How to get job at running store?

I worked for a local running store for a long time. We rarely hired HS kids for a few key reasons:

1) Their availability is terrible, especially if they are a runner (i.e., doing track and/or XC). They hardly ever work a closing shift during the week because of practice/school and can hardly ever work a full shift on the weekends because of practice/meets/social events. The only time they could work was during the summer when we already have plenty of help.

2) If it's only an internship/summer work, then they are really only good for the register or an extra hand to help set up running events, expos, or field marketing events. It is not worth the effort to fully train the HS student on all of the shoes, insoles, recovery, nutrition, accessories, and apparel if they are only going to be on the floor for 3 months. By the time they actually learn anything they will be back to school.

3) We generally looked for people who had at least some customer service experience. LRS are all about the customer service, otherwise it would just be a Foot Locker, Dicks, or online store. Most HS students had zero customer service experience, so they were passed up immediately.

4) Most customers don't really take suggestions from HS students seriously and I completely understand. If a 35 year old father of 2 has questions about shin splints or training to BQ or nutrition questions, they are more likely to actually listen to someone who has run a marathon before or has done Boston or has a few seasons of life under their belt. Not a HS student who is just parroting what they've been told, but who lacks actual experience.

Just a few reasons off the top of my head....

Plus high school students haven’t (yet) qualified for BOSTON. This is very important.

Even if a high school kid can break 15mins for a 5k, there’s a chance his life will get derailed, he’ll get a temporary injury and his love for the sport will die, and running will no longer play a role in his life and he will never be willing to put in the work to qualify for BOSTON. “Did you Qualify for Boston?” Is the most important question to any runner nowadays in the minds of the average runner

If it doesn't work out for the reasons mentioned above, maybe you can find a job in a triathlon store?

1. Be female.

2. Be under 29.

3. Be attractive.

BOSTON is the American way wrote:

Plus high school students haven’t (yet) qualified for BOSTON. This is very important.

Even if a high school kid can break 15mins for a 5k, there’s a chance his life will get derailed, he’ll get a temporary injury and his love for the sport will die, and running will no longer play a role in his life and he will never be willing to put in the work to qualify for BOSTON. “Did you Qualify for Boston?” Is the most important question to any runner nowadays in the minds of the average runner

I hope you're joking.

People need to chill with all of the BQ stuff. Sub 15 in the 5k is easily a greater accomplishment (and more challenging) than running a BQ time.

Apply

Nat wrote:

Hello, I'm a high school student who runs track and cross country. Over the summer I'm finding an internship or job related activity. Because I enjoy and love running, I would like to do a job over the summer that has to do with running. My local running store rejected me for an internship saying that they don't need one. The running store in the city told me that they could employ me if I submitted a career form to them. I did but they haven't responded to me since. What should I do? Am I too young to work? Btw I'm a sophomore in high school.

Thank you,

You might be able to voluteer to coach an existing kids summer track program, or you could even start your own free running camp, or free coaching services.

You could also try to volunteer at any and every track meet and local race in your region. You might pick up enough knowledge to feel more comfortable setting up a youth race in the future.

You could also walk into local businesses, tell them you're from Fit Kidz (or whatever name you come up with), and ask them if they'd like to donate a gift certificate for the winner of your kid's race that follows your 3 week free running camp, designed to get kids active.

You'd be surprised at how much college coaches or even admissions departments would love a resume like that. Shows leadership, selflessness, and passion for the sport.

fgsgsdgsdfgd wrote:

You might be able to voluteer to coach an existing kids summer track program, or you could even start your own free running camp, or free coaching services.

You could also try to volunteer at any and every track meet and local race in your region. You might pick up enough knowledge to feel more comfortable setting up a youth race in the future.

You could also walk into local businesses, tell them you're from Fit Kidz (or whatever name you come up with), and ask them if they'd like to donate a gift certificate for the winner of your kid's race that follows your 3 week free running camp, designed to get kids active.

You'd be surprised at how much college coaches or even admissions departments would love a resume like that. Shows leadership, selflessness, and passion for the sport.

You misread his post. He wants to get an internship, not get sued.

I manage a shop and we do get the occasional high school applicant. We rarely, if ever, hire them. They're almost always great kids, but it is just as the other person said: their availability is slim to none, so it's hard to train them on everything, then have them gone for extended amounts of time, just to forget everything and not be able to stay up to date with what's happening in the store. Also, the credibility of a very young person is often in question with our customers simply because of their youth. Once you're in college they'll be less hesitant to hire you on.

Go down to the store and ask them. It's worth a try, don't get discouraged. Life is all about putting yourself out there and trying until you succeed.