Costco flooded with applications

Just a couple of days after opening applications for a new Fort Oglethorpe store, Costco Wholesale officials told local leaders they already had 1,100 applicants.

Fort Oglethorpe Mayor Ronnie Cobb said the warehouse club, which opened online applications last week, is expecting between 6,000 and 8,000 applicants for the initial hiring phase.

"Times are hard," Cobb said. "There's a lot of people hurting right now who would jump in a minute to get one of the Costco jobs."

The club, scheduled to open on Cloud Springs Road in Catoosa County on Oct. 29, initially will employ between 150 and 200 people, according to company spokesmen.

Attempts to reach a regional Costco spokesman were unsuccessful Monday.

Cobb said the company agreed to hire Catoosa County residents first when possible.

The online application says Costco offers the "best compensation and benefits package in the industry." The lowest starting wage will be $11 an hour with the average hourly pay around $19, officials have said. An up-and-running Costco employs about 300 workers, with about 60 percent of those full time.

The application says the company is looking for "high energy" employees with "positive attitudes." It asks a series of basic biographical questions about the applicant, including whether the potential employee would consent to a background check and drug screening.

It asks what type of equipment the applicant knows how to operate before asking them to respond to several scenarios about customer service, handling money and following directions from managers.

In terms of specific positions, the application mentions delivery drivers, photo lab, food court, tire shop, bakery, meat department, cashiers and stocking. Costco's online form asks applicants what they expect to make starting out: Up to $10, $10.01-$14.99 and $15 or more.

Other job ads online indicate the company is looking for a licensed hearing aid dispenser and audiologist.

A marketing company called Daymon Interactions that claims to be a contractor for Costco also has posted an ad searching for a food events manager for the Fort Oglethorpe store. The pay range for that job is listed at $35,000 to $39,000.

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