Employment at Sears
Sears used to be America’s largest retailer. In 1989 it was surpassed by Walmart, then by Target, Home Depot and Best Buy. The company, “Sears, Roebuck & Company”, under its full name, is one of the most successful American multinational department store chains. Its headquarters can be found at the Hoffman Estates, Illinois, U.S. Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck founded the company together back in 1886. Sears and Roebuck expanded greatly and in 1925 it began opening local department stores. Business peak was reached during the 1960s. In 2005, Sears and Roebuck was acquired by Kmart, and it became its subsidiary. The company was renamed to Sears Holdings (www.sears.com).
Although, initially, Sears was designed for the slow-growing, less-spending population of America, it had to shift its focus to the more urban side of the country to ensure profits. Instead of working in accordance to the latest outlet fashions, it decided to go for practicality and durability. It was one of the first stores to allow clients to select their own goods. In 1930, Sears opened its fully air-conditioned “windowless” store.
Its layout was designed solely for merchandising purposes. Despite the fact that it couldn’t maintain its number one position for long, it remains one of the most successful retailing companies in America to this day (it placed 12 last year as one of America’s retailers and it is currently the fourth largest department store company in the country). Naturally, in order to provide high-quality services to its huge amount of customers, Sears regularly hires entry-level and qualified staff to service its 793 locations (including Chicago, Tucson, NJ and more).
Sears job application extends the opportunity for you to work for the nation’s largest provider of home services and a leading home appliance retailer. They are also a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. In fact, a Sears online application for employment is your chance to work for a company that has been awarded the 2011 Mobile Retailer of the Year and Recipient of the 2012 ENERGY STARÒ “Corporate Commitment Award” for Product Retailing and Energy Management. They have also been voted one of the Top 20 Best Places to Work for Recent Grads. Submit your application now to build your career and future with an award-winning company.
Before you submit your application you should familiarize yourself with the company’s history (as presented above), as well as its different sectors of work. In the following article we will share with you tips for applying for a job, career requirements and benefits, salary and compensation information and interview tips. Sears Holdings is a leading supplier of lawn & garden tools, home essentials, bed & bath essentials, sports equipment, outdoor items, fashion and children accessories, consumer electronics and more. It also owns a Parts & Services department which offers home improvement solutions for customers. All of these facts point to the fact that there are many diversified Sears careers that you can enjoy. We will take look at the most important ones before submitting the Sears application.
Detailed information about benefits, payroll and resources can be found on 88 Sears (www.sears88.com)
Sears Application – Employment at Sears
Sears employment application creates the opportunity for your talent to be recognized and grow. At Sears, employees are valued for their teamwork, integrity and positive energy that form the heart of the company. Whether you are an experienced professional, ex-military, fresh college graduate or a student looking for internship or an entry level position, there is always something for you. Submit your Sears job application form to join their team of dedicated, talented employees and start building your exciting career.
You can apply for sears department store positions in two ways. You can either do it the traditional way, or you can submit your sears online application. If you decide to go for the traditional method you should pay a visit to the company’s locations. Bring your cover letter and resume with you. Sears allows walk-in applicants to walk in and submit their documents to receive evaluation for a career. The traditional reviewing process takes around a week or two, depending on need for new staff. If you are suitable for a position you will be contacted by the hiring personnel.
Sears career information page: www88 sears.com or www.sears.jobs.com
Sears Online Job Application
Sears job application is opened for many different types of available positions within the company. Depending on your work experience and skills, you can apply for any position from entry level and hourly jobs to professional and salaried positions or positions under college programs. Take advantage of the company’s comprehensive official careers website to find the suitable position that best matches your qualifications and career goals. Sears application online is very simple and it is the best way to be considered for current openings in the company. Once your Sears jobs and employment form is submitted, it will be reviewed by their hiring manager.
The Sears application process is extremely simple. Head on over to the official page (searsholdings.com) and navigate to the careers.com menu. On the right side of the screen you will see a small search box where you can type in keywords (job title) and a location. There is also an advanced search that you can use. Once you have named your search, a list of Sears careers will be listed for you. Each of them has a short description of responsibilities. You can now apply for a position, or save it for later. The Sears application is very short, and it covers basic information such as background, education, personal information and schedule availability.
The PDF version of the Sears online application can be found here. You can print out this document and submit it to your local store together with your resume, cover letter or reference list. If you are unsure about the type of career that you want to apply at Sears for, you can use the Career path Finder. This tool will ask you several questions (example: “Do you enjoy assisting and taking care of customers?”) to determine what type of Sears holdings corporation career is better suited for you. To apply for Sears jobs you must login to your account.
Minimum Age for Employment at Sears
If you meet the company’s minimum age requirement of 16 years and above, you can submit a job application online via their official career website. Sears is committed to diversity and will consider qualified applicants from any race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.
Sears Store Hours
What are the Sears hours of operation? Sears operating hours start from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm every Monday to Friday. They open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm every Saturday while Sunday’s operating hours varies depending on location. Despite a common misconception that retail involves long anti-social hours, at Sears you will be offered great flexibility in schedules to work around your personal commitments. Keep in mind, however, that you will be working before opening hours and after closing hours to ensure that the stores are properly maintained and cleaned.
Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: hours may vary according to Sears department store location
Entry Level Sears Careers and Income
Available Sears Jobs: sales associate, cashier, automotive technician (more info on www.sears automotive.com), tire/battery installer, customer service associate, MCA (merchandising and customer assist), HR (human resources) representative, store/assistant manager, loss prevention manager, hardware associate, auto parts associate, driver/truck driver, shipping/receiving associate, general warehouse associate, associate copywriter, parts and ordering associate, service technician, office associate, beauty advisor, beauty sales coordinator, area merchandise coach etc.
The most sought position to be filled in the company is normally the entry level positions due to their high turnover. Sears frequently seek to fill these vacant positions as well as to fill new vacancies for their new stores. Among others, you can start your career with the company as clerical associate, sales associates, service technician, general warehouse associate, parts and ordering product admin or associate copywriter. Sears gives you the option of selecting between full or part-time employment as well as regular or seasonal work.All entry level positions will be paid the minimum wage with ample room for future salary increment.
Average Salary & Income for Sears Careers:
- Customer Service Representative: 27.000$/year
- Sears Career as Cashier: 18.000$/year
- Sears Jobs as Sales Representative: 41.000$/year
- Sears Jobs as Assistant Store Manager: 40.000$/year
- Sears Jobs as Store Manager: 43.000$/year
- Sears Jobs as Sales Consultant: 44.000$/year
- Sears Jobs as General Manager: 55.000$/year
- Sears Jobs as Customer Assistant: 24.000$/year
- Sears Jobs as Operations Manager: 61.000$/year
For most Sears Careers job-seekers are required to demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills and availability to work on different schedules. Being part of a team is also important, and retailing experience is welcome (although not mandatory). There are a variety of roles that must be filled, but let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones right now:
Sears Holdings Careers as Cashier: One of the most common Sears Holdings careers is that of a cashier. Job description and duties do not vary much from other cashier jobs. A cashier must work together with the sale associate to provide customer service to the best of his abilities. Working in a dynamic environment can be very stressful, especially since there are many tasks that need to be completed. For example, a cashier must complete accurate transactions (cash and Mastercard or Visa credit card ones); he must ring up sales and optimize them by enforcing upselling techniques. In addition to this, the cashier must also enroll patrons in reward programs, inform about different discounts and assist with maintenance and housekeeping duties.
Besides the obvious perk of earning a decent pay, cashiers at the Sears Holdings Corporation also have the chance to advance to a better position if they prove their worth. Typically, cashiers start at 8.00$ per hour, but can earn up to 11.00$ per hour with tenure. Would you like to become part of the team? Then what are you waiting for? Submit your Sears application today or download the printable version of it and take it to a store manager in person.
Sears Holdings Careers as Sale Associate: Sales associates usually work in part time capacity. They are responsible for offering customer assistance for one or more departments (depending on knowledge) and maintaining shelves stocked. To be considered for Sears employment as a sale associate you must have working knowledge of products. Other job duties include handling complaints from customers, processing transactions (returns, sales, and exchanges), cleaning the store, replenishing merchandise and more. The average income for a sale associate is minimum wage – it starts at 9.00$ per hour and can go up over time. Applications can be submitted through the official portal (sears.jobs.com).
Official career site: www.88 sears careers.com
Sears Careers in Management
Sears frequently seek to attract, retain and develop the best people who are aligned with the company’s missions and goals. The company’s career pavingemployment opportunities are opened for a wide range of managerial positions starting from general manager, district manager, field sales manager, field sales trainer, sales project consultant, loss prevention manager to branch manager. Management positions will receive attractive remuneration packages that may have 6-figure potential depending on your qualifications, work experience and the location.
Despite the fact that Sears Holdings Corporation prefers to promote from within, it will regularly consider qualified individuals for administrative positions. The store usually runs a management format for several manager positions. Managers have very important tasks such as maintaining store profitability vs. labor hours, checking applicances from job-seekers, organizing work schedules, hold interviews and implement new strategies.
In addition to this, managers in leadership positions must also ensure that all employees understand and operate in accordance to the company’s vision and standards. Department and assistant store managers will earn roughly 35.000-45.000$ per year, while store managers can earn as much as 80.000$ per year.
Basic Tips to Apply Online with Sears
Sears application takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete. You will be required to join their talent network to begin your application process. You can use your Facebook or LinkedIn accounts or simply use your email address to create your user account. You will be asked to input your name and social security number to verify your eligibility for the position applied. Subsequently you will also be asked a series of questions that include your educational background, work history and your earliest availability. Prioritize to have all the required information ready before you begin on the Sears online application. Sometimes overlooked silly mistake could cause you a chance to work with the company.
Information required for the Sears job application;
- Social security number, first; middle & last name
- Preference for work place: Auto Center or store
- Zip Code, education, work history, phone number, employment availability
- Email address and date of birth
The Sears application process has two stages. Use your associate login details to access your account. First you have to complete the application with personal info, education work history etc. Once you complete this stage you will have to take an assessment test that will determine if you are a good fit for the company. The assessment module has 82 questions that you can complete in 30 minutes. If you pass the test you can schedule an interview for yourself. Keep in mind that you will have to call the human resources department to confirm the interview to avoid an unpleasant situation (many reviews have reported that the HR department wasn’t aware of their interview).
Official site: www.searsholding.com
Advanced Tips to Apply Online with Sears
As you fill out the Sears application, think about what Sears is looking for in a new employee. To learn more, it is advisable to visit their official website to find out about the company’s missions, values and goals. Sears normally look for applicants who possess the willingness and ability to find solutions to help customers as well as being tech savvy. It is an IT-era these days you should know.
It is always a good idea to include a concise and specific cover letter with your application. Address the job requirements directly and list your accomplishments that speak out to the hiring manager. Review your details before you submit the Sears online application.Wait 24 hours before submitting your final Sears job application and ask a friend to review it with you. Re-check your application after the 24 hours have passed and if there is nothing you want to change, click the submit button. Never include information that isn’t relevant to the Sears career you are interested in. Hiring personnel isn’t interested in your life’s history.
Sears Job Application Status
As you fill out the Sears application, think about what Sears is looking for in a new employee. To maximize your Sears Co. employment chances you must provide the information that the company wants to hear. Do you have any technical experience? Can you work with computers? Do you have studio experience? Have you ever worked in the telemarketing industry? Do you have logistics work experience? These are only a few examples of questions that you might be asked, and skills that might help you secure a Sears career. In general, Sears managers will reach out to eligible candidates within to week. However, many job seekers have reported that the HR staff sometimes forgets to follow-up applications or interview. In other words, it might be a good idea to reach out to the hiring personnel in two or three weeks after submitting your Sears application.
If you haven’t received a call or email from the hiring dept. you should consider following-up with them. You can send an email or simply call the store that you have applied for. This will display genuine interest in the position that you have applied for. You could also show up to the Sears Department store in person to enquire about your application status. This might earn you immediate consideration, especially if you show up during less-busy hours. Try to take into account the manager’s schedule and workload. Also, the last thing you want is to seem desperate. For more information about the Sears application & status check out the official carrer websites (ssears.com, 88sears hiring.com com and www.job sears-online.com)
Sears Benefits
The Sears Holdings Corporation rewards part time and full time employees who prove their worth.A successful Sears application comes with a variety of job benefits. The company provides a comprehensive and competitive benefit program designed to meet the needs of the employees. Eligibility will depend on employment classification, location and several other variables. Briefly, the benefits include healthcare coverage through medical and dental and optical plans, life and disability insurance, 401(k) savings plan, associate stock purchase plan, holiday time off and paid time off. Eligible employees can also expect to enjoy discounts on merchandise purchased in the company’s stores throughout the country.
Sears Interview Tips & Hiring Process Information
After completing the rigorous evaluation process and verification module, job-seekers will have to prepare for their interview. Individuals applying for managerial positions will undergo in-depth interview sessions with several hiring managers. During these interviews candidates must give brief self-summaries, describe past experiences and demonstrate their supervising and organizational skills. As far as entry-level jobs are concerned, the interview process is quite basic. An eligible candidate will receive a follow up call within a week or two. The interviewer will ask a few questions and set up an interview. If you have scheduled your own interview you must follow up with the HR department to confirm the date.
In general, applicants for cashier/sale associate jobs will have to complete two rounds of face-to-face interviews. During the first interview the applicant will sit down with an assistant manager and answer standard questions related to work experience, education ethics etc. In the second interview hiring personnel will assess your skills. For example, you may be asked to “sell” objects on the table to your interviewer. Before the interview ends you may also be encouraged to ask some questions. You could enquire about salaries and other issues that are relevant for you. You should also check out a job forum for some personal opinions of Sears job-seekers.
Here are a few tips that will help you nail the Sears Careers interview:
- Respect the business dress code for interview meetings. Stick to a business or business casual attire in order to impress your hiring staff.
- Maintain a correct posture and eye contact. It is imperative to look your interviewer in the eyes. This will exude confidence.
- Bring copies of your resume to hand out to recruiters.
- Keep your answers short and honest. The employer doesn’t have time for elaborate interview answers.
Official site: www.jobs.sears.com
Frequently Asked Sears Interview Questions
Now that you know all there is to know about the Sears app and interview process, here are some of the most frequently asked Sears Interview questions. Although there are no 100% correct answers, you should look around forums to get some pointers.
- What made you apply to Sears?
- Are you familiar with the employee handbook?
- Tell me something about HVAC systems. (Other examples would include carpet care, photography and home improvement). The hiring personnel wants to determine which department you are suitable for.
- What can you tell me about Sears credit card application?
- How flexible is your schedule?
- Do you have any experience in the retailing industry?
- Why should Sears Holdings hire you?
- Would you offer a customer a discount if he asked for it?
- Tell me about a time when you exceeded your manager’s expectations.
- How do you define customer service?
- What are the responsibilities of a call center representative?
- What would you do if one of your co-workers was stealing from the store?
- How would you handle a subordinate who stepped out of line?
- Can you learn the prices for the products in your assigned department?
- Would you speak up if the manager didn’t treat you fair?
Useful and Interesting Facts about Sears
Sears’ long-established commitment to those who serve in the military has garnered a consistent top 50 ranking on the G.I. Jobs’ the Top 100 Military Friendly Employers List. For 2013, the company is ranked at #14 for their efforts to employ and support military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve as well as military spouses.
Sears considers them among their most valuable assets. Sears also ranked as the top broadline retailer in the 2012 Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplaces by The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. The release of the 6thannual Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List helps the Foundation increase foster care adoption awareness while celebrating those businesses that support adoptive families.
This concludes our Sear jobs tips and tricks guide. Take charge of your career now if you want to build a future for yourself. We hope that this advice will come in handy the next time you apply for a job with Sears. We are confident that you will nail your interview and Sears application in no time.
To access the Sears Online Application directly, click here.
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