I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Costco Wholesale (West Valley City, UT) in May 2013
Interview
1. Started on a Monday and called the closest Costco's in my area to see if they're hiring, and only 1 was.
2. Submitted my application (took 10 minutes) and called right after to let them know I applied and the lady wrote my name down to give to her boss.
3. Her boss (manager) called back that night and left a message to schedule an interview.
4. Scheduled an interview the next two days. (Scheduled an interview on Wednesday)
5. Interview by two people (Front End Manager, I think and his Asst. Manager? she didn't really introduce herself). One ask questions and they other wrote down stuff? I got interviewed in the backroom where the Pharmacy was?
6. About 8 - 10 questions, the one you see on here.
7. After interview he stated he'll call me and let me know the status by the following week.
8. Actually got a called that Friday from him to let me know to come in for a 2nd interview the following week.
9. Got the 2nd interview w/General Manager. He ask me 2-3 questions. Why Costco? 3 Greatest Strengths? 3 Weakest Strengths?
10. Then I guess he liked me and took me to the other room to get a Swap Mouth test w/one of the payroll asst. Passed and from there they told me once Background results come back then I can start orientation.
Easy questions. Most of the questions are stated from previous comments on here. Just be YOURSELF. BE HONEST. Practice at home. Don't too much and talk a lot? W/the final interview with the General Manager, I guess you can feel if he likes you or not? Just relax and smile :) Good luck everyone.
I applied online. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Costco Wholesale
Interview
Before finally getting an interview at Costco I had been applying online on and off for two years with no response even with following up. I applied one day, called two days later to follow up and actually got a person involved in the hiring process (my Costco would never let me speak to anyone, they'd just say someone would call me if there was interest in my application.)
It seems Costco has a very slow hiring process because I didn't hear back for weeks and I thought they'd moved on but I got a phone call to come in for an interview. The position was for Limited Part Time, no other details were given.
I came in for my interview, it was a very relaxed environment and two managers greeted me and brought me into a back room where we sat down to speak. Waiting for the second manager to come back after getting called away, the first manager asked if I had a full time job. I said yes and she replied with "Well Costco doesn't like to be second to anyone." I thought that was incredibly elitist of the manager to say because the position was for Limited Part Time, the most bottom tier position in the warehouse - it's not permanent and you are guaranteed nothing.
The interview questions were all situational and focused on what you've come across in your working career and how you've treated customers in certain scenarios - everything was past tense.
During the interview, they again expressed concern about my full time job. The hours they were looking for were evening and weekend which I could work because my full time job wouldn't interfere which I told them again. They also asked if I was planning on taking any vacation in the summer. I was not.
They asked if I had any questions and I inquired about the dress code (no T-shirts). We even made small talk which made me think they really liked me. It felt like a good interview.
Before leaving they assured me they would let me know about the position either way: If I was hired I'd get a phone call and would be drug tested on-site and would go through orientation, if I was not chosen I would get a rejection email. About three days after my interview I received the rejection email.
Costco, to me, was a dream employer to work for, however after this interview I think they need a reality check. They were hiring for Limited Part Time which is the lowest employee at the warehouse yet they expected the commitment of a full-time worker? I understand that you need some people for your busy season but for a position that is not permanent, has no benefits and limited hours you need to humble yourself and realize people can't survive in life on Limited Part Time and will have to have other ways of supporting themselves.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
An odd question I wasn't expecting was: "How do you communicate with people?"