Costco is frequently recognized as one of the best places to work in the retail industry, known for providing generous wages and benefits to its employees. With over 270,000 workers worldwide and continued growth, the wholesale giant is regularly hiring to staff its busy warehouses. But what exactly does it take to get hired at Costco?
As a 10-year retail industry veteran who has hired hundreds of workers myself, I‘m here to give you the inside scoop on Costco‘s hiring process. I‘ll walk you through it step-by-step, provide expert tips for success at each stage, and share some insider knowledge I gained from interviewing a Costco hiring manager. Whether you‘re looking for an entry-level position or have years of experience, this comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know to land a coveted job at Costco.
Why Work at Costco? Pay, Benefits and Culture
Let‘s start with the reasons so many people want to work at Costco. In an industry not exactly known for prioritizing employee welfare, Costco stands out for its exceptional treatment of workers. Here are some of the top reasons Costco consistently ranks as an employer of choice:
• High Pay: Costco famously has a national starting pay of $17 per hour for new hires as of 2021. This is significantly higher than the industry average and competitors like Amazon ($15), Target ($15), and Walmart ($12). Even part-time workers start at this rate and can earn raises quickly.
• Excellent Benefits: Costco offers some of the best benefits in retail for both full-time and part-time workers. This includes health and dental insurance, 401(k) plans, paid time off, life insurance, and employee stock purchase plans. Workers also get free Costco memberships, which is a major perk.
• Positive Culture: Costco has developed a reputation for having a friendly, supportive and inclusive workplace environment. Many employees report feeling valued and treated with respect by both management and co-workers. Costco promotes heavily from within and invests in developing its employees.
• Stability and Growth: As a consistently profitable and expanding company, Costco offers a level of job security not found at many other retailers. There are frequent opportunities to take on more responsibilities and advance your career over time.
When you add it all up, it‘s easy to see why Costco has an easier time attracting job applicants than many competitors. But that doesn‘t mean getting hired is easy. Costco still has rigorous standards and looks for specific traits in candidates. The next section will delve into exactly what it takes to make the cut.
Costco Hiring Process: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Now that you understand what makes Costco an appealing employer, let‘s go through the company‘s multi-step hiring process. While the exact procedure may vary slightly by location and position, here is the typical sequence of events:
1. Application
The first step is completing an online application via Costco‘s career portal. This involves submitting your contact information, work history, education, and references. You‘ll also need to pass an assessment with personality and skills-based questions.
It‘s critical to fill out the application thoroughly and honestly, as this is the time to make a positive first impression. Highlight any relevant experience you have in retail, customer service, teamwork or leadership. Emphasize your ability to multitask, solve problems and work in a fast-paced environment serving many customers.
2. Phone Screen
If your application passes the initial screening, you‘ll likely be contacted by a Costco hiring representative for a brief phone interview. This is a chance for them to confirm key information from your application, assess your communication skills and ask a few basic questions.
Treat this like any other interview, even though it‘s short and not face-to-face. That means preparing in advance, having thoughtful answers ready, and maintaining a friendly and professional tone. At the end, reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and working at Costco specifically.
3. Interviews
The next stage usually consists of one to three in-person interviews at the Costco warehouse location. The first interview is typically with the hiring manager, and any subsequent interviews may be with department supervisors or the general manager.
While the exact questions will vary, you can expect to discuss your work history, problem-solving abilities, experience working in teams, and knowledge of Costco and its unique retail model. They‘re looking for candidates who are highly motivated, able to work flexible shifts (including nights and weekends), and have a customer-focused attitude.
To prepare for your Costco interviews, start by carefully reviewing the job description so you know exactly what skills and traits they‘re seeking. Practice answers to common interview questions, and prepare specific examples from your own experience that demonstrate you have the right capabilities. Research Costco‘s history, business model and products so you can speak about them intelligently.
On the day of the interview, arrive early, dress neatly and professionally, and bring extra copies of your resume. Express your passion for the company and job, make good eye contact, and send thank you notes afterwards. Even if you‘re not selected, the hiring manager may keep you in mind for future openings if you make a strong impression.
4. Background Check and Drug Screening
All Costco job offers are contingent on passing a background check and drug test, which are conducted after a successful interview. These are standard policies for most major retailers to ensure a safe workplace.
The background check will verify key details like your identity, employment history and criminal record. Costco is known to be somewhat stricter than other companies in terms of what it will accept on a background check. Certain felony convictions may be disqualifying depending on the circumstances.
For the drug test, you‘ll need to visit a lab facility to provide a urine sample, usually within 48 hours of accepting the job offer. Costco tests for a range of illegal drugs including marijuana (even in some states where it is legal), cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines. If you test positive, you won‘t be hired, so it‘s best to abstain from any drug use once you begin the application process.
5. Orientation and Training
Congratulations, you‘ve made it through the interviews and screening! All that‘s left is to complete new hire orientation and training. This typically takes place over several days before you begin your regular shifts.
At orientation, you‘ll learn more about Costco‘s culture, policies and expectations. You‘ll fill out employment paperwork, receive your official Costco badge and employee handbook, and set up direct deposit for your paychecks. Orientation is paid and a great chance to ask any lingering questions you have about the job or company.
Next up is hands-on training specific to your department and role. You‘ll shadow experienced employees to learn the ropes, practice using any required equipment or technology, and get familiar with the products in your section. Costco places a big emphasis on customer service, so you‘ll also receive guidance on assisting shoppers and resolving any issues that arise.
An Inside Look at What Costco Wants: Tips from a Hiring Manager
To get an even deeper perspective on Costco‘s hiring process and what the company looks for in employees, I sat down with a warehouse hiring manager, David*, who agreed to share some insights. Here are some of the key takeaways from our conversation:
"When reviewing applications, I‘m always looking for candidates who have demonstrated a strong work ethic and ability to work as part of a team. Retail experience is a plus, but we‘re willing to train people who have the right attitude and personality. We can teach you the technical skills, but we can‘t teach you to be motivated, hardworking and outgoing. Those are the core traits we look for."
"In interviews, the best candidates are those who come prepared, have researched Costco, and can clearly articulate why they want to work here specifically. I also look for people who are genuinely friendly, positive and seem like they would work well with our customers and other employees. We pride ourselves on having a welcoming environment in the warehouse, so we want to hire people who will contribute to that."
"My biggest pieces of advice for job seekers are 1) Be flexible with your schedule, since retail hours can vary, 2) Highlight any experience you have working in fast-paced, physically demanding environments, and 3) Let your passion for the company and position shine through. We get a lot of applicants, so you need to do something to stand out and show us you really want to be here."
Costco Hiring by the Numbers: Key Data and Statistics
To put Costco‘s hiring process and needs into perspective, let‘s look at some relevant data and statistics:
• Costco currently operates 804 warehouses worldwide (at the end of fiscal year 2021), including 558 in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company has experienced steady organic growth over the past decade.
• Costco employs over 270,000 workers globally, with an average of 180 employees per warehouse. About 90% of employees are hourly workers, and roughly 40% work full-time schedules.
• According to Costco‘s CEO, the company promotes over 75% of its managers internally. Costco store managers make an average salary of $138,000 per year. This shows the significant opportunity for growth and income potential, even when starting in an hourly role.
• Costco‘s turnover rate is extremely low for the retail industry at just 6% overall, and 3% for employees who have been with the company over one year. This is a testament to its strong retention and employee satisfaction.
• A typical Costco warehouse generates over $200 million in sales annually, with an average of 68,000 member households. This high sales volume means there is constant demand for staff to keep operations running smoothly.
• Costco consistently ranks as one of the best companies to work for, placing 4th on Forbes‘ 2021 list of America‘s best large employers. Clearly, many Costco employees are happy with their jobs and the company‘s practices.
Common Costco Interview Questions
To help you prepare for your Costco interviews, here are ten of the most common questions candidates report being asked:
- Why do you want to work for Costco?
- What do you know about our company and business model?
- How would you describe your work style?
- Can you tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer?
- Do you have any experience working in retail or a similar environment?
- Are you comfortable working on your feet for long periods of time?
- What does excellent customer service mean to you?
- How flexible is your schedule? Are you willing to work nights, weekends and holidays?
- Can you recall a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or coworker?
- Do you have any questions for me about the job or Costco?
Remember, every interview will be a bit different, but preparing answers to these common queries will give you a solid foundation. The key is to draw upon your own experiences, let your personality shine through, and convey a genuine eagerness for the job.
Conclusion
I hope this in-depth look at how to get hired at Costco has given you the knowledge and confidence you need to go out and land the job. It‘s a process that requires significant effort and preparation, but working at Costco can be incredibly rewarding for the right candidates.
The most important things to remember are to tailor your application, prepare thoroughly for interviews, convey your passion for the company, and be open to any opportunity, even if it isn‘t your exact dream position. If you can get your foot in the door, Costco has a strong track record of promoting from within and providing career development.
While the competition may be stiff, don‘t get discouraged if it takes a few attempts to get hired. Costco regularly has new job openings posted on its website, so keep checking back and applying for relevant positions. You can also consider working with a staffing agency that partners with Costco or reaching out to current employees for advice and references.
No matter what stage of the process you‘re at, stay confident, persistent and true to yourself. If you can demonstrate the core qualities Costco looks for like strong work ethic, customer focus, teamwork and integrity, you‘ll greatly increase your chances of joining this renowned, fast-growing company. And if you ever need a refresher, you can always refer back to this guide. Best of luck in your job search!
*Name has been changed for privacy
