History of REI

REI, also known as Recreational Equipment Incorporation was founded back in 1938.   Today, their headquarters are located in Kent, Washington.     They currently employ more than 9,000 across all of their 100 stores that are located in more than 25 states.   Annually, they do more than 1.5 billion in sales.   REI specializes in sporting goods based items.

Hours of Operation:   Mon-Sat: 10:00am-9:00pm; Sun: 11:00am-6:00pm

Minimum Age to Work Here:   16 years old

Positions Available:   Maintenance Technician, Mechanic, Production Specialist, Warehouse Associate, Instructor, Market Outreach Specialist, Administrative Specialist, Technician, Loss Prevention Specialist, Market Sales and Product Expert, Office Specialist, Outreach Administrator, Sales Specialist, Cashier Specialist, Customer Service Specialist, Floor Supervisor, Assistant Manager, Store Manager, Contact Center Representative, Cardboard Clerk, Inventory Control Clerk, Shipping and Receiving Specialist, Stocking Specialist, Advertising Program Manager, Designer, Development Manager, Human Resources Specialist, Customer Analytics Analyst

Background Check Required?  Yes

Negotiation:   Since the salary is already set, there is no more room for negotiation.

Job Description / Average Wage

Retail Sales Specialist: You’re going to work on the floor helping customers, as well as helping them with whatever they want to purchase.   You will help clean the department, stock shelves, as well make sure that every customer is leaving the store happy.   In your downtime, you will make sure that your department is kept clean, as well as up to date.   The average pay is $9 to $13 a hour.

Assistant Manager / Supervisor: You will be in charge or running either a department, or overseeing the whole store.   You will be asked to open the store, as well as close it.     You will assist customers, help employees with jobs, as well as make sure that the store is running at 100%.   If the main store manager has any issues, you will assist with those as well.   A manager starts off around $11 a hour.

Cashier: You will work in the front of the store ringing up customers, answering phones, as well as processing returns.   You will also make sure that the customer is satisfied when they leave the store.   In your downtime, you will help clean the front of the store.       There may be times when you’re going to have to process returns as well.   The average wage is $8 to $10 a hour.

Manager:   The main manager of the store will be responsible for making sure that the store is running according to corporate policy.   You’ll be in charge of hiring employees, assigning tasks as well as making sure that the employees are following directions.   You’ll assist customers with any problems that they may have as well as override any transactions that occur.   The average manager will start at $12 per hour, and this will be based on the experience that they have.

Benefits

• Great incentive pay
• Retirement, as well as profit sharing
• Great health plan
• Disability
• Paid time off and vacation
• Great room to grow
• Tuition reimbursement and more…

Atmosphere and Perks

REI is committed to keeping you as an employee by providing you wide array of job benefits.   It offers even part-time workers limited healthcare benefits and competitive pay. Full-time workers are eligible for retirement and profit sharing, paid leave, and employee discounts in addition to their vacation time. REI employees enjoy competitive salary and benefit packages allowing for personal and professional career growth.

Interview Questions

How did you know about REI?

Do you think this company is the best venue for your professional growth and development?

Do you shop at REI?

What kind of person are you?

Are you a team player?

How would you handle a disruptive or unmotivated team member?

Tell me about your sales experience?

Choose and item in the store and tell me how you would sell it

What do you like the most about our stores?

Interview Tips

Job application at REI starts with you submitting the necessary application documents and after which, you will be called for an interview. When you come for an interview be prepared, dress professionally and display a positive attitude to create an impression. Questions on the interview will likely be about your job history, your experience in the field of sales, your ability to deal with people and about your personality. Answer all these questions with utmost sincerity and make sure to show you are interested with the job you have applied for. There will no doubt that you will really be hired.

How to apply

If you wish, you can request an application in store, if you want to apply.   If you want to apply online, you can follow the following link, where you can get descriptions, as well as openings in your area that you can apply for:

http://www.rei.com/jobs/retailhourlymanage.html