Big 5

Big 5 Jobs & Careers – Application, How to Apply, Requirements & Interview Tips

Last Updated: September 20th, 2019 by Noah Shaw

If you love everything sports, then get ready to fill out and submit your Big 5 job application today!

Big 5 is one of the leading sporting goods retailers in the US. The company carries all types of sports equipment, sportswear, and more.

The company has roughly 438 retail locations throughout 11 different states in the west. Each store is about 11,000 square feet of shopping space and all products are priced affordably so that consumers can pick up the products they need.

Whether you plan to go camping, hunting, fishing, or snowboarding, Big 5 has all of the equipment you need.

Big 5 hires employees to work throughout all of their locations and you may find yourself working in the front of the store as a cashier or you may find yourself training in a management position.

If you are looking to work within a company where you can grow and advance in your career, Big 5 may be the right choice for you.

How to Apply for Employment at Big 5

To apply for a position at Big 5, the most commonly used method is through their online job application wizard.

Application Information

  • Minimum Age Requirement: The minimum age required to work at Big 5 is 18 years old.
  • Hours of Operation: Big 5 is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm, on Saturday from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm, and on Sunday from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm.
  • Methods to Apply: Interested applicants can apply for a position at Big 5 by filling out and submitting an online job application.

Searching for an Open Position

To search for an open position, applicants will need to visit the Big 5 career center. From here, you can enter in search criteria including your location, any relevant keywords, and the status of the position.

Once your criteria are entered, click the search button. All open positions meeting your criteria will be displayed.

To view information about a position, click on the position’s title.

Applying for a Job

To apply for a job position, click on the title of the job that interests you. From there, click the apply button.

You will be taken to a page that allows you to select which stores you want to apply at. Once you have selected all of the stores, click next and create an account.

Once your account is created, you will be taken to the job application. The first section starts out by asking you to upload a resume and enter in your personal information.

The next section of the application asks you information about your experience including which sporting items you have knowledge about, whether or not you can work holidays, nights, and weekends, and also if you have ever been employed by the company before.

The next section asks for your employment history starting with your most recent employer followed by your previous employers and then your education history.

The last section of the application asks you to read over some terms, disclosures, etc. and then sign and submit the application.

Application Tips

big 5 job application As you go through the application process, you may be unsure of how to answer some of the questions you come across. Instead of panicking, keep the following tips in mind to help you get through your application.

Create a Resume to Turn In

You should always have a resume on hand to turn in to your potential employer or to attach to your online application.

If you do not have a resume currently, you can make one in your Word processor quickly. There are a number of templates you can use and all you have to do is simply enter in the information.

When creating your resume, make sure that you highlight your skills and experience so that your potential employer sees it first.

Include All Previous Employer Information

When you are filling out your previous employment history, make sure that you include all of your previous employers. Leaving some of them out will result in gaps in your employment and it may be a red flag to your potential employer.

Don’t Be Afraid to Talk about Your Experience

At one point in the application you are asked in what areas of sporting goods do you have experience. You should not hold back and list all areas where you do have knowledge.

If you do not have any knowledge or experience in these areas, it is not wise to say that you do as you may be asked questions about it and if you cannot answer these questions, it may be a red flag.

Should You Follow Up?

You can follow up on a position that you applied to by logging back into the account that you created. Once logged in, you can see all of the positions you applied to and you can view the status of the application.

In addition to checking your status online, you can call the store you applied to. Before you call, you should give the hiring manager a couple of days to review your application first.

When you do call in, ask to speak directly with the hiring manager. If he or she is unavailable, ask when a better time to call back would be.

Keep in mind that if you do say you are going to call back, make sure you follow up and do so. Your persistence will pay off.

Positions and Salary Information

Big 5 hires both entry-level and management employees to work throughout their stores. Each position plays an important role for the company and you must have superior customer service skills.

Big 5 is dedicated to providing a fun and upbeat atmosphere for employees to work in. Whether this is your first time entering the workforce or you are looking to launch your career, working at Big 5 may be the right decision.

  • Cashier – The Cashier is responsible for completing customers’ transactions and handling all exchanges of money. As a Cashier, you can expect to make between $8 and $10 per hour.
  • Sales Associate – The Sales Associate is responsible for making sure that customers can find the items they are looking for on the sales floor. As a Sales Associate, you can expect to make between $8 and $10 per hour.
  • Management Trainee – The Management Trainee is an entry-level management role that learns the ropes as a manager to eventually step into a management position. As a Management Trainee, you can expect to make between $12 and $14 per hour.
  • Assistant Manager – The Assistant Manager is responsible for overseeing the Cashiers and Sales Associates in the store. He or she will help customers and train new employees. As an Assistant Manager, you can expect to make between $30,000 and $40,000 per year.
  • Store Manager – The Store Manager is responsible for overseeing all operations of the store and ensuring profitability. As a Store Manager, you can expect to make between $40,000 and $50,000 per year.

Best Entry-Level Positions

Big 5 hires a number of entry-level employees to work in their stores. These positions are the face of the company and you can learn the ropes quickly and advance into management positions.

Cashier

The Cashier is responsible for completing purchase transactions for customers as well as bagging all of the customers’ items. In this role, you will utilize the PA system to make announcements, stock shelves, and ensure your checkout lane is clean at all times.

The Cashier will also count the cash in his or her drawer at the end of each shift and report the count to a manager

Sales Associate

The Sales Associate is responsible for providing superior customer service on the sales floor. He or she will help customers locate items that are in stock. The Sales Associate will need to know the products on the floor and be able to describe items to the customer.

In this role, you will help out as needed throughout the store including answering telephones, manning the cash register, and cleaning up.

Management Trainee

The Management Trainee is responsible for learning the role of the Assistant and Store Managers. He or she will help with customer sales and service while answering the telephone, conducting transactions, and checking prices on items.

In this role, you will upsell customers, keep the shelves stocked, and handle any questions, concerns, or complaints from customers.

Big 5 Careers in Management

big 5 careers Big 5 hires employees both in-house and new to work in management positions throughout their stores. These positions allow you to take on a leadership role and oversee a number of team members.

Big 5 full-time employees receive benefits, competitive pay, and company perks as well.

Assistant Manager

The Assistant Manager is responsible for providing quality customer service throughout the store and helping with all daily activities. He or she will perform customer sales, answer inquiries, and ensure all employees are following company protocol.

In this role, you will also train newly hired associates and help them navigate around the store and learn the company’s products.

Store Manager

The Store Manager is responsible for overseeing all of the operations throughout the store. He or she will set daily goals for all departments and make sure that they are completed.

In addition, the Store Manager will recruit and hire new employees for the Assistant Manager to train. Lastly, the Store Manager will ensure the store is profitable and succeeding.

Interview Questions and Tips

It is important that you prepare for your interview as it approaches. You may run into some questions throughout the interview that stump you. Below, we will go over some possible questions so that you can rehearse your answers.

Have You Worked in a Retail Position Before?

Since you will be working in a retail position, experience is preferred, but not necessary in most cases. Your interviewer may ask you whether you have experience or not. Do not be afraid to tell them you do not as you can always learn as you work.

What is Your Favorite Sport and Why?

You May be asked this and there is no right or wrong answer. Since you will be working in a sporting environment, the interviewer is just trying to gauge what sports you enjoy.

Why Do You Want to Work Here?

If you are asked this, be honest and let the interviewer know. Many potential candidates want to work at Big 5 because they like the atmosphere, they enjoy working around people, or because they enjoy being around sporting goods.

Helpful Research for Your Big 5 Interview

Big 5 is a leading sporting goods retail store located in the US. The company carries a variety of name brands for all of your fishing, camping, hunting, golfing, and snowboarding needs.

Each store is roughly 11,000 square feet of shopping space and you can find everything from sporting apparel to footwear and more.

Big 5 was first founded in 1955 and has 438 stores located throughout 11 different states in the west.

What Employees Say About Working Here

Employees working at Big 5 are happy in their positions. Many of them talk about how the company is flexible when it comes to scheduling and you can take time off as needed.

In addition, employees are happy with the work environment as it is upbeat and not stressful. It is said that the management team is helpful and provides the necessary training needed to carry out the job.

About Noah Shaw

An editor & writer on staff at LandYourLife, Noah is a career research enthusiast passionate about helping others find & work towards their ideal vocation.