Costco Job Application & Careers | Complete Guide To Getting Hired |
Costco is one of the biggest names in wholesales. The company started as a small enterprise with a few workers, but Costco wholesale is more than that today. Costco employs tens of thousands of employees across its 828 warehouses in over 12 countries.
Working at Costco is a dream for many job seekers as the company gives employment opportunities to those who would not have had it elsewhere. In addition, you can work at Costco without previous experience in the area. All you need is the readiness to learn and improve.
Costco job openings usually involve a lot of warehouse roles. However, there are several other positions you can apply for on costco.com. These include stockers, food service assistants, pharmacy technicians, store managers, call center officers, etc.
Due to this reason and others, many people aspire to work at Costco. However, when facing competition from other applicants, you need to make your best shot towards the role. To do so, we have written this guide to help you navigate the application process of Costco.
Company Overview
Founded: July 12, 1976
Founder: Jim Sinegal & Jeffrey Brotman
Industry: Wholesale
Website: costco.com
Headquarters: 999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, WA 98027, United States
Phone Number: 425-313-8100
Company Size: 10,000+ Employees
Costco wholesale is a global retail company where members can get the best prices on merchandise. There are different membership options available at Costco as well. Costco treats its members well but even does more for its employees.
Costco employees enjoy a family-like atmosphere where they can start their careers from scratch, learn and progress through the years. There are many reports about how great it is to work at the company. However, you should not jump in without some knowledge of the company.
Knowing basic information about Costco will help you ace the application process and impress your interviewers. It will also help you determine how well you will fit into the company and the best positions to apply for.
Applying For A Job With Costco
Applying for a job with Costco is pretty simple. Once you decide to work with Costco, go to their website to see available openings. You can also apply physically if the warehouse or office with the opening is close to you. To start the Costco job application process, there are three steps:
— Visit The Costco Careers Page
The first step is to visit the Costco Careers page. You can search for it directly online or click the link from the homepage. There are also links to the Costco careers page on various job application platforms. If you want to apply physically, walk into a Costco warehouse and ask if there is an opening.
— Search For Open Positions
If you consider an online application, your second step will be to browse the Careers page. There, you can search for open positions using various filters. For example, you can filter based on the job title, location, etc. If you see an opening for a position that suits you, do not hesitate to apply.
— Create Account & Complete Application Form
The final step is to create an account with Costco. On every job application page, you will see a button you can click to apply for the role. Once you click on it, you will be redirected to another page where you will create an account. To create an account for yourself on Costco, you must enter some details. These include your full name, email address, age, and location, among other basic information.
After filing the application form, you will have to upload your CV and resume. Then, click on “Submit” and wait for them to get back to you. If you are applying physically, you have to fill out the form and attach copies of your cover letter and resume. Then, you can submit it physically.
If your application is successful, you should get a response between 2 to 3 weeks, if not sooner. Usually, you will be contacted through your email or get a call. Following that, they will schedule an interview with you.
Costco Roles & Salaries
Whether you are a cashier assistant or pharmacy technician, working at Costco is a pleasure. Here are some typical roles in Costco:
— Data Engineer – Data Analytics
A data engineer – data analytics role in Costco is one of the company’s technical jobs to offer. If you intend to apply for this position, you must have a high education level and various skills.
They require specialized knowledge in related areas such as SQL, ETL, Azure, etc. You must also have 2 to 5 years of experience in these areas and others. Then, attach your resume and cover letter before submitting your application.
If you ace the application process, you will be employed as a full-time data engineer at Costco. This will open many other career opportunities for you as Costco mostly promotes from within.
— Licensed Optician
Costco employs licensed opticians in their business centers to cater to the eye care of their members/patients and staff. This is a specialized role, and you must possess the right professional skills before applying. Therefore, you must be able to perform diagnoses and treatments of various eye conditions.
Since you will often interact with people, the company requires you to be kind to patients, pay attention to details, etc. The role also requires hands-on experience with various eye examinations and treatment tools.
If your application is successful, you will be paid a competitive salary and enjoy work benefits like other full-time and part-time Costco employees.
Costco Interview Process
The interview process at Costco can be challenging. After a successful online application, the company will contact you for an interview. There can be several stages of interviews.
To perform optimally during your job interview, you need to prepare adequately. Start by dressing properly in formal wear. If you are applying for an administrative role, wear a suit. Otherwise, wear some business casual clothes like pants and a shirt without a tie. Ladies can wear a dress.
Also, do some background research on the company. This will enable you to answer questions like “why should we hire you?” In such a situation, you should answer by stating how you possess the best qualities for the role. Then, support it with some statement about the company’s objectives and how you can help achieve them.
You should be honest when answering interview questions. The interviewers might repeat some questions to assess the consistency in your answers. A common question you should prepare for is, “why do you want to work here?”
Ask your interviewers questions if you have any. After the last stage of the interview, you will be required to take a urine or drug test. These tests pertain to many roles, including cashier assistant, deli associate, truck driver, forklift driver, and Costco managers.
Costco Work Environment & Company Culture
The work environment at Costco is an amicable one. The company tries to create a family atmosphere at the workplace. This enables employees to work for the company’s goals while achieving theirs.
Working at any Costco home office requires you to have interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with team members. In addition, most roles will bring you in contact with members and other employees, so you have to be friendly.
Costco is big on equality. At the end of the job page, it is stated that Costco is a diverse workforce with a mission to encourage inclusion. Before applying for a job, you will also see a line that states that only religious and disability considerations are given to job requirements.
This is designed to foster diversity and inclusion at their business centers. To work at Costco, you can start from an entry-level position like a maintenance assistant. Meanwhile, you must be 18 before you can work at any Costco location.
Costco jobs are divided into three categories including warehouse, distribution, and corporate. The higher the type of job you want to apply for, the higher the requirements. You need college degrees and experience to work in corporate roles.
Warehouse and distribution jobs do not require much but pay well above the industry average. What makes working at Costco rewarding is the company culture of promoting from within. This means that you can start as a cashier assistant at a warehouse/store and be a manager or Vice President.
The Bottom Line
Working at Costco is a dream for many, so you must apply as soon as you see an opening. You can apply now or later if you are still working elsewhere. The staff at the call center will answer any questions you have about the job description.
The crucial thing is to put your best foot forward by dressing appropriately, answering questions excellently, and exuding confidence. Every job posting includes “required” and “recommended” attributes. You should strive to cover the two fields to increase your chances of being employed at Costco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it hard to get hired by Costco?
Getting hired by Costco can be challenging. The application and interview processes can be tedious, depending on the role you are applying for. First, you have to start with the application process, where you will create an account and fill out an application form. Then, you wait for a response regarding your application.
After a successful application, you will have to pass various stages of interviews. The earlier ones may be in groups where you will be assessed with other candidates. During the subsequent stages, you may get a tour of the premises to have a feel of the job you’re in for.
The process may seem hard if you consider the competition. However, you stand a great chance when you learn the requirements and work towards them accordingly. You should also utilize any advantage over others, such as extra certifications. This is where your previous work experience comes into use.
What are the qualifications to work at Costco?
To work at Costco, you must have the right qualifications. They differ for each role, but you will see a comprehensive list on the job posting. Warehouse and distribution roles require basic educational qualifications. You should also have good communication skills and be ready to learn.
If you want to work in the corporate division, you must have a college degree. In addition, it will help if you possess specialized certifications and previous experience in a similar role. Then, you must have the ability to blend into the work environment and contribute to Costco’s visions.
What are the benefits of working at Costco?
Costco Wholesale is one of the best employers in retail. Employees are paid competitive wages, whether hourly or annually. Apart from your salary, working at Costco will earn you benefits such as healthcare, vision, dental, and life insurance.
You may also enjoy paid annual leaves and sick days, depending on your role. Other perks include stock options and 401(k) retirement plans. Employees can also sign up for membership and buy wholesale goods on a budget.
You will be entitled to all these benefits as a full-time employee after your first 30 days of work. Essentially, contemplate the pay scale and the benefits offered by the company before deciding on whether or not you’ll apply to Costco.
Should I call Costco after applying online?
Usually, someone in HR will contact you if your application is successful. It may be through email or phone calls. If you do not receive a response after three weeks, you can contact the call center to inquire about your application.
Most times, if you do not get a response within 2 to 3 weeks, your application is not successful. However, you can still apply for other roles in the company. Another option is to sign up to be notified when another opening for a similar job.
It’s also great to learn about follow-up emails. You can further leverage this strategy to register your presence in the hiring manager’s mind. Following your interview, you can send an email highlighting some key parts of the interview and subtly check in on the status of your candidacy.
