How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Plato's Closet?

Do you enjoy going through your friend's closet when they aren't looking? Do you know what the hottest styles in denim are? When someone asks you out on a date, do you check their shoes before saying "yes"?  Do you enjoy getting discounts on cool stuff? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a job at Plato's Closet might be perfect for you.

At Plato's Closet, they buy and sell gently used clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories for guys and girls in their teens and twenties. They have all the name brands and styles you love at up to 70% less than regular retail prices. They look for brands such as American Eagle, Free People, Nike, Urban Outfitters, Adidas, and many many more...

Generally speaking, to get a job at Plato's Closet as a sales associate/cashier, shift leader/key holder, or buyer,  you must be at least 16 years old. 

Teen Jobs at Plato's Closet and Age Requirements

Sales Associate/Cashier (Hourly)

Sales Associates at Plato's Closet greet customers immediately, determine their needs, and handle the sales transactions in a professional and enthusiastic manner. 

Job responsibilities include:

• Become familiar with products, brands, and prices and make recommendations to customers.
• Check-in customers who want to sell clothing and explain the buying process to them.
• Walk the floor and check-in on customers.
• Run clothing back to the floor after customers have tried them on.
• Tag clothing that has been purchased based on the established process and procedures.
• Maintain store displays and follow store housekeeping and maintenance standards and procedures.
• Assist with store security loss prevention by walking the sales floor and monitoring the dressing rooms.

To work as a sales associate/cashier at Plato's Closet, you must be friendly, courteous and helpful towards customers and your co-workers at all times. You should be capable of reacting to customer needs and making quick, appropriate decisions.

Sales associates must also have the ability to learn new things quickly in a fast-paced environment, and be able to communicate and make recommendations to fellow employees. The minimum hiring age for a sales associate/cashier at Plato's Closet is usually 16.

Buyer (Hourly)

Buyers at Plato's Closet are trained as sales associates/cashiers, but they also have one extra job responsibility -- buying used clothing and accessories from customers based on company standards and guidelines.

Plato's Closet Buyers help promote all aspects of the business including but not limited to buying, selling, pricing, and merchandising. They promote a high level of customer service by ensuring customers are assisted in an enthusiastic, timely, and knowledgeable manner. And, they assist store management in daily store operations, including the buying of used merchandise.

Job Responsibilities include:

• Exhibit appropriate selling and buying behaviors. Greet customers immediately, determine their needs, and handle all transactions in a professional and enthusiastic manner.
• Become familiar with products, brands, and prices and make recommendations of products, including their features and benefits, to suit customers’ needs. Maximize sales and customer satisfaction by adding items to the close of the sale.
• Buy used products, reinforcing the customers’ purchases and sales to the store. Invite customers to return to the store to buy, sell, or trade and promote the image of the store concept.
• Price and ticket items based on pricing and buying guidelines. Restock store following merchandising plan. Maintain store displays and follow store housekeeping and maintenance standards and procedures.
• Develop proficiency in operating computerized Point of Sale (POS) and sales tracking systems for all sales transactions, buys, returns, etc.
• Achieve personal and store sales goals by applying sound customer service and sales protocol.

To work as a Buyer at Plato's Closet, you must be at least 16 years old. Buyers must also have excellent customer service skills, be able to work as a member of a team, and be goal driven.

Shift Leader/Key Holder (Hourly)

Shift Leaders/Key Holders at Plato's Closet assist in managing and promoting all aspects of the business; including but not limited to buying, pricing, sales, merchandising, loss prevention, training and supervising staff. 

They promote a high level of customer service and continually strive for innovative solutions and alternatives in bettering the business. The job responsibilities of a shift leader/key holder include:

• Lead assigned shifts, ensuring that customers are greeted immediately, their needs are determined, and all transactions are handled in a professional and enthusiastic manner.
• Opening and closing responsibilities, including but not limited to: key control, locking and arming the store, cash handling responsibilities, and ensuring the store is suitable for opening the next day.
• Become familiar with products, brands and prices and make recommendations of products, including their features and benefits, to suit customers’ needs. Maximize sales and customer satisfaction by adding items to the close of the sale.
• Buy used products, reinforcing the customers’ purchases and sales to the store. Invite customers to return to the store with their used items for product to sell; educating the customer about the buy process.
• Price and ticket items based on pricing and buying guidelines. Restock store following merchandising plan. Maintain store displays and follow store housekeeping and maintenance standards and procedures.
• Develop proficiency in operating POS systems for all sales transactions, buys, returns, etc.

To work as a shift leader/key holder at Plato's Closet, you must be at least 16 years old. Previous retail experience is also preferred, along with excellent time management skills, multi-tasking ability, and a high level of responsibility.

Can a 15 Year Old Work at Plato's Closet?

Because the minimum age to work at Plato's Closet is generally 16, 15-year-olds usually can’t work there. However, some locations may hire a 15-year-old with a work permit. We have a page on our website specifically for 15-year-olds that you can use for other options.

Can a 16 Year Old Work at Plato's Closet? 

Yes! 16-year-olds can work at Plato's Closet. We have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-olds that you can also view for other options.

How Much Does Plato's Closet Pay Part-Time Workers?

The hourly earnings for employees at Plato's Closet vary because of state and city minimum wage laws. However, we can give you a general idea of what the hourly pay is for each position. 

Sales Associate/Cashier (Hourly)

Sales Associates/Cashiers at Plato's Closet usually earn somewhere between $14 and $17 per hour. Most stores also have opportunities for employees to earn monthly, quarterly, and/or annual bonuses based on job performance and store sales.

Buyer (Hourly)

Buyers at Plato's Closet usually earn somewhere between $14 and $17 per hour. Most stores also have opportunities for employees to earn monthly, quarterly, and/or annual bonuses based on job performance and store sales.

Shift Leader/Key Holder (Hourly)

Shift Leaders/Key Holders at Plato's Closet usually earn somewhere between $15 and $20 per hour. Most stores also have opportunities for employees to earn monthly, quarterly, and/or annual bonuses based on job performance and store sales.

How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at Plato's Closet?

Plato's Closet is an entry-level, friendly company, so you can apply without any experience and get hired. However, if you do have previous retail experience, that allows you to negotiate a higher rate of pay. This also makes you immediately eligible for a position with more responsibility, like shift leader/key holder.

What Should You Wear to a Job Interview at Plato's Closet?

When you show up for your interview at Plato's Closet, you will want to be dressed in stylish, business casual attire.  If you have items from Plato's Closet that would work well for a job interview outfit, then definitely wear them! 

You don't want to show up in attire that's too casual, like a t-shirt and jeans. But you don’t need to be too formal and show up in a business suit. 

Plato's Closet Interview Questions

The possible questions in a job interview are endless, and it always depends on the interviewer. There are some common questions that they have been known to ask most applicants. However, be prepared for some curveball questions. 

Do you work well with a team?

Why are they asking?  

There are a lot of different positions in the store, and each one has individual responsibilities that will make the store run efficiently and smoothly. They want to know if you can do your part and work well with the team at Plato's Closet. 

What’s the ideal answer?

Obviously, the ideal answer to this question is “yes.” If you have examples from previous jobs or school situations where you have worked successfully with a team, then definitely share those. 

You should, however, be honest. If you're not a team player this probably isn't the job for you.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Why are they asking?  

If they ask you this question, they are trying to find out what job skills you can bring to the position, and what you need to work on. 

Applicants are usually able to communicate their strengths, but when it comes to weaknesses, some think it’s best to say they don’t have any or can’t think of any. Don’t do this —that answer is a red flag.

What’s the ideal answer?

The hiring manager wants to know if you can accept feedback and develop your own skills. Give one or two strengths with examples to go with them. Then list one or two weaknesses, and describe how you’re working on them.

A good answer for a weakness would be something like, “I’ve been told I speak too quickly, so I’ve been practicing slowing down when talking with customers.”

Why should we hire you?

Why are they asking?  

If a manager asks you this question, they are trying to get you to sell yourself. A big part of your job at Plato's Closet is to give fantastic customer service and to be able to drive sales with excellent communication and product knowledge. 

They are wanting to find out how well you can communicate while being positive and professional. If you can sell yourself, you can sell their merchandise.

What’s the ideal answer?

Know your strengths. If you get asked this question, tell them how you will benefit their business. They want to hear that you are creative, have above average verbal communication skills, have a friendly and upbeat demeanor, and can successfully sell merchandise.

Tell them that you are a reliable worker who will show up to work on time for every scheduled shift. If you want a career with Plato's Closet, definitely let them know because there are opportunities for advancement within the franchise system and their parent company, Winmark. 

There are also franchise opportunities where you can work towards owning your very own Plato's Closet.

Benefits of Working at Plato's Closet 

Everyone who works at Plato's Closet gets a merchandise discount and a flexible schedule.  However, the benefits they offer are for full-time workers only.

Benefits include:

• Performance Bonus
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Health Insurance, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance

What it’s Like to Work at Plato's Closet

How to Apply at Plato's Closet

If you are interested in applying for a full or part time job at Plato's Closet, click here for the store locator to find the store nearest you. When you find the web page for the store you want to work at, click on "Jobs," download an application and fill it out, then bring it into the store and give it to the manager.

Each Plato's Closet is owned by a franchisee, so hiring practices and rules do vary.  Some locations post available jobs on third party job sites like GlassDoor and Indeed.