How to Get a Job at Costco? Job Application, Interview & More

If you're wondering how to get a job at Costco, there’s something you need to be clear about: Costco careers don’t come easy.

The company is so successful at keeping its employees happy that very few of those who get hired at Costco want to leave. There just aren’t that many positions open.

With that said, Costco is constantly growing, and with over 810 warehouses worldwide, there are bound to be openings for outstanding individuals.

In this short guide, we'll take you through the Costco application process and provide you with tips and examples to help you create a great resume and cover letter, plus advice to ace your Costco job interview.

How to apply for a job at Costco

Costco, like many other successful brick-and-mortar companies such as Walmart, Target and even Starbucks, has gone digital. That means if you want to work for Costco, you fill out a Costco online application.

This can be unfortunate for some, as there are some people who shine in face-to-face interactions and an online application process can hamper their ability.

However, know that even though it's hard to get a job at Costco, there are a few things you can do if you want to up your chances.

We'll go over them in the chapters below, but first, let's continue with the Costco job application process.

These are the steps you need to take when applying for a job at Costco:

1. Meet Costco’s age requirement (18+).
2. Go to the Costco Career Page.
3. Click "Apply Now" beneath Costco Careers.
4. Enter the state, city, and ZIP code, then apply to the store where you want to work.
5. Create a profile. You'll need a valid email (make sure it's professional) and your legal first and last name.
6. Select the job you will be applying for, choose Costco part-time jobs or a full-time position.
7. Fill out the application. Include all work experience, references and other pertinent information.

How to make your Costco online application stand out

As we mentioned earlier, Costco treats its employees very well. Their pay when compared to similar retail positions is above average, the benefits are good, they take pride in physical security for both employees and customers, and morale runs high.

Job seekers know this and apply in huge numbers. This in turn means competition can be a bit of a problem for those looking to find a job at Costco.

If you want to land a job at Costco, you're going to have to stand above the rest from the beginning of the hiring process. Here are a few tips to help your Costco application get noticed.

Costco employees on Reddit gave the following advice:

1. Full availability. The ability to work any hours, including holidays and weekends is greatly treasured by Costco and can be the difference between getting hired or not.
2. Be open to any department. Most new hires start as front-end assistants, cart crew, or stockers, make it known you're ok with that. You can always move up the Costco career ladder at a later time as Costco likes to promote from within.
3. List a reference from a current Costco employee. This one might not be easy for everyone, but if you know someone that works at Costco, ask if you can include them in your references.

A Costco manager on Quora also says:

The statement by the hiring manager above is not unique, everywhere you read you find Costco managers stating something similar. Costco managers consistently appreciate applicants who go above and beyond by reaching out in person.

Since they're likely to get hundreds of applications for each person they hire, you have to go the extra mile to stand out.

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Costco job positions

Apart from the common cashier position, Costco has dozens of job positions to choose from. It's a multinational company after all, so it's of no surprise that you can find many job opportunities within the company. You can find many job opportunities within the company, ranging from finance to marketing and even pharmacy.

With that said, some positions are more popular than others. These are five of the most popular and in-demand jobs at Costco:

Costco membership assistant (job description)

With over 105 million members, Costco's primary money maker is its membership program. And as a Costco Membership assistant you'll have the very important task of processing new member sign ups, renewals and added cards. You'll also be instructing the members and potential members about the perks that come with the membership, such as credit programs.

Other tasks include:

• Providing excellent customer service 
• Assisting at refund counter
• Helping with marketing as necessary

Costco cashier (job description)

A Costco cashier is expected to perform various job duties ranging from scanning items, to ringing up a cash register. However, Costco cashiers should also have strong communication skills, a good grasp of basic arithmetic and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Other job duties include:

• Clean up activities
• Setting-up the department
• Performing closing tasks

Costco stocker (job description)

Costco sells a lot and needs to constantly restock its supplies. As a Costco stocker you'll be in charge of organizing and tidying up the merchandise throughout the store and warehouse. You'll also be expected to clear and clean the aisle and assist members.

Other job duties include:

• Stocking opened cases on shelves
• Assembling and setting up display models
• Communicating with managers on merchandising plans

Costco food service assistant (job description)

I don't know about you, but I always get really hungry after a day of shopping. As a Costco food service assistant you'll be in charge of preparing and selling food and drinks to customers. You'll also be cleaning the kitchen and eating area, all while providing high quality customer service to members. Other tasks include:

• Ringing up sales, collecting money and making change
• Pulling ingredients and other supplies from warehouse
• Cleaning and sanitizing food machines

Costco service deli clerk (job description)

As a service deli clerk, you'll be in charge of preparing, packaging and labeling a variety of dishes ranging from: salads, sliced meats, cheeses, sushi and of course the famous Costco rotisserie chicken. Other tasks include:

• Assembling ingredient boxes
• Figuring out production needs
• Filling out time and temperature record forms

How to prepare for a job interview at Costco

Preparing for a job interview at Costco should be similar to any other job. However, apart from the basics such as going over a job interview guide, we have a few tips that can help you ace your Costco job interview.

Go over the job listing

Going over the job listing is recommended regardless of what position or company you're applying for.

By reviewing the details of the job description, you can answer interview questions more thoroughly and align your responses with what the hiring manager is looking for.

Doing this can impress a Costco hiring manager greatly, distinguishing you from the competition.

Bring a copy of your resume

Having a copy of your resume at arm's length can be a lifesaver when a recruiter throws you a hard interview question.

Many times a recruiter will have a copy of your resume and will be using it as a reference on what questions to ask you.

By having your resume with you, it allows you to remove some of the stress that comes from trying to remember details such as dates and other bits of information pertaining to your previous jobs.

This frees up your mind, eliminates stress, and allows you to respond to questions with more confidence.

Dress accordingly (business casual)

You might be saying, "It's just a retail job, no need to take a suit."

And you're right. Unless you're applying for a Costco managerial position, wearing a suit might actually work against you. The Costco environment is casual and what you wear for a Costco job interview should reflect that.

For example, you could wear:

• Top: Solid button down shirt or conservative top; blue, grey, black or white.
• Bottom: Dress slacks, presentable skirt, or dark jeans.
• Shoes: Brown or black dress shoes.

No need to overthink it, take a shower before the interview, groom yourself, and let your confidence do the rest.

Review common interview questions

There are countless job interview questions a hiring manager could ask during a Costco job interview. That makes it a bit difficult to prepare accordingly.

However, there are some interview questions that come up more often and preparing for them might help you formulate a job landing response.

• What hours can you work? When responding to such a question, remember that the more flexible you are the better chances you have of getting hired. If possible, remind the interviewer that you're able to work on weekends and holidays.
• If you're having a slow day at work, what do you do? Such days will not be the norm at Costco, however they do happen from time to time. When responding to such a question, it's good to remind them that you're someone who is self-motivated and is able to remain productive regardless of the situation.
• Have you ever had to deal with a difficult customer? When answering such a complex question, it's important that you keep your thoughts organized and answer it in a way that highlights your problem-solving capabilities and interpersonal skills.

In general, most questions asked at a Costco job interview will be situational, and preparing for such questions might be the best route for you to take.

Other job interview questions a Costco hiring manager might ask

• Could you tell me about a time you reached a big goal?

• How would you define "a sense of urgency?"

• What would be your approach to a colleague doing something incorrectly?

• How would you handle it if you saw a coworker stealing something?

• If a customer became hostile, how would you handle the situation?

• Can you describe a time when you had to collaborate in a team?

• When given multiple high-priority tasks, how do you decide where to start?

• If given a task and you don't know how to proceed, what do you do?

Interviews go a lot smoother when you know what’s coming. Use Kickresume’s AI Interview Questions Generator to practice real interview questions and walk in with confidence.

Costco resume and cover letter tips

Getting hired at Costco starts with a great application. That means writing a good resume and cover letter that show you understand what the company values and what the job requires.

Here’s how to create one that stands out and gets noticed by recruiters.

1. Tailor your resume to the Costco job description

The secret to writing a great resume or cover letter is simple: tailor it to the job description.

There’s no way around it. To make your resume stand out, you should use the right keywords and skills in both your resume and cover letter.

How to tailor your Costco resume:

1. Read the job description carefully. Highlight repeated phrases, skills, and requirements.
2. Match those keywords naturally throughout your resume. Place them into your resume summary, work experience, and skills section.
3. Focus on qualities Costco values most, such as customer service, teamwork, communication, and time management.
4. Use concrete examples to prove each skill:
• “Assisted 200+ members per shift with purchases and inquiries.”
• “Collaborated with 10 team members to restock inventory before opening.”
• “Handled checkout for 80+ customers per hour with accuracy and efficiency.

If you want to save time, use Kickresume’s Resume Tailoring feature. It automatically scans any job description, identifies the keywords you need, and helps you adjust your resume to match both the position and your strengths.

For more information on resumes, check out this comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.

2. Highlight the qualities Costco looks for

Costco employees are known for being friendly, reliable, and efficient. Recruiters will look for signs of those traits in your application.

• Interpersonal communication. Costco takes customer service seriously. Use examples that show you can stay polite under pressure and make every member feel valued.
• Teamwork. Costco’s operations rely on strong collaboration. Show that you can support your coworkers and keep things running smoothly.
• Time management. Stores are high-volume and fast-paced. Recruiters want to see that you can multitask and meet goals efficiently.

3. Choose the right resume template for your role

Once you know what Costco values, choose a resume template that highlights the right strengths for your target position.

Are you applying as a Costco cashier? Then your resume should highlight your interpersonal skills, as well as ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Such as this cashier clerk resume example.

If applying as a Costco assistant manager or store manager, your resume should highlight your ability to lead a team and your time management skills. Similar to this retail store manager's resume sample.

For more information on resumes, check out this comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.

4. Write a cover letter that connects the dots

Your cover letter is your chance to show personality and motivation; it's not about just repeating your resume.

Always reference the job listing. Then try to answer the following questions:

• Who are you?
• Why are you submitting this application?
• Why do you want the job and are you already familiar with it?
• What are your previous experiences that align with this job?
• Why should we consider you?

Just make sure you keep it concise and to the point.

At the end, it should look a lot like this cashier cover letter example.

Costco resume example

Here’s an example of a resume that successfully landed a position at Costco. 

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Hired by Costco

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How much does Costco pay? (Costco salaries)

The wages of Costco employees vary depending on the position and time worked in the company.

Although the average starting pay as of now is $19.74 per hour, you receive raises when you meet certain milestones, such as working a certain amount of hours.

That said, common roles such as cashier clerks and assistants usually top out at around $25 per hour.

Other positions, such as forklift operators, assistant managers and store managers tend to have a higher average pay, ranging from $20 to $33 per hour and top at a higher cap.

What is it like to work at Costco?

So what's the final verdict? What is it truly like to work at Costco and does the hype meet the expectations?

In short — yes.

Everywhere you look, you find employees praising their work experiences at Costco. And I mean everyone - from an assistant cashier clerk, to a shift supervisor and store manager, to a Costco truck driver and a forklift operator.

But I think the best way to show you this enthusiasm is by quoting a real Costco employee and his 12 year journey at the successful company:

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