Types of Jobs
Like all big chain stores, there are always a large number of job openings at the Home Depot. They have cashiers, sales associates, customer service specialists, department supervisors, and store managers. Sales associates will find themselves in a certain department within the store, and having a previously defined area of expertise is helpful.
Outside of the store, there are many other job opportunities. There are truck drivers, supply chain representatives, warehouse associates, home services specialists, installation representatives, and contact center reps. There are also corporate positions available. These include advertising, marketing, legal, supply chain, and manufacturing positions. Most of the corporate positions do require a collegiate degree, depending upon what the position is and the pay that you are requesting. It is also highly recommended that corporate applicants have a strong background within the company, or some sort of equivalent level of experience.
Why Home Depot?
The Home Depot has a large number of employees, and many of them find that their jobs here quickly become careers. There is a lot of upward mobility in this company, and those that start out on the floor as associates or behind cash registers will quickly gain the tools and the knowledge that they need to advance up into the ranks of management over time.
Through their charity, the Home Depot Foundation, this store has donated over $250 million to different causes, and they routinely donate tools and hardware to organizations dedicated to building and home improvement. This is a great cause to be a part of, and being a part of a bigger purpose is always a welcome thing for employees to take part in. Showing interest in philanthropy is also a good way to show your employer that you are dedicated and caring.
Home Depot does have employee benefits. These include 401(k) investing, employee stock purchases, health, vision, dental, and life insurance policies, store purchase discounts, tuition assistance, and relocation assistance, if you qualify for it.
Who Can Apply?
Home Depot will hire employees aged 18 or older. They prefer that their hires have high school diplomas or a GED, but this may vary from location to location.
Cashiers should expect to start out making around $8 or $9 per hour while sales associates can expect to start out making $10 to $11 per hour. This difference in pay is because of the extra level of knowledge that is needed to be out on the floor helping customers find their items and answering questions knowledgeably. Supervisors should expect $15 to $16 per hour, based upon experience and expertise. If you are looking for a management position, these typically are around $50,000 per year, but if you have been with the store for quite some time, you may find that you are getting more than this. The location of your store can also influence how much you are getting paid, too. Corporate positions can pay much more than this, depending upon the role that you land within the company.
To be a successful Home Depot employee, you need to have a firm understanding of home improvement. There are many different departments in each store, and thorough knowledge in your department is a good way to move up the ranks within the company. Other traits that lead to success include having a customer centric focus, listening to and following directions, being a good communicator and effectively answering customer questions, as well as having a positive and friendly personality. This is a great job for those that are interested in fixing things and building things, and if you can combine that with an attitude that puts the customer first, you can find a great deal of success with this company.
What’s Expected?
To be hired at Home Depot, there are several things that hiring managers look for. They want you to be enthusiastic about home repairs and improvements. The bottom line is, the management team at Home Depot expects you to want to learn more about your area of focus and convey that knowledge when needed in order to help customers find exactly what they are looking for, even if they are unsure of every item that they need. This is a good way to build a customer base, and show your boss that you are the right person for the job.
Tips for Gaining Employment
You can apply for a position at Home Depot online through their website. They have a secure form that you can fill out, and if you do not finish it in one sitting, you do have the ability to save your work and come back to it later. You should expect to spend about an hour on the application, but it is smart to spend more time if needed just to ensure that it’s complete and accurate. Just go to their website and click Careers at the bottom of the page. The rest is pretty easy to follow.
Following up after you apply is helpful. It shows that you are actually interested in the position and that you are able to take initiative. When you go in, ask to speak to the manager in charge of hiring. Be courteous and professional. This can often be an important part of the hiring process and may lead to a more immediate interview. It can sometimes be helpful to carry in a paper copy of your resume, even though you have already submitted this electronically. It helps the manager to put a face and personality to the name that shows up on their computer. Be yourself, but be polite and professional at the same time.
If you have experience in home improvement or retail, be sure to include this on your application and your resume. Be specific, as necessary.
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