How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Costco?

Would you like to work for one of the largest retailers in the world?

If so, and if you’re wondering what jobs are available to you and ‘How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Costco?’ Well, it’s time to find out.

For an entry-level job at Costco, you need to be at least 18-years-old. Roles of an entry-level position in Costco include; cashier, membership assistant, and stocker.

how old do you have to be to work at costco

Contents

All About Costco

Costco is a multi-billion dollar wholesale corporation. Customers shopping at Costco can buy products in bulk; those who pay a membership fee can expect considerable discounts in store for purchasing large quantities of stock. Wonder why Costco is so successful? Well, here’s why…

Costco is unique as it does not make much money off products, and they have zero advertisements. You might be thinking, wait, what? How is it possible? Well… Costco makes money from its membership fees. A unique business model to undersell the competition and make sure of customer loyalty.

Jobs For Teens At Costco

Cashier

A cashier works at the till and handles transactions. A cashier is responsible for keeping things organized and completing transactions quickly. Customer service skills are essential, and cashiers must be friendly and knowledgeable of payment methods and stock. Cashiers also have to keep their area clean and help with restocking the shop floor when necessary.

Cashier Assistant

A cashier assistant helps the cashier transfer goods to separate carts. Restocking items and performing item runs if requested. A cashier assistant should have knowledge of the store, know where things are, and strive for customer excellence.

how old do you have to work at costco

Stocker

Stocking shelves is, of course, an essential part of any retail business. A stocker will be responsible for checking dates on items and moving them to the front of shelves. Organizing and straightening stock on shelves. Take the initiative if something is low in stock, and refill the items. They are also responsible for keeping the aisles clear and clean.

Food Service Assistant

In most Costco’s, food is available to staff and the public. A food service assistant is responsible for preparing food and drinks, stocking up, checking supply levels, keeping the area clean and tidy, and delivering excellent customer service.

Membership Assistant

Like mentioned before, memberships are the reason Costco is so successful. You will have to be knowledgeable about the membership process, sign up new members, and deal with card renewals, temporary cards, and replacement cards in this position.

You should be able to tell members about further discounts and upcoming promotions. Excellent customer service is essential in this role; you should be friendly and polite at all times.

Can 16-year-olds Work At Costco?

Unfortunately not… However, if you are looking to work in food retail, other reputable companies hire 16-year-olds. These include Harvey’s, Kroger, Publix, and Safeway. Gaining experience here would put you in a great position to apply at Costco when you reach the age requirement!

How Much Does Costco Pay Employees?

Depending on the state and area you live in, wages can differ. For example, San Francisco, California, will pay a cashier $17 per hour; Wyoming will pay $15 per hour. Another benefit in contrast to other retailers, Costco pays for your breaks. During an eight-hour shift, staff members receive two 15 minute breaks and a 30-minute break.

Costco raised its minimum hourly pay to $15 per hour in 2019. The best part? In 2018 Costco was rated the best company for benefits and compensation. They are known to pay employees a living wage and are one of the leading companies that pay higher than the minimum wage!

So depending on the role you apply for, you can be sure your minimum payment will be $15 per hour. If you do land an interview, do not be afraid to ask the interviewer how much the hourly rate is in that store!

how old do you have to work at the costco

Do You Need Experience To Work At Costco?

Costco is an amiable entry-level company! Of course, experience is a bonus, but Costco will not discriminate. If you perform well in your interview and have an impressive application, you may receive the job with no experience. However, having past experience in a retail or wholesale environment could mean you reach supervisor or management roles quicker.

What should you wear to an interview?

Dressing for an interview should not be the main focus of your interview prep, but it is still an important one. Make sure you look presentable with a clean shirt, black trousers or a skirt and dress shoes.

What Questions Will They Ask In An Interview?

Depending on your interviewer, this can vary. However, these are the fundamental questions asked in any retail environment.

Do you work well with people?

Of course, the answer they want is yes. Teamwork is an essential part of any business, especially in a store like Costco, which is so vast with many roles you will have to rely on other people to help.

Response:

Give some examples of working well in a team; if you have no previous work experience, refer back to school and group projects.

how old do you have to work costco

Why do you want to work here?

Make sure to have researched some critical points about Costco. As mentioned above, you could discuss that they have significant benefits for staff and outstanding employee satisfaction rates, and that’s something you appreciate.

Response:

Have some knowledge ready about the company. It is best to be honest if this is a part-time job. Explain that you would like to make extra money while still at school, and explain why Costco would be a great place to work and do that. If you want to progress your career within Costco, tell your interviewer – they love the fact that they could be employing a long-term committed member of staff.

Why should we hire you?

This question may make you feel uncomfortable if you are not confident, but do not be alarmed. Sell yourself, think about three of your best qualities, for example, kindness, patience, or customer service skills. Tell them to your interviewer.

Response:

Talk about previous experience and how you can guarantee customer satisfaction. Discuss what makes you stand out. List the qualities that make you think you are right for this position, and you’ll be essential to the Costco team.

Benefits Of Working At Costco

Costco prides itself on employee satisfaction. Benefits you can expect include solid health, dental and vision insurance. These begin after the 90-day probationary period. They also offer a pension plan.

How To Apply?

Getting a job at Costco is not always easy. It is a desired place to work in retail. So, therefore, it has competition. You can apply through the Costco wholesale website, or you can use well-known job sites like indeed.

Looking For Advice On Resume Writing?

So, you’re entering the workforce and never created a resume before… No problem!

Let’s begin with my resume guides on How To List Education On A Resume, Achievements To List On Your Resume, the Most Important Skills To Put On A Resume, or how about my Motivation Letter Writing Guide, How To Write A Letter of Interest, and Hobbies Interests To Put On Resume, as well as my Job Titles On Resume, How To List References On A Resume, and How To Address A Cover Letter in 2023.

Timing is also everything, so check out my Best Times Of Year To Apply For Jobs to get it right the first time.

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We also recommend reading up on the Resume Format Guide, the English for Academic CVs, Resumes, and Online Profiles, Resume Writing: 10 Ridiculously Simple Tips, and of course Marketing Yourself in the Age of Digital: CVs, Applications, Interviews, Social Media, LinkedIn all available online today.

Using your online profile as a platform for job hunting makes things so much easier today. Let’s take a look at the Best Linkedin Profile Tips or Best Linkedin Recommendation Examples guides on our website to get you started.

Lastly, why not try the LinkedIn Riches: How To Use LinkedIn For Business, Sales and Marketing!, and Ignite Your LinkedIn Profile, or the infamous LinkedIn For Dummies, and LinkedIn Profile Optimization For Dummies, and of course How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn Profile… And 18 Mistakes to Avoid which is quite an essential read I think.

Final Thoughts

Costco could be a fantastic company to start off your career. It can be appealing to younger teens excited to begin their working life and gain invaluable experience in a retail role. Unfortunately, you do have to wait until the age requirement.

However, as mentioned above, once you start work, the wage and benefits are excellent! It is no wonder why a job at Costco is in such high demand. So, remember to dress neatly and be polite and friendly in your interview.

Also, don’t forget to show a genuine long-term interest in working at Costco and practice your interview questions beforehand.

All the very best with getting a job at Costco!

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