How Can One Get a Job at Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, etc. Distribution Centres, or any DC for that matter?

thriftysach on 29/05/2020 - 17:28
Last edited 29/05/2020 - 17:29

So I work at Maccas, because it was pretty much the only place that I got an interview from after losing my $29ph Mon-Sat/$42 Sunday Casual retail job eue to Corona.

I was in a discussion with someone and they told me that It is wise to look into working at DCs, especially those of Woolies and Coles.

I went onto WOW careers and Coles Careers and cannot seem to find any openings in my area. I have also heard some agencies put people in those jobs.

I am looking for roles that do not require a forklift license and also wondering whether such a thing exists.

About my experience; 2months in my first retail job, 1 month at maccas. So not too experienced at all. I am a full time uni student who is starting his 2.5months semester break soon, so plenty of time to work.

Thanks.

Education & Work

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2020 - 17:58

    Through an agency, you need basically 24/7 availability, you wouldnt last long or like it

    • thriftysach on 29/05/2020 - 18:17

      I am not really looking to last long, just want to get through this extended uni break and earn some extra cash.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2020 - 18:38
        -2

        You wouldnt make it past lunchtime day 1, just facts

  • sauce2k6 on 29/05/2020 - 18:55
    -1

    Coles warehouse is going automatic in a few years plus with all supermarkets going crazy previously it's now quiet a little in the warehouses so probably hard to find a job there anyway

    • TheAccountant on 29/05/2020 - 20:24
      +1

      You can't automate a lot of the DC jobs. Plus we're moving towards the era of delivery as more people have become accustomed to due to covid so you'll always need humans to pick and pack the smaller and delicate items.

    • SydStrand on 29/05/2020 - 22:14
      +4

      Coles warehouse is going automatic in a few years

      Even Amazon, which is LIGHTYEARS ahead of Coles in scale and sophistication is hardly automated. It still hires tens of thousands of human pickers, stockists, etc. Any business which deals with perishable and easily-spoiled goods, like a supermarket, even moreso.

  • DaDollarz on 29/05/2020 - 19:10
    +4

    It's a full time job finding a full time job.
    In my personal experience you'll apply for 10 jobs to get 1 response…this was pre-COVID. You just have to apply for everything.

    I'm not sure if call centres have been affected by COVID-19 but it is quite easy to get a job at one.

    • thriftysach on 29/05/2020 - 19:36
      +1

      Post-covid, I applied to over 200 places. Was pretty much willing to travel anywhere in a 30km radius. I got responses but it was all saying you are unsuccessful.

      Can you recommend me any call centres? I am not familiar with any agencies or companies.

  • TheAccountant on 29/05/2020 - 20:21
    +6

    I used to work in a Woolworths DC. Applied through WOW Careers, had a group interview with about 40 others (only 15 or so got through), did a physical exam and drug test and was good to go.

    Money was good. I worked 11:30am - 7:30pm. About $35ph and $45ph on weekends so I was clearing about $1200 as a 22 year old. Food at the on site canteen was cheap af (about $6) and had heaps of healthy options so I always bought lunch and dinner there. Brekkie was always 6 weetbix and fresh fruit which was subsidised by the 7% staff discount. Was able to save heaps.

    Anyways, I left as after a while the job satisfaction just isn't there. You get bored of the headset going off in your ear day after day. I ended up going to uni while living off my savings from the job for about 2.5 years while I completed my degree. I ended up stacking shelves at Woolies for a bit when covid hit and I'm now looking at accounting internships.

    Long story short, if anyone is looking for an accounting intern, hit me up.

    • thriftysach on 29/05/2020 - 20:51
      +2

      Thanks for shedding light on the job experience mate!

      • TheAccountant on 29/05/2020 - 21:07
        +4

        I've worked at both Woolworths and Coles DCs, as well as stores. My personal experience, especially in the DC, is that Woolworths treats their employees much better than Coles does and it shows in their behaviour at work and to their colleagues.

        At Woolies we used to have a more friendly relationship with other team members - catching up for drinks after work, getting there early to get lunch together, sitting around after shifts for a laugh. At Coles, it's like no one wanted to be there and couldn't wait to leave. Could be due to the fact that at least back then, at the DCs I was at, Woolies only hired directly and had a rough pathway to becoming part or full-time while Coles used a majority of labour hire agencies with no way to become permanent so they just didn't care. I found the attitudes similar in the stores as well but I only worked at either of their stores for short periods so never gave it much thought.

        Anyways my recommendation is if you want to make quick money while you decide what you want to do for the rest of your life, DC work is great. And if you can, get into Woolies rather than Coles.

    • Cave Fire on 29/05/2020 - 23:05

      Ok.. I remember getting paid up to $27 when I worked there in Brisbane 2012 and I think that was after probation… There was a 25% loading for sat sun to maybe $31…? But yeah, aside from that, it's not a "chill" job. If you pick the recommended rate, it's pretty draining long term. I also cheaped out on shoes (volleys lol). But yeah, I guess if you can manage strong physical work and your rest etc it could be a long term thing.

      • thriftysach on 30/05/2020 - 00:48

        My previous job was very physical. I worked in the back docks of a store, day started receiving fridges, washing machines, other misc heavy electronics. I had to transport those along with another guy. Also had to work with a lot of people doing community service, most of them were bludgers and weren't easy to work with.

        • Cave Fire on 30/05/2020 - 17:16
          +1

          Ok, Manpower was the big agency when I was there. So you can look for ads on their website with logistics and the suburb of the centre. They should have seek ads with different agencies by now. Updating your wowcareers might help too. I applied close to ten times before getting through.

          • SlavOz on 04/06/2020 - 00:54

            @Cave Fire: Yeah Manpower is great. They were basically my only employer off and on throughout Uni days.

            If you're interested in DC or factory work, don't go to the supermarkets. It's way too dystopian. Taking commands from an automated robot all day, while you're constantly watched and timed down to the last second for your lunch break or bathroom break. It sucks if you only want something casual.

            Stick to the smaller places, or traditional load/unload container jobs.

  • krakenn on 29/05/2020 - 20:47
    +6

    What city are you in? I currently work in one of Woolworths major DC's and they hire every 3-6 months roughly. They almost exclusively hire through labor hire agencies now. Making over 100K is suprisingly easy if you are willing to do overtime.

    • thriftysach on 29/05/2020 - 20:49

      Sydney and im pretty close to places like Smeaton Grange and Eastern Creek where I think most DCs are.

    • jackthefrost on 31/05/2020 - 12:57
      +2

      I hear Coles is giving their new casuals only 3 or 4 hour shifts, it's hardly worthwhile.

    • Astute on 29/06/2020 - 21:09

      @krakenn iam in sydney can you help me with some tips to get a job at supermarket

  • screensaver on 30/05/2020 - 00:13
    +1

    sometimes a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush, so look after the job you have now. The suoermarket jobs were given to qantas etc

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