How to Get a Job at PacSun
PacSun, formally known as Pacific Sunwear of California, operates one of the largest and most recognizable clothing brands for young, trendy, and fashion-focused individuals. The fashion retailer manages close to 800 clothing stores and more than 9,000 employees across the country, with new associates hired daily. Naturally, the company must conduct numerous job interviews to hire new workers.
One-On-One or Group Interviews
With such a vast network of stores, the company uses numerous interview formats. Regardless of the format, applicants must properly prepare for interviews.
Interviews used to onboard new PacSun employees range in format from very basic to rather complex and intricate. For entry-level jobs like sales associate and seasonal employee, a simple one-on-one interview may often suffice. In some cases, a group interview may be a more suitable option.
Interview Questions
Interview questions asked typically include the following:
- Where do you like to shop?
- Do you have any retail experience?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
Personal questions
Candidates may also be asked general questions about personal traits, hobbies and interests, work history, and current or future goals.
Company questions
Some questions used during the interview process may involve applicants sharing what they like most about the company and how they would help customers find certain articles of clothing.
Naturally, all interview questions should be answered with polite and courteous tones.
What to Expect During the Interview Process
Fashion & customer service
The two biggest qualifications the retailer looks for when hiring new associates are fashion sense and customer service skills. Candidates must exhibit their love for PacSun and clothes in general.
Create an outfit for a customer
As a test, applicants may be asked to create an ensemble based on a hypothetical shopper's fashion preferences. Additional scenario-based questions revolve around interacting with a variety of everyday customers. To maintain store environments centered on teamwork, hiring managers look for applicants who can cooperate and work well with others.
How to Dress
What clothes should you wear?
Wearing an article of PacSun clothing to the interview will help display interest in the company. Applicants should look clean, yet embody the Souther California style that the brand strives to represent.
How to Behave
Despite most jobs revolving around entry-level retail work, applicants should still approach the interview process with professionalism and care. Hiring managers often look for interviewees that fit in with the image of California fun. A slightly casual attitude may help during the interview but should not overshadow a candidate's professional tone. Friendly demeanors remain essential for every potential associate to have, so applicants must demonstrate how easily they thrive in social situations.
Insider Tips
Video: we interview former employees about working for PacSun.
PacSun Sales Associate Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
PacSun Employee: At PacSun, I was a sales associate, and basically what I did was greet people, say “Hi, how are you?”, “Can I help you with anything?”, “These are our sales,” and “If you need a fitting room, I’m here to help you.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
PacSun Employee: It was really laid back. Everyone at PacSun is really chilled when they come to work. They’re not uptight; everything doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s just a California thing for everything.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
PacSun Employee: The discount. You get 50% off everything that’s not on sale, and if you get a sale item, you get 10% off of it.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
PacSun Employee: You come in, you punch in, and you talk to whoever is managing. Then, they assign you a position; you can either be fitting room, stocking, or you can just help people find clothes.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
PacSun Employee: When I applied, I just filled out an application. Walked in, they said, “We’re not really hiring, but I like the way you look, so you can come work.” So, it really wasn’t a long process or anything.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
PacSun Employee: They just asked me about where I shop, and I shop there a lot. “Have you had any experience?” But, you don’t really need experience. They ask you if you’re really uptight because they’re not really that way.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
PacSun Employee: Don’t try too hard because they’re not really pressed for you to be something you’re not. Dress how you want to. Just be laid back about everything. That’s about it.
PacSun Stock Associate Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
PacSun Stock Associate: I was at PacSun for two and a half years. I did stocking and then I did retail sales.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
PacSun Stock Associate: It was really fun. Everyone there is really nice, and basically I was cashier, and they would rotate us to different parts of the store.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
PacSun Stock Associate: When we start, we have our manager telling us what’s going on, what we have going on that day, what the sales goals, and then in what parts we have. We have cashiers, people in the front greeting, people in the stocking, and then just go on from there.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
PacSun Stock Associate: For me, it was relatively short, because I actually got hired on as seasonal for Thanksgiving or Black Friday, and then I just walked in, applied, and they gave me a brief interview for five minutes, and then just hired me on the spot. Normally, you go there to interview.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
PacSun Stock Associate: Strengths and weaknesses. Then, they also ask for you to sell something to see how well you do in talking to people and convincing them to buy a certain pair of jeans or tops.
Interviewer: What should an applicant wear to the job interview?
PacSun Stock Associate: Pretty much anything that they would sell at PacSun or the PacSun look that they go for – the Southern California relaxed beach person or all-American person.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
PacSun Stock Associate: You just have to be really friendly, really like people who can talk to anyone and someone who is easy to work with.
MILADY says:
In the Pacsun interview, it is important to know a lot of the clothing brands.
Jessie says:
I just had an interview with PacSun. I dressed nice but somewhat casual… the whole time I was picking out clothes, doing my hair and choosing perfume I was thinking “PACSUN”!
I picked clothes that made me feel really confident.
I got to the interview and the manager was really nice and we connected on a level other than the interview questions. Anyways she asked me some questions and then brought me into the store to pick out 2 outfits – one guys and one girls – that I’d like to wear or like to see on someone else! Anyways I got the job! It was overall a fun experience and I’m very pleased! 🙂
I would suggest just knowing about current fashions and what’s hott, also I was asked about a recent run in with great customer service… the rest of the questions were pretty basic
ashley says:
I dropped off my application at pacsun about 2 weeks ago… when do you think they will start hiring for the holidays?
lilbithigh says:
does anyone know if they drug test BEFORE hiring?
Cory Ogilvie says:
Alright guys! Where to begin! I worked at Pacsun not too long ago in Orlando Florida and I truly did love it.
To start off, it’s all about confidence! You need to be confident in yourself when you enter these workforces, otherwise you probably won’t get the job. The first thing I did was fill out an application, If I were you I’d go to the actual store and retrieve one rather than filling one online. And then make sure you have a resume’ filled out and revise the information for accuracy. Call in to see what day the hiring manager will be in, and go to the store to personally drop your application and resume’ in the palms of the manager. And also maybe wear something nice, and professional or make yourself seem as if you worked there. Perhaps wear one of their many brands they sell (RVCA, Billabong, Hurley, vans, etc) TRUST ME! if they can envision you working there, more power to you! Plus when they see that you brought your resume along, it gives them that outlook on you as of “Oh wow, you have your resume’ too? Fancy!” they’ll love it. Perhaps wait a week if they haven’t called back, and call the general store you applied at and ask for the manager you spoked with when you brought in your application and resume’ and keep calling until you get a definite answer for interviews. The more they see you calling the more they see you wanting to work there.
FINALLY! THE INTERVIEW!! DON’T FREAK OUT! YOU’LL DO GREAT!
I will admit, I was quite nervous preparing myself for the interview, but that feeling faded shortly as I went in for a group interview. I wore ALL OF THEIR BRANDS (THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT) my manager and the staff always told me I looked like a model for pacsun, which made me rather more noticed than the others whom were connected into the group interview. Show them you have this gregarious energy flowing through you, almost as if you could conquer any question they throw at you. The questions were really basic! Some questions asking “What’s your favorite color?” to questions that included “What was your best experience with a customer?.” If you’ve never had a job before, don’t worry, tell them this is your first job basically, but answer the questions as of what you WOULD do, if you were in those certain situations. Try to be as honest as possible! If you’re a shy person, be honest about it, because Pacsun will help you! Don’t tell them the things you think they WANT to hear, because they most likely hear the same stories about perfection over and over. I myself focussed on what I loved about Pacsun (California, the beach, the brands) and distributed my questions through those different aspects. I think it was my confidence in wanting to learn more about what this workforce, this company, this beautiful business that started from basically nothing that flourished throughout the world! It was my confidence that gained their attention! Don’t work there just because of the money or discounts, find something to your interest about the story or the company that you admire and focus on that! The interview process is very laid back and as what many people call it ‘mellow’ which is the amazing thing about these types-of companies. So confidence, endurance, and honesty will get you through many interviews such as this one! Good luck guys! I Hope my advice helped a little.
Jeff says:
I was the sales lead for 7 months at Pac Sun and her interview kind of made the company as not professional as it really is. Yes the company is laid back but, the store I worked at we were very customer orientated. It is very important to not only know the brands but know their meaning and motto as well. We also were taught how to assist shoppers by how they dressed. You have to be able to come up with an outfit out of the blue for a client, without seeming you are trying to push things on them. You have to know how to work within a team and not get too completive about sales. You are a waiter in a sense, but with clothes. Pac Sun is very different from most stores because we do carry larger sizes and have all types of styles for clients, to progressive to All-American and Pac Sun is very much into influencing others to strive to be independent and be you.
Matt says:
They don’t drug test 😛 and I was the underdog in my interview!! To start off I’m homeless have been for the past 7 months. I knew nothing about to company really and bombed a lot of the questions (The chick I interviewed with was dressed to kill and had a lot of retail experience I don’t have any) But at the end of the interview I had to pick out an outfit for her and she had to pick one out for her. The hiring manager will ask if you just picked stuff out or talk to the other person/people. Talk to them they are very big on teamwork. I outclassed her with style and people skills. Not to mention I checked on my application a lot. My perseverance helped me with what I lacked for the job. Maintain eye contact, speak clearly, keep your answers short and precise, and talk to the other people at the interview. I hope this helps someone also if you do need to pass a drug test once again, but if you need to you can buy a fake urine kit online or at a headshop.