Frequently Asked Questions by our Candidates

Click on the drop down links to find our answers!

What are the first things you look for when a resume is submitted for an opening?

There are several key things we are looking for when reviewing resumes. The most important is relevant work experience in the area of the position being applied to. We also take duration of employment, scope of responsibilities, job level, and salary into consideration.

How important is it for a candidate applying to a design job to provide samples with application, or an easy way for you to view samples (i.e. - link to portfolio website)?

If you are applying for a creative design position, you must submit samples of your work. We need to be able to assess your design aesthetic and talent along with reviewing your work experience. The best format is an online portfolio site (i.e. Behance, Coroflot, Flikr) or uploading a multi-page PDF file along with your resume. It is important to submit relevant samples for the job you are applying for (i.e. Men's design samples for an opening on our Men's team). If you do not submit samples your application review could be delayed.

What is your feeling about people who apply for jobs which they obviously don't qualify for? Or apply to multiple openings at once?

Although we appreciate the excitement and passion behind many applicants' desire to work for Vans, it is best to only apply to positions you are truly qualified for. We are fortunate that we receive an overwhelming response of experienced candidates to our job postings and unqualified resumes will not be considered.

We recommend that students who wish to be considered for career opportunities at Vans upon graduation take advantage of internships within the industry while in school to help build their resume.

Applying to multiple positions is ok if the candidate is qualified for each one. For example, if someone has a strong background in both Marketing and Sales, then it's understandable why he or she has applied to multiple openings in different departments. It is always best to be focused in your job search and not just apply to any and everything.

How relevant are the responsibilities and requirements of your job descriptions? Does a person need to meet all, or almost all, of your specifics to be considered for an opening?

Candidates should ensure that they meet the majority of listed responsibilities and requirements before applying. Candidates who are selected for face-to-face interviews generally meet the majority of listed requirements.

Can you provide insight to key opportunities that exist in your company for experienced professionals?

Many positions we recruit for require a minimum 3 years of direct experience. It is our recruiting teams focus to hire experienced talent across all areas of the business.

Is there opportunity for career advancement with Vans; within the corporate headquarters, and through Retail operations?

Absolutely, over the past few years we have experienced tremendous growth both at the retail and corporate levels. As we continue to grow there will be new positions created and we love to promote from within!

What can job seekers expect in interviews?

We take a serious approach to our interview process as we're seeking to hire top talent, but the casual Vans culture and lifestyle is who we are and is reflected in our corporate office. We're all in jeans and Vans every day, so no suit or heels required! While casual attire is appropriate for our interviews, we expect candidates to be prepared. We enjoy meeting our candidates several times to get a complete understanding of who they are and why they want to work for Vans. We also want our candidates to know us and what a career at Vans has to offer if they are extended a job offer.

What is the worst mistake someone can make, or has made, in an interview?

Preparation: not being prepared is always evident from the start. We recommend all candidates do their Vans research and visit at least one of our over 250 stores prior to coming in. If you do not have a Vans store nearby, you can go to www.vans.com. After all, if you want to work for Vans, it's never too early to immerse yourself in our rich history, heritage and product!

What can job seekers do, in the short or long-term, to increase the chance of employment with Vans?

Keep in contact with us! Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter to see what new positions we're recruiting for.

In the long term:
Continue building your resume with relevant work experience in the area of our business that you would like to become a part of here at Vans. Pursue additional education or classes to refine and build on current skill sets.

What else would you like job seekers to know about Vans?

What sets Vans apart from our competition is our heritage and authenticity; we're an original since 1966! If you want to work for a company that values talent, innovation, creativity, hard work, and still maintain a fun work environment then this is your place. Whether it's someone skateboarding down the hallway, attending the Vans Warped Tour with co-workers or taking part in a Global Sales Meeting in Huntington Beach, there is no shortage of culture here.

Vans is a division of VF Corporation, the world's largest apparel company. VF holds 25 brands including Reef, The North Face, 7 for all Mankind, John Varvatos, Ella Moss, Nautica, JanSport & Wrangler to name a few. There are many perks to being a part of VF including a comprehensive benefits package, career growth opportunities, employee discount programs and many more great perks!

Who is VF Corporation?

Vans is a brand of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC). VF, located in Greensboro, NC, is a $9 billion-plus apparel powerhouse, with an incredibly diverse, international portfolio of brands and products that reach consumers wherever they choose to shop. VF's portfolio includes more than 30 brands, including Wrangler®, The North Face®, Lee®, Vans®, Nautica®, 7 For All Mankind® Eagle Creek®, Eastpak®, Ella Moss®, JanSport®, lucy®, John Varvatos®, Kipling®, Majestic®, Napapijri®, Red Kap®, Reef®, Riders® and Splendid®. See more about VF at www.vfc.com.

How do I know if Vans is hiring?

You can check right here on our site - just view our current openings on the corporate home page or select Search Openings from the menu. We list all of our current openings on our site.

How long is the process to get hired?

The length of the hiring process varies by position and availability of the hiring manager. You can expect the process to take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. If you are being considered for an open position, our recruiters will keep you informed of the process.