What Is It Like Working At Costco?: My Experience So Far

Watch Movies TV -

By Waiching Liu

I think what landed me the job at Costco Wholesale last year in September (yes, we have Costco in the UK) was during the first and second stages of the interview process, I mentioned that I was flexible and highly motivated and I am a very hands-on person. Since then, I've demonstrated on several occasions that I can not only do the job but to do it well, knowing what my responsibilities and duties are and to carry out my tasks with minimal supervision. Originally, I applied for a position as a merchandising/stock assistant; but the early mornings and not being able to keep track of a record of the details of the stock coming into the store took a toll on my performance. As part of the hiring process, all applicants must also take a mandatory drug test: some may find this unfair and unreasonable, but me personally, I think it the right step to take. 

So, a month later, I got transferred to the food court and to work as an assistant. It is considered by many as the worst job out of all the departments and positions in the store by many and during my time so far I have seen people come and go in the food court and either they transferred to other departments or towards other Costco stores. They initially offered the role to 2 other people: yet one person quit after one day and the other didn't show up, so when they offered the food court assistant job to me, I didn't hesitate in accepting it. 

As a food court assistant, I have to prepare and sell food products, clean and sanitise tables, the kitchen utensils, pots, work surfaces and areas and replenish the condiment sections, including the plastic cutlery and sauce dispensers, change the syrups for the soda machine, sweep the floor and empty the bins. In terms of the level of work I was doing, it is pretty much straightforward and thus, I didn't need to be reminded or told what to do all of the time, when I see something that doesn't look right and straight away I amend or fix that issue. It's the type of job I turned down when I was in my teens and I've never had any previous catering or food service experience, but undertaking it today, I realise now how much effort and hard work people who work in food retail put in. On weekends especially, it is an incredibly busy department and is non-stop until closing time.

The turnover rates are low and as a company, Costco rarely sack and make people redundant, unless you do something terrible like stealing, resort to physical or verbal abuse, vandalise property to name, but as workplaces go, if you are committed and do well in your role, Costco will keep you on; that, and as well as the pay and benefits and guaranteed job security means one is set for life. In December 2018, I passed my three-month probation period & I signed a permanent contract and all was well and I was happy. For a food court worker, given the amount of grief & crap we had to endure from members (i.e. leaving their rubbish and not clearing their tables, asking us to wipe the tables, making a mess of the area, lack of manners), the pay all makes up for it. I personally believe and this is my own personal opinion and one I've stated to my colleagues that us food court workers are one of the hardest working departments in the entire warehouse. 

Though it isn't as big and widely known as it is in its native U.S here in the UK, Costco is, much like its U.S counterpart, one of the best and fewest employees who offers good competitive pay, even for part-timers, which also increases, and the benefits are as good as full-timers, - and there is a reason why that is the case: they expect you to be fully committed, to work hard and as the workload is and can be excessive and taxing, and for you to put in a considerable amount of effort.

And if you don't do well, or struggle, you're out of here. 

It is pretty much a better-paid standard McDonalds/KFC fast food job and there isn't much difference in terms of the work in Costco as it is in those places. I spend the majority of my time cleaning the tables, clearing the bins, tidying the floor, but I do it speedily and as efficiently too. I also help out in the kitchen area too whenever possible, because I don't just want to be cleaning tables all of the time. Of course, one isn't going to be an overnight success  and there are still things I need to learn and barriers to overcome and I'm open to embracing new ideas and ways of doing things, but over time, once you settle into the role and understand the general routine and you keep doing it all the time, the easier it becomes. For example, I had a nightmare changing the sauce dispensers for say the first 6 months, but I got there in the end. & when I did, the feeling was one where I wanted to jump in the air. Yeah, it's silly, but to accomplish something on your 10th attempt or whatever, is just a great feeling.

Many of the co-workers at my Costco are great company to work and be around with and whilst one isn't destined to make friends, it's nice that I am able to get along with pretty much everyone & converse with them and to develop good working relationships with them. The dress code is very lax and there is no such thing as a company uniform policy but for name tag badges, & but for the supervisors who don red waistcoats. Whereas there are many who see employees dressed casually in their trainers/sneakers as a problem, I'm not fussed that I don't wear a proper uniform, but for when I work in the kitchen in the food court with a white coat, hairnet and gloves. 

Ideally, if you want to be respected more and you are prepared to work hard for your money, my advice would be to get a position outside of front end, such as bakery, cafe, deli, a stocker, then work your way up after a couple of years into a supervisory role. Unless you want to work elsewhere: I am not much of a till person and the idea of standing around, punching in numbers and scanning items on the cash register doesn't challenge me (oh and they don't have seats at the tills so the cashiers stand around, instead of sitting). I am what one might call a 'mover and shaker' and like to be able to move around freely and do a variety of tasks and be more physical and active and hands-on. It is said if you work in any food department, it is difficult to get out of them, but I've seen people come and go. There are and were times & occasions where I said to myself, ''I've had enough'' and ''I don't want to work here, anymore''. Yet the next day isn't as strenuous and hectic as it was before. It varies from day to day. Still, it is hard work and it is something I enjoy a good deal that not also helps to pay the bills but it is equally challenging, and I take the rough with the smooth. 

You have your bad days, but also good days and encounter the odd negative remarks, criticism from one or two supervisors & members that is, unfortunately, part and parcel of working in retail. And Costco, but for being a wholesale business, is no different to working elsewhere. Expect and anticipate the unexpected, and yet be prepared when things go awry or go wrong. If you have a bad day, move on and look forward to the next day. Just do your job well and you'll be rewarded for it. 

The hours can be long, but they do fly by if you are given so much to do and you do it, yet you don't think about the time. You also need to demonstrate your flexibility, so when you tell them at the interview you are flexible, it truly means you are flexible for Costco and to make it work around them and your supervisors, - as opposed to it being tailor around you. That is also why there is no such thing as a good life-work balance at Costco; the work at Costco is shift-based with 2 days off on a part-time basis, meaning you have little time for a family and social life and your weekly rotas change each week (with that no week is the same as the last) and hours can range from say, 4 hours minimum to 8.5 hours maximum a day. Though if you need more hours and want more money and the supervisor offers it to you, take it. 

It isn't perfect in all areas, but Costco is an ideal starting place for people to land their first job working in retail and so if you are thinking of doing work in this field, there are very few places where they could make it happen for you, but here - I wished it was around when I was 16- as all the positions require very little to no previous work experience and are entry-level based, which is perfect for teenagers and school-leavers. As entry-level jobs go, Costco is especially good. 

Just avoid causing rifts and conflicts with members and colleagues and try not to get involved in any personal drama, knuckle down and do well and you'll be fine. Believe me, nearly almost a year at Costco, there are pros and cons in every job, and with this company, it's been a huge eye-opener in more ways than one, and most of it has been worthwhile & rewarding. Come to think of it, I just don't see myself working anywhere else and looking for work elsewhere when in my forties, is just not an option. 

That, and I get to work with some amazing and great people. I am ever so grateful for them for giving me the opportunity to work for Costco and alongside my great co-workers, which is one of my favourite things about the job, besides the money and bonuses.