Cotton On Careers 2025: How to Land a Job in Retail and Fashion

Why Choose Cotton On in 2025?

Cotton On Group, founded in 1991, is Australia's largest value fashion retailer, boasting brands like Cotton On, Cotton On Body, Cotton On Kids, Rubi Shoes, Typo, Factorie, and Supré. With 1,298 stores across 22 countries, including 574 in Australia, it's a powerhouse rooted in Aussie culture, as noted on the Cotton On Group Careers Page. Its global reach spans Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and Europe, offering diverse career opportunities.

In 2025, Cotton On stands out as a top employer, voted the Best Fashion Employer in Australia by Gen Z in the 2024 YouthInsight report by Student Edge, based on a survey of nearly 1,000 Australians aged 15–24. It also ranked #773 on Forbes' World's Best Employers 2024, the only Australian fashion retailer on the list. This recognition highlights its vibrant workplace culture, making it ideal for those passionate about retail and fashion. Interested in other retail giants? Explore our guide to Woolworths careers or browse our career blog for more opportunities.

"Cotton On's culture is fun and supportive, perfect for young people starting out in fashion." – Employee, Melbourne (Reddit)

Application Process at Cotton On

Landing a job at Cotton On is straightforward if you follow the right steps. Start by visiting the Cotton On Careers Page to browse openings, filtering by location or role type. Create an account to join the Talent Community for job alerts, then submit your application online with a resume highlighting retail or fashion experience. The interview, often with a store manager, is relaxed and focuses on your personality and customer service skills, as shared in Glassdoor reviews.

Tips for Success

Tailor your resume to showcase relevant experience and align with Cotton On's values like creativity and positivity. Prepare for behavioral questions, such as "How do you handle a busy store?" Insider tips from Reddit suggest wearing Cotton On attire to interviews and mentioning the Cotton On Foundation to show brand enthusiasm. Need resume help? Try our Resume Builder to craft a standout application, or check out our guide to Kmart jobs for more retail application tips.

Available Roles at Cotton On

Cotton On offers a variety of roles for different career stages, as listed on the Cotton On Careers Page. In-store positions include Sales Associate, Retail Assistant, Store Manager, and Assistant Store Manager, focusing on customer service and store operations. Corporate roles, such as Buyer, Merchandise Allocator, Product Developer, and Digital Marketing Coordinator, cater to those interested in fashion strategy. Graduate programs in fashion, trend analysis, and assistant buying are perfect for recent grads.

With opportunities in 22 countries, including Botswana and China, Cotton On provides global career paths. For similar retail roles, explore our guide to Target jobs or learn about retail jobs in Australia for broader industry insights.

Pay Rates and Benefits

Pay at Cotton On varies by role and location. According to Payscale, the average hourly rate in Australia is AU$23.24, ranging from AU$17.63 to AU$30.64. Sales Associates earn around AU$23.24 per hour, while Retail Assistants average AU$20.20. Salaried roles, like Department Manager (AU$53,876/year) and Area Manager (AU$68,454/year), offer higher earnings. Some Indeed reviews report higher rates, such as AU$25.79 for Sales Associates, suggesting location-based variations.

Benefits include a 50% discount across all Cotton On brands, career progression opportunities, and flexible working arrangements, as highlighted on the Cotton On Careers Page. Employees on Glassdoor love the discount but note pay could be higher. Curious about other retailers? Check our guide to ALDI careers for pay and benefit comparisons.

Opportunities for International Applicants

International applicants need a valid visa with Australian work rights, as Cotton On rarely offers sponsorship, per lists on Getting Down Under. Highlight retail or customer service experience and show understanding of Australian workplace culture to stand out. Ensure all visa documentation is valid before applying via the Cotton On Careers Page. For other visa-friendly roles, explore nursing jobs in Australia or our career blog for global career tips.

Career Progression at Cotton On

Cotton On offers clear advancement paths, from entry-level roles to management, with training and leadership programs, as noted on the Cotton On Careers Page. Employees like Elijah at the Distribution Centre highlight opportunities to grow into leadership roles. However, Glassdoor reviews (3.1/5 for career opportunities) suggest progression can be limited for non-management roles, with some noting, "Opportunity to grow is minimal unless you aim for management." For alternative career paths, see our guide to human resources jobs or apprenticeships in Australia.

"The training programs helped me move from Sales Associate to Assistant Manager in two years!" – Employee, Sydney (SEEK)

Resources for Applicants

The Cotton On Careers Page is your go-to for job listings, application guides, and FAQs. It includes region-specific opportunities, like roles in Botswana and China. Contact recruitment@cottonon.com.au for inquiries. To boost your application, use our Resume Builder to create a tailored resume, or explore our guide to Bunnings careers for more retail job tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need experience to work at Cotton On? No, many entry-level roles like Sales Associate require only enthusiasm and basic customer service skills.
• What is the interview process like at Cotton On? It typically involves a relaxed interview with a store manager, focusing on personality and customer service.
• Can international applicants work at Cotton On in Australia? Yes, but you need a valid visa with Australian work rights, as sponsorship is rare.
• What benefits does Cotton On offer? Benefits include a 50% staff discount, flexible hours, and career progression opportunities.