Costco Interview Questions, Answers and Hiring Process

Most people are hired at Costco into part-time, entry-level jobs (front-end assistant, food court, member service or stocking), and the interview is mostly about three things: will you serve members well, will you show up for nights and weekends, and will you stay. Costco says it fills most merchandising and corporate positions by recruiting its own warehouse employees, and that 87% of its General Managers were promoted from within, so interviewers look for people who could grow with the company. Here is the process, eleven questions with sample answers, and what the job pays.

The roles Costco hires for

Costco’s warehouses (its name for stores) list a long range of typical positions: cashier, cashier assistant and cart pusher, food service assistant, stocker, member service and membership assistant, bakery wrapper, cake decorator, meat cutter and wrapper, tire sales, optical and pharmacy roles, receiving clerk, inventory auditor and forklift driver. Costco also hires for depots, Costco Logistics, member service call centers, Costco Travel and corporate and technology jobs.

On its how-to-apply page Costco is direct about the reality of entry-level work:

  • You should be ready to work busy hours, typically nights and weekends, and stocking takes place in the early morning.
  • Most new hires start part-time in jobs such as front-end assistant, food court, member service and merchandise stocking.
  • Costco selects candidates on transferable skills, prior experience and member service skills.
  • Some positions require you to demonstrate skills or pass a business-related test.

The Costco hiring process step by step

  1. Apply online at careers.costco.com to one or more locations. New warehouses accept applications about 12 weeks before opening.
  2. Introduce yourself. Costco says each warehouse receives hundreds of applications and suggests that, after applying online, you introduce yourself to the hiring manager at your chosen location. Go on a weekday morning, not during the Saturday rush.
  3. Reapply if needed. Applications expire after 90 days. If you hear nothing, submit a new one.
  4. Interview(s). Candidate reports on Glassdoor commonly describe a first interview with a supervisor or department manager, sometimes followed by a second interview with a warehouse manager or assistant general manager. Some candidates describe a walk through the warehouse.
  5. Skills test, if your role needs one. For example, a cake decorator or optician may be asked to show the skill.
  6. Offer and background check. Costco takes part in E-Verify nationwide, so you will need valid work authorization documents.

Veterans applying for part-time, entry-level warehouse jobs can email the regional representative listed on Costco’s site after applying; Costco says it is committed to giving veterans an interview spot toward the front of the line.

What Costco looks for: the Code of Ethics

Costco says it has conducted business according to its Code of Ethics since it began in 1983, and the principles make a useful checklist for your answers. It has five principles:

Principle What it means for your answers
Obey the law Following procedures even when no one is watching
Take care of our members “Member service is Job No. 1,” as Costco’s careers page puts it
Take care of our employees Teamwork, safety, looking out for coworkers
Respect our suppliers Handling merchandise carefully, reducing shrink and waste
Reward our shareholders Working efficiently and keeping costs low

Costco’s values page also says “do the right thing” has guided the company since its founding. Use that phrase only if you can back it up with a story.

Remember that Costco says “members,” not customers. Using the word naturally shows you have paid attention.

11 Costco interview questions with sample answers

Answer behavioral questions with the STAR method and keep each answer under two minutes. Our article on behavioral interview questions has more examples.

1. Why do you want to work at Costco?

“I have been a member for years and I notice that the same employees are there every time, which tells me people stay. I am looking for a job I can grow in, not a short-term one, and Costco promotes from within. I also like the pace: it is busy, but it is organized.”

2. Can you work nights, weekends and early mornings?

“Yes. I can work any weekend shift and evenings until close. I can also do early stocking shifts three days a week.” Be honest; scheduling is one of the main things Costco screens for.

3. What does member service mean to you?

“Members pay to shop here, so they expect more than a regular store. For me it means knowing where things are, walking someone to an item instead of pointing, and making checkout fast. It also means being honest if we are out of something and suggesting an alternative.”

4. Tell me about a time you dealt with an upset customer.

“At a pharmacy counter where I worked, a man was angry that his prescription was not ready. I listened, checked the system and found the insurance approval was pending. I explained exactly what was missing, called the insurer while he waited, and got it approved in 15 minutes. He thanked me before he left. Listening first made the rest easier.” See also our guide to the difficult customer question.

5. A member wants to return an item that is clearly used. How do you handle it?

“I would follow Costco’s return policy and process it politely if it qualifies, because the generous return policy is part of why members trust Costco. If I was unsure whether it qualified, I would ask a supervisor rather than argue with the member.”

6. This job is physical. How do you feel about lifting and standing all shift?

“I am comfortable with it. At my last job I unloaded deliveries and stood for eight-hour shifts. I take lifting safety seriously: bend at the knees, use a pallet jack or ask for help with heavy items.”

7. Tell me about a time you noticed a safety problem.

“At a grocery store I worked at, a cooler was leaking onto the floor near the entrance. I put out a wet-floor sign, cleaned it up and reported the leak to maintenance so it would be fixed, not just mopped. Nobody slipped, and it was repaired that afternoon.”

8. What would you do if you saw a coworker taking merchandise?

“I would report it to a manager. It is not easy, but stealing hurts everyone, including the people who work honestly. I would not confront the coworker myself.” This links directly to “obey the law” in the Code of Ethics.

9. How do you work as part of a team when it gets busy?

“I focus on my area but keep an eye on the others. At my last job, when the front end backed up, I left my restocking to bag at the registers until the lines cleared. Then I went back. Teams work when people do not stick rigidly to their own task.”

10. Where do you see yourself in five years?

“Still at Costco, ideally as a supervisor or in a department I have grown into, like receiving or the bakery. I know a lot of managers here started as cashiers or stockers, and I want that path.”

11. Do you have any questions for us?

Always say yes. Good options are in the next section.

For general practice, work through 50 common interview questions and our guide on why should we hire you.

Questions to ask the interviewer

  • Which departments are hiring most at this warehouse right now?
  • How does scheduling work for new part-time employees?
  • How do people here move from part-time to full-time?
  • What do your best front-end assistants do that others do not?

What to wear and practical tips

Business casual works for nearly every Costco interview: slacks or clean dark jeans, a collared shirt or neat blouse, and comfortable closed-toe shoes in case you are shown around the floor.

  • Apply to more than one nearby warehouse to raise your chances.
  • Follow up in person a few days after applying, as Costco itself suggests. Keep it to a short, friendly introduction and ask whether the hiring manager is available.
  • Bring a printed list of your availability and two references.
  • Know the warehouse: where the food court, tire center and pharmacy are, and when it is busiest.

Costco pay and benefits

Costco does not publish one starting wage, and pay depends on job, location and length of service. Press coverage gives a good guide. Reuters reported in January 2025 that a memo from CEO Ron Vachris raised bottom-of-scale hourly pay in the US by 50 cents to $20, and top-of-scale pay by $1 to $30.20, with further $1 increases planned in each of the next two years, so top-of-scale rates in 2026 are higher than that first step. Treat these as reported figures and check the rate on the posting for your location.

Costco is also known for its benefits package. Ask about eligibility for health coverage and retirement contributions during your interview, since these depend on hours worked.

FAQ

How long does a Costco application stay active?

Costco says online applications expire after 90 days. If you have not heard from your chosen location in that time, submit a new application to stay in the applicant pool.

What jobs does Costco usually hire new people for?

Costco says most candidates are hired for part-time, entry-level jobs such as front-end assistant, food court, member service and merchandise stocking.

Does Costco have a test as part of the hiring process?

For some positions, yes. Costco says you may be required to demonstrate skills or pass a business-related test. What the test covers depends on the job, so ask when you are invited to interview.

What does Costco pay entry-level employees?

Reuters reported in January 2025 that Costco raised bottom-of-scale hourly pay in the US to $20 and top-of-scale pay to $30.20, with further $1 increases planned in each of the following two years. Rates depend on role, location and length of service, so check the posting.

What should I wear to a Costco interview?

Business casual: slacks or clean dark jeans, a collared shirt or neat blouse, and closed-toe shoes you can walk in, since some interviews include a walk through the warehouse.

Prepare for your Costco interview

If your role involves a business-related test or you are aiming for a supervisor position, short daily practice helps. Try the numerical reasoning test on Assessment-Training.com, or explore interview and test packages at Assessment-Training.com.

About the Author

Ingmar van Maurik is a career and assessment preparation expert who helps candidates improve their interview and test performance.

References