Finish Line Inc, one of America’s top sports shoes and apparel retailers is currently seeking for qualified candidates to fill some positions within the organization. Finish Line operates over 600 stores in 47 states and Puerto Rico. It sells athletic shoes from the world’s top brands- Nike, Adidas, Puma, Reebok, Sketchers, Lacoste, Fila among others. Let us know about ‘FinishLine Careers’.
Finish Line may not rank among the big players in the athletic shoe game such as Zappos, Foot Locker, and 6 pm, however, it promises to give prospective employees a great career. The available positions are:
Stock Room Associate
This position also goes by the names- Stock Associate and Retail Stock Associate depending on the state. The position is available in almost all states to Finish Line operates.
Role: The primary role of a Stock Room Associate is to support sales and customer services. He or she will also be in charge of stock records and inventory. As a stock associate, you represent the company. It is important to maintain the company’s standards at all times. You may also be given sales targets from time to time.
Physical Requirements: This position is quite physically demanding. A medical examination will be conducted as part of the recruitment process. The physical demands are:
- Continuous or non-continuous standing totaling 5-8 hours per day, 3-5 days a week
- Stooping, kneeling and stretching to reach and handle merchandise
- Lifting of items weighing 5-25 Lbs. Weights may be seldom higher.
- Use of ladder, stairs, or other elevation devices to stock and retrieve merchandise.
- Longer work hours (not exceeding 12 hours per day) during peak periods.
Other Requirements: The minimum academic requirement is a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Salary and Benefits: This position is part-time. The work schedule is Monday to Friday, however, there may be the need to work on weekends from time to time. The expected pay is $8.25-$9.25 hourly. Work benefits include employee discounts.
Expected Interview Questions: Considered candidates will be contacted for a face-to-face interview. If you are called for an interview, it is advisable to wear corporate clothing. Expect questions of this nature:
Q: Why did you leave your last place of employment?
A: This is a very likely question for this position. If you are currently engaged, you should tell the interviewer(s) that your current job is not challenging enough. Do not make any mention of money. You can say, “My current job has become so routine, boring, and unchallenging. I am sure a career with Finish Line will come with lots of learning, challenges, and support.”
Q: Are you a good multi-tasker?
A: It is best to answer this question in the affirmative and give one or two examples of your multi-tasking abilities.
Q: How do you intend to ensure and promote a safe working environment?
A: Safety is a key element in retail sales. Tell the interview panel that you are conversant with safety drills and processes. If you have undergone any safety training, mention it.
Q: If your superior engages you in something you perceive to be unsafe, what will you do?
A: This is one very tricky question. The interviewer will try to gauge your level of subordination and your safety awareness. It will likely be a follow-up question to the previous one. Tell the interviewer that safety rules require that the job is stopped whenever one perceives impending danger. Conclude the question by saying safety and management will be informed if the superior insists on you carrying out the unsafe activity.
Stock Supervisor
This position is available in some states. More information on this can be found on the application link.
Role: The Stock Supervisor is expected to perform the following:
- Assist and deputize the store manager. He or she is expected to fill in whenever the store manager is absent or unavailable.
- To perform duties such as daily shift management, customer relations, paperwork, inventory, store opening, and closing.
- Train store associates to build and maintain a quality team.
- Supporting management in planning, staff recruitment, and effecting change.
- Engage customers and seek feedback to improve customer needs and expectations.
- Set realistic goals for sales, metrics, and personal development.
- Comply with company guidelines and policies at all times.
Physical Requirements: This position is equally physically demanding. The physical demands are:
- Continuous or non-continuous standing totaling 5-8 hours per day, 3-5 days a week.
- Stooping, kneeling and stretching to reach and handle the merchandise.
- Lifting of items weighing 5-25 Ibs. Weights may be seldom higher.
- Use of ladder, stairs, or other elevation devices to stock and retrieve merchandise.
- Longer work hours (not exceeding 12 hours per day) during peak periods.
Other Requirements: The stock supervisor is required to:
- Have 0-1 year relevant experience.
- Be IT savvy. He or she should understand the basics of the internet, Microsoft Office, and SAP.
- Have analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Be effective in verbal and written communication.
Be able to work on his or her own with very little or no guidance. He or she should as well be an excellent team player.
Salary and Benefits: This may be either a full-time or part-time position. The work schedule may be Monday to Friday day or night shift, weekends, or holidays. The expected pay is $10.25 hourly. Work benefits include employee discounts and professional development assistance.
Expected Interview Questions: There will likely be an interview for this position. It may either be via Skype or face to face. Whichever case, it is advisable to wear a suit and tie. The likely questions for this position are:
Q: Are you a good team player?
A: A good supervisor must know how to manage a group of people so they can be a winning team. The best way to answer this question is by giving examples from your previous working experience.
Q: How will you deal with repeated lateness and the absence of a stock associate?
A: The interview is likely testing your leadership ability and temper here. You can answer this way- “I will engage the worker to find out the cause of his regularly late coming. If the problem lies in the distance from his or her home, I will alter the shift to suit the worker. If the reason is laziness or nonchalance, the worker will be penalized according to the employee handbook rules.”
Q: How will you manage a supplier that regularly misses his deadlines?
A: The interviewer panel knows that the success of a store depends largely on its suppliers. The panel wants to know if you know this by this question. Tell the panel you can pardon the supplier if it’s a one-off incident. However, regular lateness in supply will lead to a supplier change.
Q: How analytical are you? Give us a scenario you use to solve a problem analytically.
A: Answer this question by giving yourself a rating on a scale. Follow it up by giving two examples of how you solved a problem analytically.
Assistant Manager
This position also goes by the names- Assistant Store Manager and Retail Assistant Manager depending on the state. The position is available in almost all states Finish Line operates in.
Role: The Assistant Manager is expected to:
- Take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the store.
- Supervise lower management staff and all store personnel.
- Coach, train, and motivate his or her team members.
- Actively participate in staff recruitment, onboarding, training, and promotion.
- Drive continuous improvement in-store brands and culture.
- Comply with company guidelines and policies at all times.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands with this position are:
- Continuous or non-continuous standing averaging 5-14 hours per day.
- Stooping, kneeling and stretching to reach and handle merchandise.
- Lifting of items weighing 5-25 Ibs. Weights may be seldom higher.
- Use of ladder, stairs, or other elevation devices to stock and retrieve merchandise.
- Longer work hours during peak periods.
Other Requirements: The assistant manager is required to:
- Possess a university or college education. Candidates without this educational requirement may be considered if they possess 1-2 years of related leadership experience, preferably in a retail environment.
- Have a minimum of 1-year experience in a supervisory role.
- Be able to manage a diverse team comprising of people of different genders, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, among others
- Be an effective verbal and written communicator.
Salary and Benefits: This position is full-time. The expected salary is $16.00 to $17.00 hourly. Work benefits include 401(k), dental insurance, employee discount, health insurance, paid time off, vision insurance, and flexible spending account.
Expected Interview Questions: There will likely be an interview for this position. It may either be via Skype or face to face. Whichever case, it is advisable to wear a suit and tie. The likely questions for this position are:
Q: Where did you hear about this job opening?
A: This is a very straightforward question. Your answer should be straightforward as well. Mention the platform where you saw the opening- LinkedIn, Google Search, Naukri, or mention someone’s name if you were referred internally.
Q: Do you have sufficient educational qualifications and work experience for this position?
A: It is expected that you met the academic and professional requirements of the position, hence you are being interviewed. Have a comprehensive but brief discussion of your academics and work experience focusing on how it should affect the role.
Q: Have you worked in a supervisory or management role in retail in the past?
A: This is similar to the previous question. You can simply say yes and mention the relevant job title and company.
Q: What are your personal sales target for this position?
A: Ensure you make research on the store’s sales figures before the interview day. This will guide you in your answer to this question. Be realistic, do not just call figures to impress the interviewer.
Q: What do you think are the expected challenges and problems associated with this position and what are your plans for solving or reducing them to the barest minimum?
A: This question equally needs some research. Check on websites such as Glassdoor to see challenges faced by people who have been in this position before. Create a remedial list for these challenges and present them to the interview panel.
Loss Prevention Officer
This position is available only in selected states.
Role: The Loss Prevention Officer is responsible for preventing losses in the store, out-store facilities, call centers, distribution centers, and in transit (supply chain).
Other responsibilities include:
- Ensuring the safety of employees
- In charge of entry and exit of people and goods
- Investigation of safety and security incidents
- Monitoring of employee compliance to safety and security protocols
Physical Requirements: Physical requirements for this position include the following:
- Ability to stand for hours
- Ability to move from one location to another
- Sense of sight, hearing, and feeling should be way above average as determined during a medical examination
- Stooping, kneeling and stretching to reach and handle merchandise.
Salary and Benefits: This position is full-time. The expected salary is $14.50 hourly. Work benefits include 401(k), dental insurance, employee discount, health insurance, paid time off, vision insurance, and flexible spending account.
Expected Interview Questions
Q: Have you worked in a similar position before?
A: It is expected that you should have worked as a security person in the past. However, if you have not, be truthful. Tell them it is something you have an interest in.
Application Process
Application for any of these positions can be done on the company website or via Indeed. However, we will advise you to apply on LinkedIn. Take the following steps for a smooth application process:
- Login to LinkedIn. Open an account if you do not have one.
- Create a resume in either Word or PDF.
- Search for Finish Line Inc on the LinkedIn web page or mobile application.
- Click on jobs on the dashboard.
- For ease, filter the location and choose the state of interest.
- There is an “easy apply” option. Choose it.
- Attach your resume. You are good to go.
- In some cases, the job poster may be visible and available to contact. Reach out to him or her. You can also send a cover letter across.
Good luck!
