Staples, an established leader in the office supply industry, serves millions of customers, from small businesses, educational institutions, and large enterprises. As a result, it’s a highly profitable company and a great place to build a career.
Getting a job at Staples, like any other company, involves several key steps – understanding the job opportunities, knowing what they look for in candidates, getting familiar with the duties and requirements of the roles, learning how to apply, and navigating their interview process.
If this has piqued your interest, this guide is for you. In this article, I will break down these steps and provide you with detailed insights, tips, and guidelines to help you navigate the Staples hiring process.
Whether you aspire to be a part of their retail team, wish to join their behind-the-scenes warehouse operations, or aim for a corporate role, keep reading for everything you need to know.
Career Opportunities at Staples
Staples hosts a vibrant and diverse palette of roles, each crucial in weaving the cohesive fabric of this industry-leading business. The roles can broadly be broken down into retail, distribution, and corporate jobs.
Let’s take a look at each of these different types of roles, and a few of the specific positions in each category. That way, you’ll be able to choose which career path you might want to pursue!
Retail Jobs
On the retail end of Staples, positions such as a Retail Sales Associate, Print & Marketing Associate, and Retail Supervisor form the heart of the workforce.
Retail Sales Associates are the frontline ambassadors of the Staples brand who engage with customers, guide them through products, and ensure they have a seamless shopping experience.
Print & Marketing Associates, on the other hand, focus on assisting customers with their print and marketing needs, from designing business cards and banners to assisting with copy services and other marketing materials. It’s an immersive role that blends creativity with customer service.
Retail Supervisors, as you can imagine, are the backbone that keeps the retail operations upright and functioning smoothly. Their role involves managing sales performance, executing strategies to boost sales, and leading the Retail Associates in providing excellent service.
Distribution Roles
Here, roles like Warehouse Associate, Delivery Driver, and Distribution Center Supervisor exist. For example, the Delivery Drivers ensure the timely and safe delivery of Staples’ products to our customers, ensuring a superior level of service extends beyond the store’s walls.
These individuals help ensure there are no flaws in Staples’ supply chain and keep the logistical side of the company running smoothly. Although they’re behind-the-scenes positions, these are critical roles in ensuring the success of the business.
Corporate Roles
These are the strategic roles that form the umbrella under which all these operations prosper. In Staples language are segments like Finance, Marketing, eCommerce, and Technology.
Whether it’s an eCommerce Analyst, using data to optimize digital sales strategies, or a Financial Analyst, meticulously crafting annual financial plans, these roles are the invisible hands that guide Staples’ steady sail in the industry.
Staples’ Hiring Criteria – What Is Staples Looking For?
Now that you know a bit about what types of roles you can apply for at Staples, it’s time to get serious.
Knowing the role you’re after isn’t enough; you also need to know what the company is looking for so that you can catch their eye as a potential candidate for your chosen position.
Here are a couple of qualities that Staples often looks for when hunting down the perfect person to fill a role.
Can-Do Attitude
The company believes in fostering a positive work culture where every individual feels empowered to contribute their unique skills and perspectives. So, whether you’re applying for a sales associate position or a managerial role, showing enthusiasm and a genuine willingness to contribute can set you apart.
Customer-Oriented Mindset
Whether it’s serving someone at the cash register or helping a customer over the phone, Staples employees always strive to provide positive customer experiences.
As an applicant, your willingness to go the extra mile to serve and understand customers can significantly increase your chances of getting hired.
Collaboration and Teamwork
At Staples, team effort is at the core of their everyday operations, and they highly value individuals who can effectively work with others toward achieving collective goals.
If you can demonstrate your competence in teamwork, either through past experiences or by illustrating your collaborative mindset, you’re definitely on the right track.
Embracing Diversity and Inclusion
As a global brand with a diverse workforce, Staples highly values differences in culture, race, gender, experience, and thought. Showing respect for diversity and inclusivity, as well as demonstrating a global mindset, can speak volumes about your fit in the Staples work culture.
Requirements for a Job at Staples
Besides these soft skills, there are also some hard requirements that you’ll have to have to work at Staples.
Whereas not having specific qualities won’t necessarily remove you from the potential ‘to hire’ list, not meeting these requirements generally will.
Let me take you through what you need to know about the requirements to work at Staples.
Age Requirement
At Staples, the minimum age to work is generally 18. This is a standard requirement across many companies, but it’s always good to know it upfront. If you’re a young job seeker, Staples could provide a wonderful opportunity to gain work experience and grow your skills in a dynamic retail environment.
Of course, there may be some locations that are okay with you working at a younger age than this. However, this will depend heavily on local laws and regulations. If you’re unsure, it’s best to do some research before applying for a position.
Education and Experience
You might worry about needing specific retail experience. This, however, isn’t necessarily the case. For entry-level positions such as a Sales Associate or Cashier, there are no set qualifications beyond having a High School Diploma or equivalent.
That said, having prior retail or customer service experience would certainly be a plus point and increase your likelihood of getting hired.
For managerial roles or specialized positions, the requirements differ. Staples typically looks for individuals with a relevant bachelor’s degree and related work experience in a similar role.
For example, if you’re applying for a Store Manager position, Staples would likely want to see that you have experience in a leadership role, managing a team, and working in a retail environment.
How to Apply for a Job at Staples
If you’ve checked out the job requirements and qualifications to work at Staples and feel you might be a fit, it’s time to move on to the next phase of the hiring process — the application process.
Applying for a job at Staples is an easy and straightforward process. Here, I’ll guide you through that process, step by step.
Visit Staples’ Career Website
Firstly, you’ll need to head over to the company’s career website. The page is neatly organized, and you can directly see the banner “Search for jobs.” Click on that.
A new page will be opened with the option to search for jobs based on the category, location, or experience level that suits you best.
The search results can yield numerous opportunities, each one clearly outlining the position’s requirements, duties, and whether it is full-time or part-time. Reading through these, you can find a position that interests you.
After clicking on the job title, you are redirected to a detailed job description. Reading through it can help you understand what Staples expects from you in this role. Once ready, you can click on the “Apply Now” button.
Online Application
Now comes a critical step – the online application form. This form is comprehensive and focuses on understanding your experience, skills, and qualifications. Remember to fill in each field accurately and honestly.
For example, when asked about your previous work experience, make sure to illustrate how your responsibilities and skills align with what Staples is looking for in the role you want to apply for.
Once satisfied with your application, review it one last time for any errors, and then click on the “Submit” button. Voila! You’ve now officially applied for a job at Staples!
Creating a Job Alert
In case you don’t immediately find a suitable role, don’t worry. Staples’ website provides an option to create a “job alert.” This means you’ll receive an email whenever a role aligning with your interests and skills becomes available.
Staples Job Interview Process
Once you make it past the application process, it’s time to head to the interview! Here’s what to expect in the interview process at Staples.
Phone Screening
This is a brief conversation where the hiring manager will check your basic qualifications and gauge your interest in the role. It’s important to make a good impression right from here. Be punctual, speak clearly, and confidently communicate your interest in the position.
Remember, the telephone interview is the first opportunity for you to actually connect with someone at the company. Even though the person can’t see you, put your best foot forward and act just as you would if they were there with you in person.
Face-to-Face Interview
After you clear the phone screening, you’ll be invited to a face-to-face interview. This could be with the store manager, a team lead or even part of a group interview based on the role you’ve applied for.
At this stage, they are keen on seeing how you interact, fit within the team, and handle real-life situations.
Tips for the Interview
Worried you won’t be able to make it past one interview or the other? Don’t panic! An easy way to prepare is to go over possible interview questions.
Some of the commonly asked interview questions you could expect at a Staples interview include:
- “Can you tell me about a time when you’ve delivered exceptional customer service?”
- “Tell me about your previous retail or similar experience.”
- “How do you handle a difficult customer?”
- “What do you know about Staples and our products?”
In order to excel at this phase, I’d highly recommend you make use of the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer these questions.
This means setting the scene (Situation), explaining your role (Task), detailing what you undertook (Action), and finally sharing the outcome (Results).
For instance, when asked about a time you exhibited exceptional customer service, you could detail an instance where you went above and beyond to help a customer find a product they needed, resulting in a grateful and loyal customer.
Tips to Stand Out Among the Candidates for a Job at Staples
As a career coach, I’ve seen a variety of strategies that job seekers can employ to stand out from the crowd.
When it comes to securing a job at Staples, here are a few tips that you can implement to help you make a great impression.
Show genuine excitement
It’s quite simple: when you’re excited about a potential job, that enthusiasm tends to shine through naturally during an interview.
The same holds true when applying for a job at Staples. Managers want to know that you’re not only knowledgeable about the company but also genuinely excited about the prospect of joining the team.
For example, when asked why you want to work for Staples, give specific examples about what draws you to the company, whether it is their commitment to customer service, their inclusive work culture, or their growth opportunities.
Understand Staples’ goals and values
It’s essential to familiarize yourself with Staples’ mission, values, and goals. Understanding these will help you align your answers to showcase why you’re a good fit for the company.
For instance, if you know that Staples values collaboration and teamwork, highlight your experiences in team environments and explain how effective you are at working with others.
Tailor your resume
Be sure to customize your resume to the specific role you’re applying for. Emphasize the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job.
If you’re applying for a merchandising job, for example, highlight your experience with inventory management and point-of-sale systems.
Ace the interview
Before your interview, practice answering common interview questions and focus on your strengths that best match the job requirements. Bring up specific examples where you’ve demonstrated these skills in the past. Remember, confidence is key.
Follow up after your interview
Send a thank you email after the interview expressing your gratitude for the opportunity. This not only shows good manners but also reminds the hiring manager of your interest in the role.
Staples Employee Salary and Benefits
In the journey of job seeking, one of the most crucial factors we tend to analyze, and rightfully so, is the compensation package. It plays a pivotal role in our decision-making process.
So, let’s dive into the average salaries and benefits Staples offers to its associates.
Just remember, as we go over salaries and benefits, be aware that these figures could change depending on where you work. Different localities may have different starting wages, so it’s important to keep this in mind as you apply for a position.
Salary
When it comes to salary, what you can expect at Staples truly depends on the position you hold. Let’s check out a few entry-level and higher-level compensation packages to give you a better idea of what I’m talking about.
Entry-Level Role Compensation
For example, if you are a Sales Associate, you could be looking at an average hourly rate of around $10 to $165.
These positions generally do not require a substantial amount of experience, which is what contributes to their accessibility for job seekers entering the workforce or looking for part-time work.
Higher-Level Role Compensation
Positions that demand more experience or qualifications, naturally, come with a higher pay grade. For a Department Supervisor, you could earn around $46,000 per year, whereas a General Manager could expect an annual salary averaging around $70,000.
The variances in these numbers demonstrate the spectrum of opportunities available at Staples.
Benefits
Staples appreciates the important role benefits play in every associate’s life. That’s why they offer a compelling benefits package irrespective of whether you’re a full-time or part-time associate.
Staples’ wide-ranging benefits include health insurance coverage encompassing dental and vision. They also facilitate well-being programs to ensure the continual health of their employees.
401(k) Plan
An integral part of their benefits package is the 401(k) plan, which helps you secure a comfortable future. Staples contributes generously with its 401(k) match framework.
Tuition Reimbursement
For those looking to advance their education, Staples’ tuition reimbursement program can offset some of the schooling costs.
Paid Time Off
This is another appealing benefit, giving you the chance to relax, recharge, and return to work rejuvenated.
Employee Discounts
Employee discounts on Staples products are an added perk, benefiting associates who wish to purchase Staples’ wide array of products.
Next Steps
Staples is a company that’s looking for committed, passionate, and dedicated individuals who value customer service, teamwork, and continual learning. If you see these qualities in yourself, then Staples might be the right place for you to apply.
Remember, regardless of whether you’re interested in a retail position, a warehouse role or something at the corporate level, Staples has a diverse range of roles to suit your unique interests and skills.
Navigating your career path isn’t always straightforward, but with dedication, persistence, and a positive outlook, you can reach your goals. Whether you’re launching your career or looking to make a shift, remember that each step is an opportunity to learn and grow. Reach out to one of our career coaches to get help acing the job search process, whether it’s at Staples or another company.