How to Get a Job at Menards
Menards hardware stores provide home improvement services to 14 states across America. Close to 300 stores carry supplies like building materials, tools, home appliances, automotive supplies, and gardening products. Based out of Eau Claire, WI, the company oversees the performance of more than 45,000 part-time and full-time employees. To maintain an efficient workforce, Menards features a straightforward interview and hiring process. Job seekers who provide all of the requisite employment materials may earn an invite to participate in interviews.
Interview Type and Length
The initial interview for a Menards position features a fairly typical conversation between an applicant and a store manager or supervisor. Duration of the interview varies strongly, though average time hovers around 30-40 minutes.
Appearance Prep
Even though hardware stores remain associated with manual labor, the job interview requires the same professionalism as any kind of corporate environment. Men should remain clean-shaven, or at least well-kempt, with neatly styled hair. Likewise, women should keep hair untangled and avoid wearing too much makeup. Extravagant or gaudy clothing may be unnecessary for Menards. Business or office-style clothing is most suitable for candidates.
Interview Questions
Since Menards involves a heavy retail environment, almost all questions will revolve around customer service performance. Job hopefuls should familiarize themselves with questions like, "Do you have any experience working in retail?" and "What is your greatest strength?", commonly with slight variations. Interviews also feature several behavior-related scenarios that require sound judgment on the part of the applicant. Candidates should craft answers in fairly balanced fashions, with clear and concise responses that do not drag on aimlessly.
Job Offers
Confirmation of hiring with Menards may take anywhere from the same day as the interview to a week. The decision heavily relies on the quality and number of applicants. Should a candidate receive an offer of employment, she must then complete orientation into the company.
Orientation
Mainly administrative in nature, the orientation process requires that an applicant participate in a drug screening, background check, and compatibility assessment. Some positions with the hardware retailer may ask that applicants meet certain physical requirements necessary to the job. After completing all phases of the interview process, individuals may then consider themselves employees of Menards.
Menards Sales Associate Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Menards Sales Associate: At Menard’s, I worked in the building materials department, and my job was to help customers find things they wanted, help advise them on things they might want to buy, for any particular project. My other big job was to stock all the wood and stuff like that. That was a big part of the job, and that was pretty much it.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Menards Sales Associate: For the most part, it was pretty decent, I suppose. A lot of it is independent – you’re on your own, and you’re helping people in addition to your own job duties. You also work with the rest of the people in your department to make sure all the tasks are done. So, I would say it was independent but interactive at the same time.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Menards Sales Associate: There was like profit-sharing you could do. You can get small raises by just filling out questionnaires and sending them in the mail. I thought that was cool. That was pretty interesting.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Menards Sales Associate: Probably go in before they open up and just tidy up, and make sure all the sales, the price tags are where they’re supposed to be. Make sure everything’s stocked, then people start to come in and you help them. Towards the end of the day, if there’s anything that needs to be stocked, you would do that, then maybe just clean up a little bit.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Menards Sales Associate: It was a traditional interview. I filled out an application and I heard back. I came in, and it was a very traditional type of interview. I believe they did tell me on the spot that I had the job.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Menards Sales Associate: Real traditional kind of things, like: “Do you have any experience working in retail?”, “Do you work well with others?”, “What’s your greatest flaw?” That kind of stuff. “What’s your greatest strength?” It was very traditional, I thought.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Menards Sales Associate: I think you got to show confidence in the interview. I think you have to not overdo it at the same time. I think confidence is the really big thing. They want to make sure you’re not going to be like a total introvert on the job. I think that was a big thing.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Menards Sales Associate: In terms of what to expect, I guess, you’re going to talk to a lot of builders, talk to a lot of people that are working on projects, contractors, and stuff like that. You’re going to be expected to really know the materials that you’re selling in your department, so you can make suggestions that they might not be aware of. You’re going to be expected to work hard. It’s not like a sit-down job, for sure.
Jake McCarthy says:
One thing I was told by a regular employee there, be willing to take part time, at least to start. Don’t only check the “Full time” box. They might get you in the door on a part time basis and then decide to keep you and bump you to full time. Be eager for part time.