee and you want to apply for a different career at the company, you need to access the Internal Career Center, as the application process is different.
Minimum Age for Employment at Big 5
The minimum age for Big 5 employment is 18 and the company immediately excludes all candidates who are younger from the application process.
The Big 5 online application portal clearly states that all candidates need to be at least 18 years old in order to be considered for the positions that they are applying for.
Big 5 Hours of Operation
The standard Big 5 store hours are 10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. from Monday to Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. on Saturdays and 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Sundays.
Due to the fact that there might be some modifications to this schedule according to the location of the store and the needs of the customers from the area, you should go to www.big5sportinggoods.com and use the Big 5 store locator to find the exact hours of operation of the store you are looking for.
Entry-Level Big 5 Careers and Income
There are three types of entry-level careers that you can apply for via the online employment portal:
- Store Big 5 Jobs
- Distribution Center Big 5 Jobs
- Corporate Big 5 Jobs
Naturally, the vast majority of the positions are in Big 5 stores, but if you are interested in starting a career in the Distribution Center or the Corporate Sector, applying as one of the company employees will give you a considerable advantage.
So you could try submitting a Big 5 application for an in-store position and then keep looking for your ideal careers in the other departments. If you get hired in a Big 5 store you can then submit your application for the your desired position via the Internal Careers Portal, so be patient and take advantage of all the opportunities that you are presented with.
Cashier – Job Description and Duties
The Big 5 store works as a big team and the Cashiers are very important members of this team, precisely because they get to interact with the customers. They will greet them in a respectful and enthusiastic manner and will use the POS system to carry out their transactions as quickly as possible.
However, cashiers are not only assigned to the cash register area; they will also join the Big 5 store team when they can be of use to stock shelves and conduct basic maintenance tasks.
Cashier – Salary and Compensation
The starting salary for this Big 5 job is $8.00 per hour and as the employees gain experience in the position and manage to perfect their skills, this hourly rate could be increased up to $9.00.
Sales Associate – Job Description and Duties
The Sales Associates are the heart and soul of the Big 5 store because they get to interact with the customers directly and because their main responsibilities result in making the store adhere to the company’s display policies.
They will receive the merchandise for the Big 5 stores, log it into the inventory system and then proceed to unload it and stack it onto the store’s shelves. When customers ask them for information or advice, they will greet them respectfully and try to provide them with helpful answers.
Sales Associate – Salary and Compensation
The salary for the Big 5 Sales Associate ranges from an hourly rate of $8,00 when the employee is hired to $10.00 for experienced employees.
Big 5 Careers in Management
The main quality of the managers at Big 5 Sporting Goods is that they truly love sports because their true passion for it can guide them to achieve new levels of performance in their careers precisely because they understand the target audience so well.
As such, they will be able to develop successful sales and development strategies for the Big 5 store or Corporate Department that they run and drive the company to high levels of success.
Basic Tips for Applying at Big 5
As we have mentioned, the only way to apply for a Big 5 career is through the online application portal, as the printable job application form is not used anymore.
The Big 5 online application portal is rather different that the vast majority of similar portals operated by other companies because it is extremely simple. It will only require your resume and your contact details and it will provide you with the opportunity to add two documents to your application.
Therefore, the most important part of the Big 5 application form is your resume because you will be able to provide detailed information about yourself, your education and your employment history. While uploading the resume is actually optional to the form, it is a step that you are not advised to skip.
In the event that you do not have a CV ready, you can write the main things about your education and employment history in a special box, but providing one is an exponentially better choice. It would be a much better idea to download a template from the internet and write it then and there.
The perfect resume is never longer than two pages, so remember to use your space wisely. Only elaborate on the most impressive parts of your education and work history and since you are applying for a Big 5 job, try to personalize it for the company.
When you are done with it, you can begin to write a cover letter for Big 5 employment. This will give you the chance to elaborate on the main reasons why you are a solid candidate for the position you are applying for.
The cover letter shouldn’t be longer than one page and it should be written in a semi-formal voice. Take your time with it because it could prove to be extremely helpful for the Big 5 hiring process.
As for the reference, you will have to use one from a person of authority who knows you well and who can point out what makes you a good employee. A reference from a former supervisor or employer is ideal, so always ask for one before leaving a job if the situation is appropriate.
Advanced tips for Applying at Big 5
The Big 5 application form allows you to speak freely about yourself in your resume and cover letter, without the restrictions of special sections and lengthy tables and this gives you the opportunity to present your best features and your most important skills and achievements.
If you already have an updated resume, you should take the time to go through it again so as to adapt it to the Big 5 career that you are applying for.
Furthermore, before uploading any of the documents to the Big 5 application form, read them again thoroughly and look for any inaccuracies and spelling and grammar mistakes, because these could damage the overall impression that the Big 5 hiring specialists will get.
You should also double check the contact information that you include in the form, as the Human Resources department will rely on it to get in touch with you.
Benefits at Big 5
Big 5 employees are entitled to several benefit packs according to the schedule that they have, their career level and the duration of their collaboration with the company.
- Part-time employees are only entitled to the special employee discount for merchandise and services at the Big 5 store.
- Full-time employees are entitled to a core benefit pack and the higher the career level of the employee, the more comprehensive the pack gets. These are the main benefits included in the pack:
- Healthcare Plan – which includes a Medical plan, a Dental plan, a Vision plan and Prescription Coverage;
- Paid Time Off – the extent of this benefit is settled according to the main eligibility criteria;
- Financial Assistance Program;
- 401(k) Retirement Plan.
Big 5 Interview Tips & Hiring Process Information
The Big 5 hiring process is quite simple as well and it begins when the candidates are contacted by the Human Resources department to schedule a meeting. The interviews are usually conducted in the Big 5 stores and they focus on getting to know the candidates and finding out whether or not they are a good match for the Big 5 careers they have applied for.
Furthermore, the interview will focus precisely on what is lacking from the Big 5 application form, which is testing the candidates specifically for the career that they have chosen. You should expect generic interview questions in the beginning and some that are focused on the job towards the end.
In order to get ready for the interview, you need to make time to go to a Big 5 store, especially if you are not familiar with sporting goods stores. Visit every department and analyze the display and the conduct of the employees, as this could help you during the interview.
Naturally, you will not be able to remember all the merchandise in the store, but you should, at least, know the departments and the main things that each of them offers. You can even do this from home by going to www.big5sportinggoods.com.
Then prepare your outfit for the interview by finding the best choice that is in line with both the Big 5 career that you are applying for and the sporting goods theme of the store. While it might seem tempting, you shouldn’t choose an outfit that focuses too much on sports, but rather one that is completed by a key accessory or a piece of clothing that symbolizes your love for sports.
Lastly, make sure to use the Big 5 store locator to find the exact address of the location you are supposed to be at for the interview so that you can get there 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled time.
Frequently Asked Big 5 Interview Questions
On the day of the interview, you need to be relaxed and well rested so that you can provide the best possible interview answers at the job meeting.
For most entry-level and mid-level Big 5 careers, candidates have to undergo a three-step selection process:
- A brief Math test:
- These tests usually include about 50 elementary Math questions, so it will not be something that will require preparation.
- The main role of this test is psychological, as it will assess your attention span, your attention to detail and your logic.
- Proof of Education:
- The Big 5 hiring specialist who will contact you will let you know that you will have to bring in your education documentation.
- This is an eliminatory step, so if for any reason you find yourself unable to provide the documents, you will be asked to leave.
- A short one-on-one interview:
- The interviews are usually about 15 minutes long, so it will be over before you know it.
- Be sincere, smile and try to establish a connection with the interviewer, because if all goes well he/she might be your supervisor or manager.
- Here a few examples of questions that have been previously used in Big 5 interviews, so that you can get an idea about the tone and main points of the discussion:
- Why do you want to work for Big 5 Sporting Goods?
- Could you please tell me a little bit about your strengths and weaknesses?
- Could you please tell me about a time when you had to complete a task under pressure?
- Could you please tell me about a time in your professional experience when you have succeeded to turn something negative into something positive?
- What is your favorite sport?
- What sports do you have solid knowledge of?
- If tourists happened to come into the store, would you be able to provide them with directions?
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