How to Get a Job at Costco
2 to 3 week process
Mega department store Costco uses a variety of interview tactics to screen entry-level applicants and aspiring professional workers. The interview process generally takes about two or three weeks to complete from the initial submission of the required forms to the final interview session. Along the way, candidates sit through multiple job interviews featuring various formats, such as one-to-one, group, panel, and phone.
How the Process Works
In person interview
The Costco hiring process typically begins with a phone call to schedule a face-to-face job interview, which may include a question and answer session with one or more managers. Hiring personnel may dismiss candidates at any time during the interview process.
Second round interview
Successful applicants typically make it through at least one round of interviews and into the second phase of hiring. Job seekers may meet with the same managers in consecutive interviews, even on different days, and especially if third and fourth interviews prove necessary.
Group interviews
Costco job interviews generally take place with a mix of supervisors and managers. Any interview past the first or second phase almost exclusively features a 1:1 format. Group interviews and panel interviews most commonly occur in the early stages of the hiring process. The department store chain may also utilize human resources representatives to screen job hopefuls. Interviews take place on site at the desired store location. In some instances, a brief tour may occur; however, the retail chain generally limits exposing applicants to the actual culture of the job until formal hiring and training begins.
What Questions do They Ask?
Decisions to hire generally depend on responses given to Costco interview questions. Hiring managers often vary interview questions and tailor subject matters to the specific jobs for hire. Common questions encountered by entry-level Costco applicants for positions like sales representative and cashier assistant include:
- What is the best way to handle an angry customer?
- Do you excel as part of a team or working individually?
- How did you prepare for the interview process?
Does Costco Check My Background/Drug Test?
Immediately following the final interview, Costco may require some applicants to submit to background checks and drug testing. Policies on background checks and drug testing may vary by location.
How to Dress for Costco Interviews
What should you wear?
Though not implicit, applicants should look presentable when attending Costco interviews. Workers applying for managerial positions should exclusively wear suits and ties or professional dresses to each interview. Entry-level associates should also consider wearing formal clothing, although business-professional or business-casual attire also serves as acceptable dress for interviews.
How to Act During Costco Interviews
Enthusiasm to work as part of a team in retail settings show a strong fit for the position desired. Using past experiences to relate to Costco job responsibilities benefits applicants and demonstrates an actual desire to fit the position. Applicants should always display a positive outlook and remain confident to increase chances of gaining hire.
Insider Tips
Listen to video interviews with former employees.
Costco Greeter Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Costco Greeter: Okay my job title was basically like a Greeter, greeting people as they came into Costco, and also as they were leaving, if they had big ticket items, I was to check and make sure that they were on the receipt, and keeping my work area clean were basically my duties.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Costco Greeter: Work environment, it can be hectic but it was great. I liked the people that I worked with and actually I’m down for a re-hire, so I liked it. The people that I worked with, the environment was nice. I liked it.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Costco Greeter: The application wasn’t that hard. I know I took like a survey test and they really big on honesty, knowing that they can trust you with thievery and what not because you have more access to a lot of stuff that a lot of people don’t have. Once I got past that process, I had two interviews and once I got a okay from the first interview I was turned on to the shift supervisor, and once I did with the shift supervisor, it was great. Just gave me a date, gave me a drug test and that was it.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Costco Greeter: A lot of them was repetitive, they making sure that you mean what you say. I don’t remember exactly what was said, but I knew that the honesty thing was very important.
Interviewer: What should an applicant wear to the interview?
Costco Greeter: I went business casual, no tennis shoes, something a dark shoe with a nice rubber sole, khakis and business type shirt like a polo type shirt, that’s what I wore.
Interviewer: How were you notified that you received the job?
Costco Greeter: Once I got through the interview process, they offered me the job and they gave me a urine thing to take. So they offered me the job right then, they didn’t even call me. Right after my second interview they gave me the drug test paper and told me where to go, and that was it.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Costco Greeter: Looking to work there is a great environment, long as you punctual and you trustworthy you shouldn’t have any problem. Just going and being more of a people person because you’re going to interact with a lot of people, and don’t bring your home problems to work, so you shouldn’t have any problems.
Costco Deli Associate Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Costco Employee: I worked in the deli. I usually was the closer, so I would come in and just kind of clean up, make sure everything was put away and sanitized. I was also the chicken skewerer for the rotisserie chicken machine, so I probably skewered 150, 200 chickens a day. That was usually what I was doing.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Costco Employee: Clean. Super clean. Everyone followed all the rules and what not. I had to wear a beard net and hairnet all the time and a big, white lab coat. Very clean.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Costco Employee: There was good pay to start off, so that’s definitely a positive.
Interviewer: Did you earn any benefits or other job perks?
Costco Employee: Yeah, they had, like I said, good pay. They had insurance after six months. I got a membership there, which was cool. I ended up buying a lot of stuff in bulk.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Costco Employee: The application was online. You go on their website, and there was a list of jobs in your area. They matched up a store with where you’re at. Different entry-level positions. And then the interview – they called me in probably two or three weeks after I submitted it. There was a first interview, and he just asked me some questions about my previous job history. And then for the second interview I came in, more in-depth… they gave me a drug test and hired me.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Costco Employee: I remember him asking me about my previous job history, like I said, if I was a hard worker. He asked me, Why should I hire you? So it was important to be able to sell yourself.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Costco Employee: Definitely, go for it, because it’s a cool job. Just try to sell yourself to the guy interviewing you.
Related Links:Costco Application
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Costco Cashier
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