How to Start a Career at Advance Auto Parts
Are you passionate about cars and looking for a career in the auto industry? Does working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment appeal to you? If so, then joining the team of auto professionals at Advance Auto Parts may be the perfect fit for you!
This guide will cover everything you should know about starting a career at Advance Auto Parts, including the company's history and values, the most common positions, average salaries, and important facts about the application process. By the end, you'll be ready to apply for your dream job at Advance Auto Parts.
What is Advance Auto Parts?
Advance Auto Parts, one of the largest auto parts retailers in the United States, started as a small chain of auto parts stores in the Northeast in 1932. The company has since grown to serve professional installers and do-it-yourselfers across the country. At Advance Auto Parts, you'll find everything you need to keep your car or truck running, from batteries and brakes to engine parts.
Advance Auto Parts is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, and has over 4,687 stores across the United States. In addition, the company operates 127 Worldpac branches and serves approximately 1,250 independent Carquest locations across the country as well as Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Furthermore, the company has roughly 50 distribution center locations offering numerous career options to those looking to work in the auto parts industry. Over 68,000 Advance Auto Parts employees work across the company’s various channels.
Advance Auto Parts is dedicated to providing quality products and services to its customers and supporting the communities in which they operate. The company is a proud sponsor of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and other programs that help develop the next generation of automotive technicians.
An Advance Auto Parts career offers many opportunities for growth and development within the auto parts industry. Whether you're interested in working in a store or a distribution center, this retailer has numerous paths available.
Most common job positions at Advance Auto Parts
One of the biggest advantages of working at Advance Auto Parts is the variety of jobs available. The company offers entry-level positions for those just starting out in the auto parts industry, making it a great place to begin an automotive career.
Common entry-level positions at Advance Auto Parts stores include sales associate, cashier, assistant store manager, delivery driver, and warehouse worker. Let's take a deeper look at each of these.
Sales associate
As an Advance Auto Parts sales associate, you will be responsible for delivering quality customer service and assisting customers with finding the right auto parts for their needs. You'll also stock shelves and help maintain a clean and organized store.
While there are few requirements to become a sales associate, Advance Auto Parts does prefer applicants with knowledge of the auto parts industry and excellent customer service skills. Prior experience working in an auto parts store or distribution center is also helpful.
The average pay for a sales associate at Advance Auto Parts is $10.38 per hour.
Cashier
Another excellent entry-level position at Advance Auto Parts is a cashier. As a cashier, you will be accountable for handling customer transactions, including payments and returns. You'll also be responsible for keeping the front of the store organized.
To become a cashier at Advance Auto Parts, you must have great customer service skills and be able to remain calm in a fast-paced environment. Prior experience working as a cashier is helpful but not essential.
The average pay for a cashier at Advance Auto Parts is $10.00 per hour.
Assistant store manager
If you have some experience working in retail operations or want to take on more responsibility, you may be interested in becoming an assistant store manager. As an assistant store manager, you will be responsible for helping the store manager with daily operations, including opening and closing the store, supervising employees, and handling customer service issues.
While some believe that becoming an assistant store manager requires a college degree, many of these roles are filled through promotion from within. If you start as a cashier or sales associate, you may have the opportunity to eventually move to an assistant store manager position.
The average pay for an assistant store manager at Advance Auto Parts is $14.12 per hour.
Delivery driver
If you're interested in a career in transportation, Advance Auto Parts also has positions available for truck drivers. As a delivery driver, you will be responsible for delivering auto parts to Advance Auto Parts stores and customers.
To become a truck driver at Advance Auto Parts, you must have a valid driver's license and a commercial driver's license (CDL). Some positions may also require Fleet certification. You must be able to lift heavy objects and safely operate large trucks. Some Advance Auto Parts locations offer bonuses for drivers — an additional perk for those in this role.
The average pay for a truck driver at Advance Auto Parts is $9.95 per hour.
Warehouse worker
Advance Auto Parts distribution centers are also a great place to start your career. As a warehouse worker, you will be responsible for picking, packing, and shipping orders. You may also be tasked with receiving and stocking inventory.
To become a warehouse worker at Advance Auto Parts, you must have a flexible schedule that allows for overtime and weekends. You must also be able to lift heavy objects and safely operate warehouse equipment.
The average pay for a warehouse worker at Advance Auto Parts is $14.40 per hour.
Skills needed to land a job at Advance Auto Parts
While most positions at Advance Auto Parts are great for those with minimal experience or entry-level jobs, several specific skills will increase your chances of being hired. These include:
Basic automotive knowledge
As one of the largest automotive parts retailers in the country, Advance Auto Parts has a large selection of merchandise for customers to choose from. To be a successful sales associate or cashier, having basic automotive knowledge will help you answer customer questions and help them find the right parts for their needs.
Customer service skills
No matter what position you're applying for at Advance Auto Parts, excellent customer service skills are a must. You will be interacting with customers on a daily basis, so it's important that you're friendly and helpful. Even if you're just joining the workforce, your experience from school, life events, or volunteer work can help demonstrate your customer service and retail skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Advance Auto Parts is a busy place, so you must be able to work quickly and efficiently. This is especially important for a position like cashier or sales associate, where you will be helping customers in person. Your time management and multitasking skills will be tested in Advance Auto Parts' fast-paced environment.
Good communication skills
Since you will work with customers and other employees on a daily basis, you should have strong communication skills. This means both understanding others and being understood, whether speaking or writing. Good communication skills are important for positions at all levels within Advance Auto Parts.
Ability to lift heavy merchandise
Many company products sold at Advance Auto Parts are heavy, so it's important that employees are able to lift them. This ability is crucial specifically for warehouse positions, where you will be responsible for picking and packing orders. If you have previous experience working in this type of environment, be sure to mention it on your resume or application.
These are just a few of the skills you should strive to have before applying for a job at Advance Auto Parts. However, don't let a lack of them deter you from applying. There are roles at this company that are well-suited for entry-level workers who may not yet have these skills.
Working at Advance Auto Parts can give you valuable experience and knowledge, which can help you in your future career opportunities. No matter what position you're interested in, be sure to research the company and job requirements to ensure it's a good fit for your experience and professional goals.
Advance Auto Parts employee benefits and perks
Knowledge of the employee benefits at Advance Auto Parts is important for anyone considering a career with the company. The company's benefits plan is comprehensive and includes health insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and employee discounts.
Health insurance
This is one of the most valuable benefits for employees at Advance Auto Parts, as having health insurance is helpful for everyone. The company offers a variety of health insurance plans, so employees can choose the one that best suits their needs.
401(k) retirement plan
Advance Auto Parts offers a 401(k) retirement plan to its full-time employees. This plan allows employees to save for retirement while also getting a company match on their contributions. Many people opt for this type of retirement plan, as it helps them prepare for the future.
Employee discounts
Another great benefit of working at Advance Auto Parts is the employee discounts. Employees can enjoy up to a 20% discount on products and services, which can help them save a lot of money.
These are just some of the benefits that employees at Advance Auto Parts can enjoy. The company also offers other perks, such as vacation days and holidays, an employee stock purchase plan, and company-paid basic life insurance. These offerings make working at Advance Auto Parts even more appealing. If you're considering a career at Advance Auto Parts, check out the employee benefits to know what to expect.
How to apply for a job at Advance Auto Parts
While it can be overwhelming to search for a new career, the application process for Advance Auto Parts is relatively simple. You can search for Advance Auto Parts jobs on Jobcase or apply directly through the company website.
Before applying, you should take the time to create a resume crafted for the position you're applying for. This will give you the best chances of getting an interview and being hired. Once you have your resume ready, the next step is to fill out the application.
On the Advance Auto Parts careers search page, you can filter through different positions and locations to find the perfect job for you. Once you've found a position you're interested in, click on the "Apply" button. This will take you to the next page, where you will be asked to upload your resume.
After you've uploaded your resume, you'll be asked to fill out a page with your contact information and work history. Once you've completed this, you'll be able to submit your application.
Once your application has been submitted, it will be reviewed by a hiring manager. If you are picked for an interview, you will be contacted by the Advance Auto Parts HR department. There is usually one interview in the hiring process, but there can also be several, depending on the type of role.
If you make it to this point of the hiring process, the company will typically conduct a background check. This check looks into your criminal history and makes sure that you are eligible to work in the United States. Background checks help keep Advance Auto Parts’ employees and customers safe.
Depending on the location, some Advance Auto Parts stores may require a drug test along with the background check. This is not always the case, but it is something to be aware of before applying for a job at Advance Auto Parts.
The final step of the interview process is usually an offer letter. This letter outlines the terms of your employment, such as your salary, benefits, and start date. If you accept the offer, you will be officially hired as an employee of Advance Auto Parts.
The application process for Advance Auto Parts is straightforward. Taking the time to craft a resume and fill out the application correctly will give you the best odds of getting an interview and being hired.
Tips and tricks to land an Advance Auto Parts career
Applicants often feel nervous or overwhelmed when applying for a job, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances of landing an Advance Auto Parts position.
First and foremost, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the automotive industry. This includes knowing the different types of cars, parts, and tools. If you need to become more familiar with this subject matter, plenty of resources are available online and in libraries to help you learn.
It's also important that you consider your customer service experience. Advance Auto Parts places a high value on customer service, so it's crucial that you have experience dealing with customers in a professional setting. If you're new to the workforce, you can still highlight customer service experiences from other areas of your life.
Another factor to think about is how you would handle working in a fast-paced environment. Advance Auto Parts stores are typically busy, so it's important that you're able to stay calm under pressure. If you have previous experience working in this type of environment, be sure to mention it on your resume.
Last but not least, make sure your resume is relevant to the position you're applying for. This means tailoring it to highlight your experience in the auto or retail industry. You can also include any relevant coursework or certifications you have. If you don't have experience in the auto industry, don't worry. There are positions available at Advance Auto Parts stores that don't require it.
Remember, all of your skills are valuable, and experience can come from many different places. By following these tips, you'll stand out from the other applicants and be more likely to land a new career at this retailer.
Start your new Advance Auto Parts career today
Applying for a job at Advance Auto Parts can be overwhelming. But if you take the time to brush up on your automotive knowledge, consider your customer service experience, and build a relevant resume, you'll stand out from the other applicants. There are numerous positions available at Advance Auto Parts stores, so don't be discouraged if you don't have much experience in the automotive industry.
Visit the Jobcase Getting Hired Resource Center for more tips and tricks on landing your dream job at Advance Auto Parts.