With supermarkets and multi-departmental stores all across the US, Kroger is always searching for hardworking employees to jump-start their careers. But, how old do you have to be to become a part of the Kroger family?
Most Kroger stores keep the minimum hiring age at 16 years. However, in some states, 14-year-olds are allowed to work at Kroger, given that they have a work permit in adherence with the state’s child labor laws.
Read on as we discuss various Kroger openings that do not require prior experience and what you can earn on an hourly basis.
Job Positions For Teenagers At Kroger
Kroger hires teenagers (under 18 years of age) for entry-level jobs. Although, various job openings that do not have a minimum education or certification requirement may not consider candidates under 18 years in compliance with federal and state laws. When applying for a position, desired experience is mentioned.
Here are some Kroger job positions that entertain applications from 14, 16, and 18-year-olds. However, 14-year-old employees have restricted weekly work hours.
Courtesy Clerk/ Grocery Bagger
If a local Kroger has the minimum age limit set at 14 years, then a courtesy clerk or a grocery bagger is the position they will be considered for. The associate in this position must work alongside the cashier to assist customers. They are also responsible for bagging groceries, loading bags, removing items from the cart during checkout, moving carts to their designated areas, running price checks, and returning merchandise to the store shelves.
Cashier
Cashiers must handle transactions, know the POS system and work quickly to move the check lanes efficiently. They also need to be well-versed with various payment methods, greet the customers cheerfully, and follow guidelines on restricted sale items such as tobacco and alcohol. Cashiers are also responsible for informing the Scan Coordinator of any discrepancies in prices.
Bakery/Deli Clerk
Some of the responsibilities of the bakery/ deli clerk include preparing customer orders, informing customers of bakery specials, using bakery equipment according to company guidelines, and reviewing product freshness by looking at the “sell by” date.
They are also required to prepare, pack, and price ingredients in bakery products and stock them when necessary.
Fuel Clerk
Fuel clerks are supposed to maintain their station and equipment. They are also responsible for documenting information regarding fuel in various forms, maintaining inventory levels, and sanitizing fuel pumps.
What Kind of Benefits Do Kroger Employees Get?
Kroger employees get various benefits aimed at improving their current and future lifestyles. For eligible associates, some of the benefits also extend to their families.
Benefits of working at Kroger include 401(k) retirement and pension plans and other financial planning tools that help safeguard employees’ futures. Moreover, associates get access to affordable dental and health insurance, including wellness programs like well-child visits and free flu shots.
Kroger associates also enjoy daily employee discounts on “Our Brands” and household products, along with various budget deals all year long. They also have employee programs that offer free counseling. In addition, both part-time and full-time employees are eligible for ongoing education benefits of nearly $21,000 – this supports everything from GEDs to Bachelors to PhDs.
While many of the benefits mentioned above depend on eligibility, a fresh employee cannot ignore the excellent on-job training and learning programs at Kroger that set up current part-time associates for success within the company. In fact, Kroger prefers to fill senior leadership positions with employees from within. So, you get valuable experience and also have the opportunity to excel in the retail industry should you choose to make a career out of it.
Interview Questions at Kroger: Examples and Tips
According to current and former employees, Kroger interviews generally have behavior-based questions about the applied position. However, for technical roles, the questions can also be role-based.
Some common questions are about the best ways to handle stressful situations and work well with other people for most entry-level positions. Based on these questions, Kroger values (and looks for) employees who can keep calm in a fast-paced environment and have effective communication when working within a team. Sometimes the questions also tend to be more practical, like enquiring about the maximum weight a candidate can lift or asking about a prior experience where applicable.
While answers to all such questions differ depending on the applicant, a few tips can help all potential future associates leave a lasting impression.
- Be on time for your interview.
- Dressing formally intimates that you are serious about the job.
- Make sure you know the company and the applied position. You will most likely get asked why you want to work for Kroger.
- Maintain eye contact and answer clearly; good communication skills go a long way.
- Go in with a positive attitude. Your willingness to assist the customers on any day will set you apart.
For entry-level jobs like a courtesy clerk, most successful candidates hear back from Kroger within a week.
The Bottom Line
Kroger is an excellent employer, especially for a first job. While most Kroger locations start hiring from the age of 16, there are states which allow 14 years old to work at the supermarket chain. 14-year-old employees may need a work permit if the state requires it. Kroger employees enjoy a good working environment and benefits, which include health and retirement plans, ongoing education assistance, employee deals, discounts, and free counseling.
Moreover, Kroger’s employee training programs can set you up for leading positions within the company as they prefer filling such openings internally. The supermarket giants are good employers and should be on the list of teenagers looking to make it in the retail industry.
