John Menard, Jr. began building post-frame buildings to finance his college education. After graduation he found that he had to hire other people to help him and that customers were coming by to ask him to sell them lumber and other building materials. When he graduated in 1962 he decided to open up Menards Cashway Lumber in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This was the start of the first Menards home improvement stores.
Menards is a privately held company with 252 stores in 12 states: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming. Menards today is considered to be the third largest by sales home improvement company in the United States being behind Home Depot and Lowe’s. Menards ranked 24th in 2006 in the Forbes’ list of “America’s Largest Private Companies” making them one of the largest privately owned stores in the United States today.
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri: 7:00am-10:00pm; Sat: 7:00am-9:00pm; Sun: 8:00am-8:00pm
Minimum Age to Work Here: 16 years old
Positions Available: Sales Associate, Stock Associate, Morning Stock Associate, Guest Service Associate, Shipping Clerk, Receiving Clerk, Commercial Sales Contractor, Imports Specialist, Printed Advertising Technician, General Laborer, Data Entry Clerk, Project Manager, Quality Assurance Developer, Fleet Mechanic, Merchandising Office Assistant, Manager in Training, Department Manager, Assistant Manager, Store Manager, Post Frame Estimator, Controller, Maintenance Mechanic, Warehouse Team Member, Maintenance Manager
Background Check Required? Yes
Negotiation: There is no room for negotiation since the hourly rate is already set.
Job description/Average wage
Sales Associate: The sales associate must work on the floor assisting customers on a regular basis. They help the customers to find the merchandise that they need and performing other tasks in accordance with the department that they are working. They may be required to mix paint, cut boards, or find screws and knobs. Since this is a home improvement store many times the customers will ask advice on how to fix something or make a project. The sales associate often needs to be able to advise the customer on particular projects. The average wage for an hourly sales associate is $9.36.
Cashier: You’re going to work the front of the store where you’re going to help ring up customers, accept returns, as well as ensure that the customer gets everything that they need. You’re going to accept credit cards, cash, as well as help with larger orders. You’re going to answer to the lead cashier in charge. The average wage is anywhere from $8 to $13 a hour.
Receiving: The receiving clerk works in the warehouse unloading trucks as they bring supplies into the business. They must make sure that everything is accounted for when it comes to the store. The receiving clerk enters the merchandise into the computer making sure that it matches the order of merchandise. Also they must mark any merchandise that is damaged or shorted on the bill of laden. The average wage for a receiving clerk is $9.91 an hour.
Sales Representative: The sales representative is responsible to help the customers buy the right amount of merchandise for the project. Often the sales representative works with contractors who are buying for specific jobs and need to be able to maintain a budget. The sales representative is helpful in providing merchandise for the contractor within his budget. The average hourly rate for a sales representative is $9.00 an hour.
Department Manager: Working as department manager will mean that you’re going to watch over a department where you’re going to assign tasks, manage the department, as well as perform other various duties such as cleaning, stocking and more. You’re going to more than likely answer to the main manage of the store. The average wage is anywhere from $10 to $19 a hour.
Benefits
- Health Care Package
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays
- 401 (k) and instant profit sharing
- Weekend bonus pay
- Management gets bonus
- Team discount prices
Atmosphere and Perks
Menards welcomes the new employees even in the entry level position with fun filled and welcoming workplace environment. At the start, the company offers generous and competitive pay rates, paid on the job training and flexible work hours. As soon as you will become an eligible employee, you will also enjoy retirement benefits, health and wellness insurance and other perks. This is a right company for those who would like to start a career in a workplace that presents advancement and professional growth.
Interview Questions
Can you describe your experience with tools and home improvement related tasks?
How will you answer or address the needs of the customers who would like to buy home improvement tools?
If you were a tool, what kind of tool would you be?
Have you experience shopping at Menards?
What skills do you have that is best suited to the company?
How will you deliver an outstanding customer service?
What would you do to make the customer keep coming back to the store to purchase their needs?
How will you deal difficult employees?
Interview Tips
The Menards holds an interview process that is described as straightforward. The interview is a one-on-one interview to identify f the applicant is really suited for the position. Only the potential employees whom the interviewer is impressed can fill the vacancy. Thu, when come of ran interview, dressed up professionally and that your confidence will exude. Answer all questions concisely and tactfully; maintain an eye to eye contact to manifest that you are really sincere about the job you would like to have with the company.
How to Apply
You may apply for these positions and many others with Menards by going to their website:http://www.menards.com/careers
Please feel free to stop into your local Menards and ask for an application and checkout the posting for openings in your area.