That's why I love opening the chicken room. It's time for lunch by the time we start opening, then when I come back, a new person goes out to rotisserie and I go into production. It's a great day
Love your videos! Pushed carts from Dec 2022 to September 2023. Been in Meat since. It doesn't really matter what department you're in, it's busy even when it's slow, but working for Costco has been life changing, I love it. Optical sounds like a great job! Meat can be overwhelming some days, but we also have music like the deli does, and we're all metal-heads and my manager claims he's building an army of "misfits". There are definitely days I wish I was pushing carts and not throwing boxes to go to "chicken land", those things are 76lbs each, but doing a ground beef grind and getting that perfect wave when you pump it out of the grinder feels so satisfying! Costco is the best job I've ever had, I plan on retiring from here.
I've heard really good things about the meat department! The only time I worked there was to help clean up at the end of the night. So I'm not too familiar. I know it has a very low turnover though, so that must mean it's a great job
@@CostcoDude when we finished carts, we got sent to assist other departments; I liked trash duty for a while but eventually branched into stocking, go-backs, and my past experience in retail makes me quick on front-end (my mistake) We had a gas leak once and evacuated the building, made eye contact with a manager and got sent to front end asst to clear the building. Costco is never short on surprises, and I'm not complaining
Thanks to your kindness to customers. The employees in the Costco optical dept have been kind and patient with my adult son who is on the autism spectrum. I go there because there isn't the silly sales push like at the national chains.
I work at one of the more busiest Costco in the Midwest where weekend door counts are over 300 per 30 minutes for 3 or more hours in a row. I work in the maintenance department and have done so for the past 20 years and I love because it's the only department where you have freedom to move around throughout the entire warehouse and get to interact with all employees. I still find it amazing that there is a garbage can in every shopping aisle, but the members still throw stuff on the floor😂
I've contemplated making a video about this, but I am afraid it'll come off as just a huge complaint rather than informative :) but maybe I can find a way to make it tasteful, haha! Also that's a long while at Costco. I have heard Maintenance can be super nice, though it wasn't for me
Currently doing SIT training. Supposedly for deli but they’ve had me in front end and plan to keep me there 🥲 I have been waiting so long to go to optical. But have been in deli for almost a decade. Surprising to find a Costco based channel from an actual worker. It’s the RU-vid rabbit hole I guess haha.
did SIT and just starting my interim supervisor for bakery tomorrow, best of luck on your career fellow colleague 😎😎 remember the job is mostly easy, but with any job, the hard part is the people
@@laser_turret nice, I have my interview for the front end sup this week. Was hoping for deli since that’s all I know but at this point I’m going to just do whatever to move into manager readiness. Best of luck to you as well!
@@alohajoe5848 I know absolutely nothing about bakery/fresh - since i was purely Merch PM for 7 years. The more departments you learn the more opportunity you can show experience with. Thank you
I love your videos and what you have been doing. I also a costco employee in Canada and watching your videos help me to know more about the company as well.
Im really glad i came across your videos. The company i work for is unfortunately closing down and its stressful to think about other jobs and not veing around my old co-workers. I will consider Costco ✨
I'm sorry to hear about your job ending. If you try for Costco, spring time is a good time to apply! Do it online and go talk to a manager:) Good luck!
I worked in the deli at Costco in Gilroy, CA, and they didn't let us try food very often. I only worked there for 3 months, but I think I got to get a bite of the rotisserie chicken once in my short time there, probably varies on your location. I did like that I was constantly moving around all the time, but just like he said your wrists definitely suffer, more with the rotisserie chicken more than anything.
Did you simply apply online and that's it? Or maybe went in person to drop off a resume? I've applied 3 times already and haven't heard back. I feel like it's the lack of previous work experience for me since I've only worked at a liquor store for a couple of years.
The one thing that I love about Costco. Is the return policy. The new roast beef sandwich on the menu is pretty good and the food Court. The customer service is very good at Costco.
I’m helping out in deli for the week (I’m a front end assistant). I didn’t talk to a single member I’m 8.5 hours today. It was glorious. Freezing, but glorious.
The best place to work without joining the gym, is merchandising because i was able to walk 14000 steps (8 hrs shift) and lift heavy items. But DO NOT work at the eatable section like cookie, nuts, chips, etc because you will be stuck at 1-2 aisles and less walking. Work at the non-eatable items area like in motor oils, appliances, pillows, etc... and you'll be walking 3=5 aisles.
@@jeovanniperez3949 The heaviest are the motor oil and water. as in term of weight...beats me. But you still can drag with a pallet jack and plug it in. You don't actually pull pallets 8 hours straight. Most of the time, it's just zoning it and stacking up the merchandises.
@@maktheturd6220 how much is it full time ? Cus I was thinking of applying to a Costco where I’m at which is a CA location is it basically same as stocker
@jeovanniperez3949 in the Bay Area it starts at 19.50 and other areas 18.50. You get raises every 1040 hours, time and a half on Sundays, and very good health insurance for only $40/mo. They won't hire anyone full time but you can pick up hours in most stores, and you can usually advance quickly in merch
i've interviewed to crosstrain in the optical and hearing aid depts because of the better pay and getting away from the front end. i didn't get those jobs mostly because i was still a new employee. like most positions at costco, they often hire based on seniority. based on what i've seen the employees in optical are happy folk and many have been at it for years.
The better pay only comes when you're licensed. The people who cross train and the non-licensed staff only get the assistant rate in optical and clerk pay in hearing.
@@drewg7036 i thought it was a dollar more like the cashiers but i had the mindset that the cross-training position woulld lead up the chain in optical where they make more than supervisors.
The location i work at makes working in deli and bakery literally the worst jobs in the building. I’m specifically referring to the closers. Which is what I do now
Yeah "slower" locations or those with a cheap GM only have one closer who cleans deli room and chicken room. It's fucking brutal. Luckily I've only had to do that a couple of times
I am a newer employee. i don't understand ALL the positions available to me---and shifts always say varies. i wish corporate would do quick videos describing all the jobs in WH and Corporate giving the lowdown on jobs. would love to know how to move into hearing aid or optical, and how it works to get the credentials needed. you mentioned the rtv clerk, i wanted to cross-train in rtv, but someone mentioned it was an early AM shift---so i passed, but maybe i should not have. what exactly does an inventory auditor do?
This is a good idea for videos to describe what we do In each position. The rtv clerk is always early morning and you're in charge of sending stuff back to vendors/or if it gets destroyed.. it's a pretty sweet position because you don't really interact with members and you're always off early. If that's what you like. If you don't like waking up early and you enjoy interacting with members then it might not be the right position for you
@@CostcoDude A friend of mine is cross-training in the Vault--and she was saying on paper from the posting---it is different than what it is. So, it would be nice to learn about the positions, esp the ones no one sees on the regular or knows much about.
@@mariaboek i think that is why they cross-train. to see if you enjoy it and if it's a good fit, eventually move into that position on a regular basis when there is an opening. i'll be cross-training in the vault soon.
@@daveheel i wouldn't mind cross-training, but it would be nice to know upfront about the job---to have a better understanding of the position. just like this video. and honestly, the pattern i see is that once you cross-train in a dept, you are thrown into that dept when ppl call off...etc. always see that in deli, food court and bakery. most of those ppl i know that get thrown into those jobs, don't like the dept, but don't have a choice--as the needs of the business dictate they need to go. my friend cross-trained in the vault and now fills in when the vault person (who will never quit) calls off---or goes on vacation. just my 2 cents.
@@mariaboekeloo1218 yes, i heard something to the same effect. For me, I doubt I want to do it permanently especially since they don't get off until 11pm. I can use the experience to add to my resume when I leave Costco. I'm currently working the door and it might be good to have a change once in a while.
Craziest probably s dead Christmas tree in January, and I've also returned a really old couch that was extremely worn out. The one that made me mad was a food return of fresh veggies and chicken worth over $100 (we unfortunately have to throw away any perishable foods)
Got hired, ive met a couple people qho said it was grueling work. Im older, im in pretty good shape as i work out daily. What does it require to work in audiology?
Congratulations on getting hired! Costco for sure can be hard work but there are easy days too. I'm assuming you're referring to the hearing aid department? If yes I've heard it's pretty hard to get in, but as far as I know there are no requirements to get started but if you wanna escalate in pay you'll need to get licensed.
I’m 19 years old and I’m pretty interested in optical but I don’t know where to start! My costco is looking for an optometrist assistant/receptionist. I have 0 job experience. I wanna help people especially since I know their struggle with needing glasses. I’m more interested in fixing the glasses other than having to fill in their prescription, handling money, and answering calls. Would I need to go to school for this? I also asked a different office and they said you can take lessons online…Basically all I’m asking is what the requirements for working there
So a couple things to unpack here. Costco Optical has two sections; The Optical, which is a Costco department, and you need to be a Costco employee, and then there's the Optometrist office, which is where an INDEPENDENT Dr works, and him/her and his/her staff are NOT Costco employees. So if it's the Optometrist looking for an assistant, you'll have to talk to him directly, and your job would be receptionist or specialist (depending on what the Dr needs), Now, if it's the Optical department, you need to be a Costco Employee, and you would be in charge of sales, repairs, calls, and basically anything besides the actual Dr's appointment. It's very rare to be hired straight into an optical department. You usually need to be an employee first and make your way into the department. To be in Optical you will require certifications. You get these by studying and taking exams (they are pretty hard). In the optometrist's office, you may need the same, or more certification, to be a specialist, but if you're just a receptionist you may not need it, but this will depend on the Dr. I know this was a lot of info, but I hope it helps clear out some of your questions.
I've heard mixed feelings about being in pharmacy, some love it and some are sick of it. Though most do seem to like it if you're good with individual problem solving with members. If you don't like possible direct conflict it may not be the right position for you.
I would love to! I need to make a video about this! Exams are pretty hard but there's plenty material to study from on RU-vid (Laramy K) and Costco has a ton of material too that you can get from the managers and Costco U. What specific questions do you have? Lol there's so much!
There's a whiteboard at my Costco that shows how fast the cashiers scan the items at checkout. That was disappointing - how much pressure do they have? I work in a production environment myself but I don't deal with customers. I would hate to be measured like that. Do they expect them to be superfast like at Aldi?
we have the same whiteboard. i've never been a cashier but i am in member services and when they miss scanning items (may be because they were going too fast) they get a talking.
Cashiers can be taken off the register if they're constantly making errors and missing items or improperly ringing items. If they're just constantly going super slow, they may get a talking to and some additional coaching by the front end manager, but I've never seen anyone fired or even moved off register for going too slowly. Although, I will say, most cashiers mean business and are basically hurling items at the assistant to pack.
@@drewg7036 at our store, they seem to have a minimum pricing error at once for serious consequences. i've seen multiple mistakes made by the same cashiers almost daily and they are still on the registers.
I have a question about how you started in the optical department! In many states it’s not required to be a licensed optician to work. Did you start out as an un-licensed optician and then take your ABO and NCLE certification exams while working there? Or did you become certified before you even transitioned to optical? Thanks in advance!
I did start as unlicensed. I first trained in the department for 2 months. After that I had to wait for a position to open up and apply for it. Once I got in, I was able to work in the department for one year. Costco requires you to be licensed to stay in the department, so I had to pass the ABO before the year was up. With the ABO, it extends my stay for another year and then I had to pass the NCLE to stay in the department. If we don't pass we get kicked out until we pass the test. And once we're in we need to renew every 3 years to be able to stay in the department. Even if the state doesn't require it, I believe Costco will anyway. I'd ask the manager to make sure though.
At my store the first employees usually come in at 4 am, but sometimes they'll have a forklift driver come in as early as 2. The last employees generally leave at 11 PM
Costco does the basic training in the department. But to stay in the department I had to pass the tests on my own and studying for the tests was on my own time as well. But also that's for opticians. The optometrist is the Dr. and they go to school for that.
Most departments at Costco are entry level. The most common one would be Front-End assistant. They go from helping the cashier, to pushing carts, to going to any department that needs help. Other entry jobs are Food Court, Bakery, Night and Morning Merch, Clothing (all you do is fold clothes, good shoulder workout) and sometimes Majors Sales, Deli, Meat, Tire Shop if you have experience/Knowledge with technology.
Feel like it really depends who and where. In my experience there is no direction at Costco when it comes to supervisors and managers. Everyone is doing things their own way and the fact there is no cohesive and friendly direction means personality conflicts. And because of that leads to some being way to micromanaging and others being pretty chill. People with seniority there are either nice to you. Or straight up assholes. Costco honestly needs to have better organizational skills with new hires because my word no wonder their turnover rate is so high. Keep in mind they run this place like a restaurant. It isn’t retail imo. It’s a restaurant and the way management/supervisors handle things is shitty. Don’t get me wrong, there are good people there but it’s major red flags when you have employees who have been there 5+ years stressing their issues with Costco and sups your first week there….unfortunate.
you can shop after we close. a free executive membership and 2%back. you can also add someone to your membership and give membership to your friend. good health insurance and vacation time. free turkey on thanksgiving. lol if you stay at costco long enough (years), you get a bonus. stay at costco for 25+ years, you get a lifetime membership. i'm not worried about those last two.
@@daveheelI totally forgot about the turkey! Lol. Sadly we don't get merchandise discounts, but the prices there are actually really great. My mom works at a small business and her boss has me buy them printer paper and other office supplies at costco then writes me a check to reimburse me because of how good of a deal their printer paper is. Their alcohol is easily 20% less than it would be at a liquor store. They sell a 2 pack of pillows that sell for $22.99 for one of the pillows on Amazon. Oh, and with the insurance, my medication is dirt cheap. My inhaler is only $3 at the Costco pharmacy when it was $64 with my last insurance at Walmart
It really will depend on the upper managers, and the needs of the warehouse. If you've already accepted this position, as in you already signed the paperwork, it may be hard to switch. You can always ask if there's a chance to go to a different department. If they say no (or if you just play it safe and not say anything) you can always transfer departments when there's an opening.
You're probably a front end assistant. It's the most typical starting job. You'll be helping cashiers, and you do get to go out and push carts. Honestly it's not the worst job and it's a good way to climb up and get trained in many departments.
How's it going so far? Carts in my opinion is one of the best and worst jobs at the same time. It's great because you're outside and mostly left alone but sucks because you're stuck in the heat or freezing cold and where I'm at, people are awful drivers. But, I was able to quickly learn other things and then cross trained in Membership and Tire Shop, so when they'd have people on vacation or out sick, I'd be scheduled in those areas
I’ve worked in the Majors department for the last eight years and I’m constantly in and out of optical and constantly trying to help out members when there aren’t any employees there to help out I am currently waiting for an apprenticeship to open up because I really want to get into that department!
Optical is super fun! The warehouse where i got my position in optical was also next to major sales and photo, and we all helped each other, it was like the cool kids corner club. lol Now all the new stores have optical by pharmacy, and Photo is gone. Sad day.
