Forever 21 is an international chain of high-end retail stores that specialize in fashion for teens and young adults. Founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1984, it now manages 480 stores around the world. With around 30,000 employees worldwide, it achieved sales of over $3.4 billion in 2012.
Forever 21 Job Application Online
Those who want to submit their Forever 21 application can apply online through their career web page: http://www.forever21.com/Careers. After submitting a Forever 21 application online, the applicant will have to wait for the company to get in touch with them through their contact information. Besides the application for Forever 21, the Careers page also gives valuable advice for prospective applicants.
The company is in continuous search of new employees who share the same philosophies and fashion sense as the store. As the company is in continuous expansion, with new stores being launched almost every six months, entry-level positions for store operations are almost always open. For those interested in a career in a high-end retail chain, they can submit their Forever 21 job application.
Forever 21 Careers And Income
Starting from entry-level positions can lead to successful Forever 21 careers with advancement to management positions. The company promotes from within their ranks of store personnel. In addition, Forever 21 is always looking out for new talent. Currently, it opens a new store every six months. This means there are always new openings for all levels of store staff, including supervisors and managers.
Forever 21 Assistant Managers earn $30,000 to $40,000 annually, while Store Managers earn $45,000 to $55,000 annually. Eligible employees also get bonuses and profit-sharing. Depending on the individual’s package and the franchise owner, employees may also have commissions on sales. The actual salary depends on the store location and employee work experience.
Like other retail chains, corporate headquarters jobs are to support the sales functions at the stores. Jobs at corporate headquarters include IT, architectural/store design, inventory, sales and marketing, public relations, inventory controls, logistics and merchandising, HR, accounting and other administrative functions. Forever 21’s salary rates compare favorably with the rest of the fashion retail industry.
Prospective applicants to managerial positions or for jobs at headquarters and regional offices can fill up the Forever 21 application form online.
Apply At Forever21 – Basic Advice
Before filling up the Forever 21 job application form, it is best if the applicant researches the company, its employees, and its customers. They expect those who seek employment at Forever 21 to have an appreciation and knowledge of fashion. Although not everyone has a keen fashion sense, it would be an advantage once they accept the applicant into a store job. The store focuses on a core market of teens and young adults, and the store’s inventory reflects the dynamics of this age group. The typical Forever 21 customer is very loyal to the brand and looks forward to the store’s fashion trends.
Store employees expect a high turnover of merchandise, styles, and inventory. They design their clothes predominantly for the younger set. Store employees should have good people skills as they would be in contact with Forever 21 customers.
Besides being knowledgeable in fashion, they also expect store associates to communicate on the same level as their customers. Our customers regard Forever 21 as a high-end fashion retailer; it has made its mark as a laid-back store where the staff knows about current fashion among young adults. This includes stock knowledge about clothes, accessories, and textiles.
Forever 21 has maintained its own sense of style. It is distinctive and classy, evoking images of young adults and teens. It has also become an alternative destination for petite-sized women of all ages. It has maintained its sense of being fashionable without being much too forward. Forever 21 has created a niche market which a lot of competitors have been trying to emulate.
It is important for applicants to impress the interviewer with knowledge of the company and its products. It is also important to convey the applicant’s enthusiasm and motivation to work for Forever 21. All things being equal, a highly motivated individual would have a better chance at getting hired.
Like most other application processes, the Forever 21 application process includes an interview. Here, there are often batches of 10 to 15 applicants interviewed at once. The questions asked are fairly standard, and most other companies use the same approach and the same questions. These include questions about personal challenges, job experiences, and personal goals. While there are no wrong answers, truthful and confident applicants often fare better than others.
Apply At Forever21 – Advanced Tips
The Forever 21 application process follows the standard application process of most companies. Forever 21 asks the applicant to fill in an application form, or they apply by filling in the Forever 21 online application. After an initial assessment, Forever 21 gives the applicants aptitude examinations and evaluations, followed by group, individual, or panel interviews.
Forever 21 conducts group interviews as an open discussion. They encourage the participants to answer questions and take part. Forever 21 then assesses them accordingly. With the aim of the interviewer to assess the candidates, there is necessarily some comparison with the other candidates. It is up to the candidate to show motivation, trainability, aptitude, people skills, and being an all-around personable applicant. Being knowledgeable about the industry, fashion trends, clothing and textiles, and about Forever 21 would be a good help during the interviews.
The group interviews bring out the character of the candidate. Other personality traits such as being helpful, able to explain something clearly, and the ability to use charm in certain situations are little touches that would get the attention of the interviewer. The overall interaction with the rest of the group would also stand out in memory when it comes time to evaluate the group interview. Usually, in group interviews, it is a matter of showing the greatest potential among all the other candidates that would help in getting the job. The applicant has to be wary, however, of being too pushy or being a know-it-all to the detriment of the group, as being abrasive would not help score high marks.
It would help to break the ice if the applicant were to discuss clothes, specifically, what types of clothes an individual wears. Off tangent, the discussion can also go towards what customers are wearing, and whether this is the same style Forever 21 would be pursuing. In the world of fashion, the only constant is change. Forever 21, as a fashion retailer, recognizes they must be able to fulfill their clients’ requirements for new fashion. In this sense, Forever 21 has maintained its leadership by bringing fashion to its young customers, without alienating older patrons.
The Forever 21 style is almost conservative considering it targets a young demographic. Please note, although the styles are trendy, they also tread a thin line between teeny-bopper and dated. The conservative approach to Forever 21 design is wholly the decision of its founder. This is not a place for punk, emo, or any rebellious undertones. The brightly lit displays belie a clean-cut image which fits well with the younger market. Forever 21 applicants have to keep in mind the fashion is for a certain age group, and it also attracts older customers. Getting them to buy a certain fashion takes some work in understanding what the customer really wants and needs. Forever 21 looks out for applicants on their toes and able to see these opportunities.
The Forever 21 employment application process itself reflects the company culture; however, to provide the best service for its customers, it is also an effective screening process.
Forever21 Benefits
As part of its commitment to giving its employees competitive pay, Forever 21 also offers a comprehensive list of perks and benefits. Forever 21 offers a flexible work schedule, opportunities for paid training, career growth opportunities, and discounts on Forever 21 merchandise. They also have a casual dress code.
Besides the above-average pay scale, qualified full-time employees receive other financial options in their employee benefits package. Other benefits include health benefits, life insurance, and disability benefit coverage and financial planning help. Other health benefits include paid vacation time off, holiday pay, and sick leaves. Financial planning help includes 401(K) retirement plan and profit-sharing with bonus incentives for eligible employees. The health care coverage often includes vision, dental, and medical insurance.
Because many stores are franchises, Forever 21 does not standardize their benefits packages for all employees. Franchise store employees may have a set of packages different from employees of company-owned stores. In addition, because of eligibility requirements, only qualified employees earn some perks and packages. Variations in local and state laws and regulations also result in differences in benefits packages between stores.
Things To Know About Forever21
Do Won Chang and his wife Jin Sook Chang, South Korean immigrants who wanted to establish a store to sell Korean fashion to the Los Angeles Korean community, founded Forever 21. In 30 years, it has grown to a chain of 480 stores on three continents. They achieved this with no mergers or acquisitions of competing chains or like stores. The popularity of the product line soon resulted in a growing number of stores.
The resulting popularity of the merchandise and the store’s marketing style has also made it popular abroad. The allure of a young market has made the company grow through the strength of its franchises.
Forever 21 first began under the name Fashion 21 before it became a chain of stores. The Fashion 21 name is still in use in the first store’s signage. Most of the early stores were standalone shops. Now, however, Forever 21 targets malls for their new store locations. This is a trend which is happening with other branches abroad.
Adding fuel for growth are franchise stores. Most Forever 21 stores overseas are franchises. Although primarily a store for young women, teen girls and young men, the Forever 21 group of companies also cater to other demographics. It is interesting to note although the company started out marketing Korean fashion to the Korean community in Los Angeles; it has localized its approach to a more culturally diverse market. No longer heavily dependent on Korean fashion trends, the retail chain maintains a distinctive design which appeals to a young target market. It has carved a niche which is truly Forever 21.
Even with its franchises, the store maintains its own distinctive look. This ensures all branches have a common look and feel regardless of their specific location. The target market of teens to young adults may also have contributed to its popularity. The preppy colors and styles help define the younger generation and their choice of clothes. While the store has been catering to the same demographics, loyal customers do not always move on, but bring in their own children who have now become the new or current target market.
Since Forever 21 began in 1984, Korean fashion has gone mainstream, similar to Japanese pop fashion. Today’s Forever 21 merchandise is no longer all from Korea. A survey of Forever 21 stores would show the merchandise has a distinct style unique to the retail chain. At the same time, it has moved from representing Korean fashion and has become a top-notch store with a loyal following.
Forever 21 Careers Page: http://www.forever21.com/Careers
