Frequently Asked Questions by our Candidates

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.

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.

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 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 long does it take and what do I need to complete the online application?

The online application may take approximately 10-20 minutes. Some items that you may need while applying are: Previous work experience info including contact numbers and dates of employment, a resume if you would like to attach it, and past education information.

How do I follow up on my application?

Once you submit your application for an open position, it will be viewed by a Vans recruiter. Due to the amount of applications for most positions, we can't get back to all applicants. The best way to keep in touch with us is through our Vans Facebook or Vans LinkedIn pages, as we cannot get to all phone calls. Stalking the recruiter is not recommended.

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.

What if I don't have an e-mail address?

You can sign up for a FREE e-mail address right now! There are many options for free e-mail addresses, some of which are: Google Mail, Yahoo Mail, or AOL Mail.

Why is the application form displaying oddly on my computer screen?

Some browsers do not load the application page correctly. We are seeing this with older browsers and some MAC browsers. We suggest you try to update your browser to the newest version or try another browser to display the page correctly.

Will I get timed out of the system?

Yes, when you are completing an application, the page will time out at 1 hour. Since you are completing a full application, the process will take about 10-20 minutes. Please allow this time to completely fill out the application, but if you need to step away you can save your application and sign in later to finish.

How do I update my profile when my information changes?

You can log back into your profile at any time and update your information. Especially when you are applying for a different position than you previously indicated, it's a good idea to double-check that the qualifications you have listed accurately reflect your experience to ensure that you will be considered for the position.