Home depot jobs for 17 year olds

Home Depot Incorporated, or Home Depot as it is more commonly known, is the largest retail home improvement chain in the US. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, they have grown quickly, providing good quality equipment and products at competitive prices.

Over 2000 Stores

They now employ over 500,000 staff in over 2000 outlets, but how old do you have to be to work at Home Depot? The staff are spread across these retail outlets in the US and also include overseas locations. They also have outlets in Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, and Guam.

An Extensive Product Range

Whatever you need for improvements around the home, either inside or out, Home Depot are likely to sell it.

This includes Bathrooms, Kitchens, Patio furniture, BBQ equipment, Lighting, Tools, and Appliances. But also plenty of building materials, including paving, concrete, wood, and carpeting.

So, What About Your Age?

Getting an entry-level position at Home Depot has different age requirements. This is because the minimum age requirement will vary by State. In certain States, you will be able to work at 16, but in others, the minimum age requirement is 18.

Can You Work Part-Time at Home Depot at 15?

The minimum age that you can work at Home Depot is 16; therefore, if you are 15, then you can’t apply just yet.

But 16 is ok?

In some places, it is. As I say, depending on the minimum age requirements of the State in question.

Let’s take a quick look at what positions are available and the age requirements for each. If you are unsure about the minimum age regulations of Home Depot near where you live? It is best if you check directly with the store.

Let look at the full-time positions first; these are all paid hourly.

Store Support or Lot Associate

Minimum Age 18 ( but 16 in some states)

As a Store Support or Lot Associate, you will be responsible for a number of operations that occur at the store to ensure that it operates efficiently. That can include a number of what seem like mundane tasks. But in fact, they are vital to the customer’s perception of the business.

And more importantly, it may even affect whether they come back. These job functions then are vital:-

• Helping Customers Load up Vehicles with Purchases.
• Ensure the entrance to the store is kept free from obstructions and is clean.
• Make sure there are plenty of shopping carts of all sizes at the entrance for customers.
• Ensure fast and friendly service to any customer that may need assistance.

These are positions that will mean you will be spending a lot of time outside. You will work in all sorts of weather conditions, some of which may not be so pleasant.

Customer Service/Sales Associate

Minimum Age 18, but 16 in some areas.

Customer service or Sales Associates cab be seen at various locations in the store. Their role is to provide a friendly, helpful service to customers and also to find out what the customer needs and where to find it. This may also entail taking them to the area and explaining how tools or equipment works, etc.

Therefore, to do the job, you will need sound product knowledge of the items for sale. You will also be expected to discuss the job they are doing at home. By doing so, you may find out that they need extra equipment or materials which they can also buy.

Product training will be given.

Cashier

Minimum Age 18, unless local laws permit you to be 16.

Cashiers play an important role in collecting and processing payments. These can either be by cash, card, or cheque.

Once again, this is a vital position because you are handling payments, some of which will be cash. Therefore accuracy and honesty are required at all times. But you also to make sure that you work as smoothly as possible. There isn’t much worse than going into a store to find you have to wait 15 minutes to checkout and pay for your items.

Returns

You will also have to handle returns for whatever reason. This may take an element of diplomacy with a potentially unhappy customer. Therefore a relaxed personality will help, as will a desire to help the customer.

Here Are Some of The Benefits For Full-time Staff

• Paid sick leave.
• Paid time off.
• Vacation payment.
• Pension Plan.
• Stock Purchase options.
• Performance Bonuses.
• Medical Insurance including Vision and Dental.
• In-house Tuition.

As is common these days, this is a reasonable package of extra benefits for full-time staff.

Home Depot also employs Part-time staff when required. They often fill in for full-time positions, as I have outlined above. They are also paid hourly.

The hourly rate will fluctuate and vary from area to area because of minimum wage regulations in a particular state. However, it is possible to make a basic assessment of what the hourly rate might be, but remember, this can vary from area to area.

Part-Time Store Support/Lot Associate

Depending on any previous experience and location, the hourly rate will be between the minimum wage for that area to approximately $14 per hour. If you are starting without any experience, then it is likely to be about $8-10 per hour. The average pay for this level is $9 per hour.

Part-Time Customer Service/Sales Associate

Most Customer Service employees start out at entry-level rates, which are likely to be close to minimum wage. The hourly rate that usually operates is between $8-20, so there is quite a wide difference.

If you have experience at another customer-oriented company, you will be able to negotiate a little on that figure. The average hourly rate is about $11 per hour, but it can go up to $20 for very experienced people.

Part-Time Cashier

Once again, there will be a certain amount of room for negotiation if you have some experience as a cashier. This will especially apply to working a number of years in a major outlet.

If you are starting as an inexperienced cashier, then the hourly rate is often close to the minimum wage. The rates can vary between $8-15 per hour. The average rate for a part-time cashier is $10 per hour.

Do You Need Experience To Work At Home Depot?

Home Depot is an entry-level friendly company, which means they will employ young people with no experience. However, if you can demonstrate some experience or some product knowledge, that will go in your favor.

Previous Experience

This could be working at a similar outlet where you may have been performing similar functions. Perhaps you might have been there as a ‘Saturday’ job to pay for schooling.

It will all count in your favor and could result in a slightly higher commencing pay grade.

Some Basic Product Knowledge

Perhaps you have always enjoyed helping family and friends out with practical things at home. This may have given you a working knowledge of certain tools and equipment. Or it could have introduced you to building materials and procedures.

Either way, that will be an asset to Home Depot as that is their business. Once again, that could result in a slightly higher commencement rate.

Any experience that you can show, even part-time, will help you at your interview.

The Interview

And while on the subject of interviews. Just because they are an ‘entry-level friendly’ company doesn’t mean you will automatically be offered a position. They rely on customer contact and repeat business. They will therefore be looking at you and seeing if you fit their profile.

Irrespective of the level of your experience, there are some things that you will need to show at the interview. They will expect you to…

• Be clean and well-groomed.
• Have a pleasant and friendly personality.
• Demonstrate a desire to work in an environment where you are helping people.

Dress sense is also something to consider. While this is not a job where you will need to wear a suit, some things still apply. A smart pair of trousers and shoes and a nice shirt will make you look the part.

If this is going to be your first interview, it’s well worth checking out My first interview.: Keys to getting that first job. And a nice shirt for the interview will definitely help; something like the Dockers Men’s Long Sleeve Signature Comfort Flex Shirt should do the trick.

Are You Interested in Finding Out The Minimum Age for Other Great Jobs?

Then find out, How Old do you have to be to Work at Vans, How Old do you have to be to Work at Bath and Body Works, Can Teens Work at a Hotel, and Can Teens Work at a Hospital.

You may also be very interested in finding out How to Become a Teenage Tutor or taking a general look at the Best Jobs for Teens in 2022.

Or, if you want to improve your customer service skills, take a look at what the roles entail in my Customer Service Representative Job Description, my Customer Service Manager Job Description, my Sales Representative Job Description, or my Inside Sales Representative Job Description.

Or, check out these excellent online guides, Amazon’s Customer Service Experience, the Customer Service & Its Significance: Learn And Grow, Surviving Customer Service: Avoid Burnout, Develop Valuable Career Skills, the ManageFirst: Customer Service w/ Answer Sheet, or Customer Service Skills for Success.

Or how about the Powerful Phrases for Effective Customer Service as well as the Customer Service Training 101, both available online.

Final Thoughts

Home Depot are one of these companies that offer opportunities to young people taking their first steps into work. And the pathway to junior and then more senior management roles could be quite quick for those that apply themselves.

The very best of luck with your Home Depot interview.