The Ultimate Guide to Getting Hired at Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is a true giant in the arts and crafts retail space. Founded in 1972, the company now boasts 956 stores across 46 states, employing over 43,000 people. In fact, Hobby Lobby is the largest privately-owned arts and crafts retailer in the world.

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For creative, service-oriented job seekers, Hobby Lobby offers diverse opportunities to transform a passion into a career. I‘ve worked in retail management for over a decade, helping hundreds of candidates navigate the hiring process. Now, I‘ll share my insider knowledge to help you understand the Hobby Lobby hiring experience from application to offer letter.

We‘ll dive deep into:

  • The step-by-step Hobby Lobby hiring process
  • The famous Hobby Lobby math test, with sample questions
  • Key qualities Hobby Lobby looks for in employees
  • Tips for acing your Hobby Lobby interview
  • Differences in the hiring process for entry-level vs. management roles
  • How Hobby Lobby‘s hiring compares to other top retailers

Whether you‘re looking for a part-time sales role or a full-time management position, this guide will give you the tools to stand out and land your dream job at Hobby Lobby. Let‘s jump in!

Hobby Lobby Jobs: The Basics

Hobby Lobby offers a range of in-store positions to fit nearly any schedule and skill set. The most common roles include:

  • Cashier: Handle transactions, bag items, answer customer questions
  • Sales Associate: Provide customer service, clean and organize the sales floor, run the cash register as needed
  • Department Head: Manage inventory and merchandising for a specific department, delegate tasks to team members
  • Co-Manager & Store Manager: Oversee day-to-day store operations, manage staff, handle escalated customer issues

At the corporate level, Hobby Lobby hires for finance, IT, HR, marketing, legal, and other typical business functions. Corporate roles are based out of Hobby Lobby‘s Oklahoma City headquarters.

Hobby Lobby also maintains a distribution network to keep its 900+ stores stocked. Its 9 distribution centers employ warehouse associates, forklift drivers, and managers.

The Hobby Lobby Hiring Process

Step 1: Application

The Hobby Lobby hiring process always begins with an application – but it has to be on paper. Unlike many competitors, Hobby Lobby doesn‘t offer online applications for most store positions. Applying in person is a must.

To maximize your chances, pick a slower time like a weekday morning to visit your local store and request an application. Fill it out neatly and completely, and don‘t forget to attach a resume. While it‘s not required, a tailored resume will help you stand out, even for entry-level openings.

Try to turn in your application to a manager directly. Introduce yourself, share your enthusiasm for the role, and let your personality shine. Making a strong first impression here can fast-track you to an interview!

Step 2: Interview

If you‘re selected to move forward, you‘ll be invited for an in-person interview, typically with the store manager. Hobby Lobby interviews tend to last around 30 minutes and include a mix of behavioral and retail-specific questions.

To wow your interviewer, prepare answers to common questions like:

  • Why do you want to work at Hobby Lobby?
  • What do you know about our company and products?
  • How would you define excellent customer service?
  • Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer or team member.
  • What craft projects have you done that you‘re especially proud of?

Practice storytelling to give memorable, specific examples of your skills in action. Hobby Lobby values retail experience, but don‘t worry if you don‘t have any – enthusiasm, creative spirit, and a willingness to learn can set you apart.

One quirky Hobby Lobby interview question to look out for: "Tell me about a time you chose your job over your family." If you get this one, take a deep breath. Hobby Lobby is looking for loyalty and strong work ethic, but you don‘t need to say you‘d miss your kid‘s piano recital for a shift. Explain how you honor your commitments and are willing to step up when needed – while still valuing work-life balance.

Step 3: Math Test

Immediately after your interview, you‘ll take Hobby Lobby‘s famous math test. While the word "test" can feel scary, this one covers middle-school level math used daily by retail employees. You‘ll have about 30 minutes to complete it.

The test format is multiple choice, and calculators aren‘t allowed. Questions cover:

  • Basic operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
  • Decimals, fractions, and percentages
  • Making change & calculating sales tax

Here are a few sample questions to give you a feel:

  • If a customer buys a $4.99 sketchbook and a $8.49 set of colored pencils, what is their total before tax?
  • Poster board is 20% off its regular price of $0.50. How much will 4 poster boards cost?
  • If a customer‘s total comes to $16.76 and they give you a $20 bill, how much change should you give them?

To shine on this test, refresh your mental math abilities. Try calculating sale discounts and change at home or when shopping. With a little practice, you‘ll be in great shape for test day!

Step 4: Background Check & Drug Screen

Hobby Lobby, like most major retailers, requires a background check before making a final offer. This looks for any criminal history that could pose a risk in a retail role, like theft or violent offenses. Expect this process to take a few days.

While Hobby Lobby doesn‘t mandate drug tests for all roles, certain positions or locations may require screening. These are most common for safety-sensitive jobs like warehouse or management roles. If your role requires a test, you‘ll complete a basic 5-panel urine screening through a third-party provider.

Step 5: Offer & Onboarding

Congrats, you aced the interview and math test! A store manager will reach out, usually within a week, to extend a verbal job offer. You‘ll review key details like:

  • Job title & description
  • Full-time or part-time status
  • Hourly pay rate
  • Start date & orientation schedule

For part-time entry-level roles, expect Hobby Lobby‘s $15-$17 per hour starting wage, totaling $23,400 annually for part-time (25hrs/wk) or $31,200 for full-time. With experience, pay climbs to an average of $18/hour for cashiers and $20/hour for department heads. Assistant managers average $45,500 yearly, while store managers can earn over $60k.

If everything checks out, you‘ll come in for new hire orientation and fill out your official onboarding paperwork before diving into training. Welcome to the Hobby Lobby team!

Qualities of Top Hobby Lobby Employees

Through its hiring process, Hobby Lobby seeks applicants who share its core values. These include:

Serving Others: Hobby Lobby is all about creating an exceptional customer experience. Ideal employees are service superstars who go out of their way to understand needs, answer questions, and ensure shoppers leave satisfied. Emphasize any experience in service roles and share examples of your helpful nature.

Strong Work Ethic: Retail is fast-paced and sometimes thankless. Hobby Lobby wants team members willing to put in the effort to get things done, whether that‘s helping a customer find the perfect bead or staying late to clean up after a rush. Describe a time you displayed grit and hustle with a positive attitude.

Attention to Detail: With 1000s of SKUs, Hobby Lobby needs staff who take pride in keeping shelves stocked, straight, and sparkling. If you‘re an organization wiz, call it out! Explain how your meticulousness will create an inviting store environment.

Creative Spirit: Hobby Lobby team members are crafty experts, ready to swap project ideas and troubleshooting tips with curious customers. Share your passion for DIY and any artistic hobbies or experience. Enthusiasm is key!

Teamwork: Hobby Lobby functions best when all staff work together, from cashiers to stockers to managers. Give examples of how you support colleagues, communicate clearly, and put the group‘s success first. Retail rookies can reference teamwork in school, sports, or volunteer roles.

Conservative Values: Hobby Lobby‘s Christian roots inform its workplace culture. Stores are closed on Sundays, and the company takes public stances against issues like LGBTQ rights and contraception access. You don‘t have to share these views, but should consider if you‘ll be comfortable in an expressly religious environment.

While no candidate will be a perfect Hobby Lobby employee, reflecting values like service, hustle, and cooperation will position you for success.

Expert Interview Tips

To stand out in your Hobby Lobby interview, keep these key tips in mind:

  • Know Your Stuff: Actively prepare by practicing common retail and behavioral interview questions. The more you review and role play in advance, the more confident you‘ll feel!

  • Do Your Homework: Research Hobby Lobby‘s history, bestsellers, and recent news. Reference these details in your interview to show you understand the company. Read over the job description and be ready to share how you‘ll excel in each responsibility.

  • Share Your Why: Hobby Lobby wants to hire passionate team members who love its products and purpose. When asked why you want to work for Hobby Lobby, gush about your favorite craft projects, the store‘s unmatched supply, or its commitment to service and creativity. Make it personal!

  • Don‘t Stress the Math Test: While you should practice, remember this test is designed to be passable. If math isn‘t your forte, allocate more time to studying and take your time during the test. As long as you understand basic retail math, you‘ll do great!

  • Be Humble Yet Confident: Hobby Lobby appreciates a strong work ethic, so share examples of your successes and commitment to going above and beyond. At the same time, stay humble and show your eagerness to learn. You‘ll stand out as capable yet coachable.

Hiring for Higher Level Roles

While the core hiring process is similar across roles, expect a few key differences when applying for management and corporate positions at Hobby Lobby:

  • Longer Interviews: Interviews for leadership roles tend to last 45-60 minutes and involve multiple rounds. You‘ll likely meet with the store manager, district manager, and regional manager for retail roles. Corporate interviews often include an HR rep and the department head.

  • Skills Assessments: Expect job-specific assessments to verify you have the technical abilities for the role. For example, corporate finance candidates may take an accounting test, while distribution center managers complete a safety quiz. Store leadership interviews often include role plays to evaluate problem-solving and people skills.

  • Work Samples: Depending on the position, you may need to provide work samples like writing or design projects. Practice explaining your process and impact for each.

  • Detailed Reference Checks: Hobby Lobby takes great care in selecting leaders, so expect them to thoroughly vet your references. Choose managers or mentors who can speak to your relevant skills and expertise.

The interview content also gets more complex for higher-level roles. Expect in-depth questions on your leadership style, development goals, and experience with budgets, hiring, and strategy. Share clear examples of how you‘ve driven results and supported teams in past positions.

How Hobby Lobby Hiring Stacks Up

Every major retailer takes a slightly different approach to hiring. Here‘s how Hobby Lobby compares:

  • Application: Requiring in-person paper applications is unique to Hobby Lobby. Competitors like Michaels and JOANN Fabric accept online apps, though some like HomeGoods still expect in-store forms for entry-level roles.

  • Interview: One-on-one interviews are the norm across retail. However, some big box stores like Walmart and Target are shifting to group interviews for entry-level roles to compare candidates and save time.

  • Assessments: Many retailers use personality tests (separate from skills assessments) to see if candidates are a strong culture fit. For example, IKEA retail applicants take an online questionnaire focused on multitasking and customer service. Hobby Lobby‘s math test, while unusual, aligns with its preference for vetting practical skills vs. personality.

  • Candidate Experience: With its paper apps and in-person interviews, applying to Hobby Lobby involves more facetime than many retail peers. This can slow the process, but also enables candidates to build relationships and showcase soft skills. Retailers that have shifted to 100% online applications sacrifice that early impression.

  • Wages: In 2021, Hobby Lobby raised its full-time minimum wage to $17/hour, among the highest in retail. For comparison, Michael‘s, JOANN, and HomeGoods pay around $11-$13 per hour on average.

So while much of the Hobby Lobby hiring process mirrors the broader retail industry, the company‘s expectations around applications, assessments, and pay all have a unique spin. As a candidate, consider which environment best fits your skills and style.

Key Takeaways for Hobby Lobby Hopefuls

We‘ve covered a ton! Here are the highlights to remember as you begin your Hobby Lobby job search:

  1. Apply in Person: Save time by bringing your completed application and resume to the store directly. Aim for slower periods to catch a manager and make a winning first impression.

  2. Ace the Interview: Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common questions by reflecting on your customer service skills, retail experience, and passion for crafting. Let your personality shine.

  3. Brush Up on Math: Hobby Lobby‘s retail math test covers core skills like calculating change and discounts. Dedicate time to reviewing equations and practicing mental math. You‘ve got this!

  4. Highlight Cultural Fit: Hobby Lobby looks for team members who are service stars, problem solvers, and detail demons. Share past examples of how you‘ve excelled in fast-paced, people-centric environments.

  5. Be Patient: Hobby Lobby‘s hiring process can stretch up to a month, especially for roles requiring background or reference checks. Don‘t be afraid to (politely) check in if you haven‘t heard back within a week of your interview.

  6. Consider the Culture: Hobby Lobby is vocal about its conservative Christian values. Decide if you‘re comfortable in a workplace that takes public religious and political stances. You don‘t have to agree, but should feel at ease being yourself at work.

With these techniques in your toolkit, you‘ll be ready to impress Hobby Lobby hiring managers and score the role you want. Retail is a challenging yet incredibly rewarding field – you‘ll constantly be learning, stretching, and making someone‘s day brighter.

I know job hunting can be overwhelming, but by investing in preparation, holding yourself with humble confidence, and remembering your "why," you‘ll find the right fit at Hobby Lobby or beyond. Happy applying!