Originating in Boston, MA, in the mid-1980s, City Sports maintains a presence in nearly 25 major metropolitan areas along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Applicants looking for work selling athletic apparel or broader careers in retail should consider the chain as a viable source of employment.
Facts About Working at City Sports
Hiring Age: 18 years old (How old do you have to be to work at City Sports?)
Available Positions: Cashier, Sales Associate, Stock Associate, Assistant Store Manager, Store Manager
Printable Application: No. Search Job Openings or visit official site.
City Sports Employment Opportunities
Each City Sports location sells diverse arrays of sporting goods. Product lines include apparel, equipment, and footwear. The chain also offers training assistance from knowledgeable staff members. Workers hired on to join existing teams enjoy fun, sports-centric environments. Daily responsibilities revolve around athletics and exercise. Assisting customers remains a top priority among employees, especially for individuals in sales and cashier roles. Career professionals in managerial positions must also place customer satisfaction above other priorities to find success with the company.
City Sports employees serve as ambassadors for the brand. Associates need to remain familiar with athletic trends and possess insight into sports performance and related clothing and accessories. The high-volume store entertains hundreds of customers every day. Operating out of major cities spurs patronage and often leads to fast-paced and sometimes hectic retail settings. The ability to think and move quickly, direct patrons to appropriate departments and merchandise, and answer questions regarding store policies play important parts of daily responsibilities, regardless of job title. Personal interests in local sports teams and assisting young athletes also benefits candidates looking for sales and customer service jobs.
City Sports Job Prospects and Pay Scales
The City Sports hiring process caters to individuals 16 and over. However, applicants under 18 may need special permits to begin working for the sporting goods retail chain. Job seekers may take interest in available full-time, part-time, and seasonal roles. Part-time and seasonal employment opportunities generally allow for flexibility in scheduling, while full-time roles often offer set, 40-hour work weeks. Prospective employees regularly apply for the following jobs:
Sales Associate
- Applicants seeking regular interaction with different people, both one-on-one and in group settings, should fill out applications for sales associate jobs.
- The position offers part-time and full-time scheduling options, consistent manual labor, and daily interfacing with customers.
- Workers must stand in good health and remain capable of standing for long periods.
- Bending, stooping, squatting, and reaching also take place on the job, as sales associates sometimes demonstrate athletic equipment or retrieve merchandise from back storage areas.
- Additional duties include straightening and organizing shelves, operating cash registers, and fielding questions regarding equipment, apparel, footwear, or store policies.
- Sincere and dedicated individuals typically find little resistance in gaining employment.
- The entry-level position requires no previous experience or academic qualifications.
- Stores often hire on sales associates around $8.00 per hour, with raises increasing hourly pay to $11.00 at most.
Footwear Specialist
- City Sports stores staff footwear specialists provide highly specific assistance to customers.
- Workers in the role should understand the needs of each sport regarding footwear and the best methods for fitting to ensure customer satisfaction.
- A typical footwear specialist exhibits patience, kindness, and attention to detail.
- Applicants must feel comfortable bending repeatedly throughout given shifts.
- The historically part-time position also offers full-time hours for experienced individuals.
- Footwear specialists also receive $8.00 an hour or so upon hire.
Key Holder
- Career seekers with some background in retail sales or the sporting goods industry may take interest in key holder jobs.
- The chain often promotes entry-level associates into key holder roles; however, outside applicants with the appropriate qualifications may also enjoy the managerial opportunity.
- Candidates must exude excellent organizational skills, as primary job duties, such as scheduling, taking inventory, and assigning subordinate employee tasks, require great tact.
- Additional responsibilities include opening and closing stores, reporting sales, and training new employees.
- Key holders also generally work part-time but may advance into full-time roles, as needed.
- Hours usually vary between 20 and 35 per week.
- The supervisory position often pays between $11.00 and $12.00 hourly, or roughly $25,000 annual salary at start.
Tips For Applying
The sporting goods chain offers an online application downloadable in PDF format. Applicants simply click on the link attached to the forms, download the documents, fill out the applications, and submit the required materials to desired stores. Workers may submit the documents as attachments in emails, as well. However, visiting City Sports locations in person may lead to immediate interview consideration or on-the-spot review by hiring managers.
Application Status
After workers submit documents by email or in person the retail chain generally takes a few days to process information and contact prospective hires. Job seekers looking for an edge may follow up with emails or phone calls to express continued interest to gain interview consideration. Workers may also follow up with management after completing job interviews. Many candidates cite no need to follow up, as the chain usually makes decisions to move forward with hiring intentions after the first interview.
Benefits of Working at City Sports
A chain committed to employee success, the sporting goods retailer offers competitive pay scales, flexible hours, and access to work benefits packages. Qualified associates enjoy:
- Paid time off
- Healthcare coverage
- 401(k) retirement plans, and
- Merchandise discounts.
Most stores offer merchandise discounts for employees, regardless of part-time or full-time status; however, specific discounts and job benefits qualifications usually vary store to store.
More Information on City Sports
In 2014, the retailer continued an award-winning tradition with recognition as a top sporting goods chain from several third-party organizations. The chain ranked as a Top 50 running store nationwide, as one of the best stores in Boston for fitness apparel by Boston Magazine, and served as a proud supplier of running equipment for Boston Marathon participants over Patriot’s Day weekend. City Sports maintains two locations in Boston-proper in addition to dozens of other stores along the East Coast.