Plato’s Closet Application Online: Jobs & Career Info

Plato's Closet operates as one of the largest secondhand clothing retailers in the United States. Inexperienced job seekers and retail professionals alike may find meaningful careers featuring exceptional pay and work benefits with the retail chain.

Plato’s Closet Interview Videos

Plato’s Closet Job Opportunities

Applicants consistently take advantage of part-time and full-time jobs available with the retailer. The hand-me-down retail chain regularly maintains operations inside of large, warehouse-like storefronts. Products usually undergo assignment into different departments, which require teams of associates to stock shelves, handle customers, and process transactions. Most of the products sold by the chain fall under the category of gently used. Selling near-new name-brand clothing requires applicants to possess excellent fashion sense in addition to the customer service skills necessary to interact with large volumes of patrons on a daily basis.

Around 400 Plato’s Closet locations operate in the United States and Canada. The widespread popularity of the chain and the accessibility of store locations make the retailer an ideal choice for entry-level employment or careers in management. Most storefronts sit inside major metropolitan areas and suburban communities. The chain largely appeals to high school and college students on tight budgets. Individuals able to connect with the target demographics and offer sound recommendations often make ideal employees. Discipline, dedication, and possessing reliable means of transportation also factor into overall hiring decisions.

Plato’s Closet Positions and Pay Scale Information

Workers may assume available roles with the retail chain starting at 16 years of age. Jobs involving supervisory duties or stock work may require applicants to stand no younger than 18 and hold previous experience in related fields. Pay scales and responsibilities vary by position. Entry-level jobs and professional careers available include:

Sales Associate

• A job title with wide, sweeping responsibilities, the position of sales associate provides part-time and full-time schedules in fun, diverse, and customer-centric work environments.
• Job seekers need to possess outgoing, positive, and attentive personalities in order to gain hiring consideration.
• Key tasks range from making recommendations and directing patrons to different departments to rearranging clothing racks, processing payments, and stocking out products.
• Sales associates also spend time pricing items and unloading shipments or deliveries.
• The entry-level job pays minimum wage initially.
• Experience and dedication may increase hourly rates to $9.00.

Keyholder

• A mid-level managerial career, keyholder represents a part-time supervisory opportunity available through the retail chain.
• Entry-level workers who prove valuable and loyal to the company often receive promotion into the role.
• Plato’s Closet also outsources for the job, which pays between $8.00 and $10.00 per hour.
• Added responsibilities include performing opening and closing procedures as well as physically locking and unlocking store locations each night/morning.
• Keyholders maintain disciplinary and inventory responsibilities, as well.
• Some experience in retail generally proves necessary for employment as a keyholder.

Management

• Assistant manager and store manager positions fall into the broader category of supervisory jobs for hire.
• The retail chain both promotes internally and hires external candidates to fill assistant manager and store manager jobs.
• Daily responsibilities include more administrative functions, such as hiring and training new employees, setting work schedules and tracking hours, processing payroll, and ensuring customer satisfaction, in addition to customer service duties.
• Applicants should possess solid backgrounds in sales and past successes in leadership positions.
• Retail managers usually need at least one year of experience in related roles for consideration.
• Assistant managers earn hourly pay scales resting between $10.00 and $12.00.
• Store managers enjoy annual salary options peaking at $35,000.

Tips For Applying

During the hiring process, applicants should exude highly personable and energetic personalities. Workers able to connect with customers and complete assigned tasks with due diligence often gain the advantage over other candidates. Personal enjoyment of fashion and establishing relationships remains key to gaining employment. Job seekers should highlight any activities or experiences related to working with the general public on any and all hiring forms to demonstrate a solid fit for available positions.

Application Status

The popular secondhand store requires applicants to submit hiring documents in person. Workers may download the printable application to complete and then submit to a desired retailer or pick up the form in store. Applicants must call or email hiring managers to check on applications. In many cases, prospective employees spend as little as a couple of days waiting for interview consideration, while other applicants may receive formal invitations to interview on the spot. At most, job seekers wait as long as two weeks to hear back regarding applications and the next steps in the hiring process.

Benefits of Working at Plato’s Closet

Plato’s Closet offers flexible scheduling options to accommodate both part-time and full-time associates. Employees receive in-store discounts on products and services in addition to competitive pay, as well. Careers in management and the company corporate offices also feature job benefits packages consisting of financial planning assistance and insurance plans. Eligible workers receive:

• Paid vacation
• 401(k) retirement plans
• Employee assistance programs
• Sick days and medical insurance

Further Information on Plato’s Closet

Founded in 1999, Plato’s Closet operates as a division of the highly lucrative Winmark Corporation, which began in 1988 with the advent of the Play It Again Sports retail chain. Under the Winmark umbrella, the secondhand clothing and sporting goods stores belong to the same corporate family as Once Upon a Child, Music Go Round, and Style Encore. The parent company trades publicly on the NYSE as WINA and generates around $55 million in annual revenues among over 1,000 leased properties featuring subsidiary banners.