Few brands are better known in Australia than Coles, and they are one of the biggest employers in the country.
If you’re looking for work at one of their many stores or somewhere within their corporate structure then you might be wondering, is it hard to get a job at Coles?
It is not too difficult to get a job at Coles, depending on the role that you are looking for. The jobs that are easiest to apply to, with the fewest prerequisites and necessary qualifications/experience, are usually as part of the in-store retail team.
What Is Coles?
Before we talk about what it’s like to apply for a job with the company, we should first go over who they are and what they’re all about.
Coles supermarkets are a subsidiary of the Coles Group, which is the second largest retailer in Australia – just behind their biggest rival, Woolworths.
The company was founded in Collingwood, Victoria in 1914 and was known by the name “Coles Myer Ltd.” until 2006. In 2018, it was listed as an independent public company in the form that it is known today.
Their operations are primarily focused on food, groceries, liquor, and petrol, which they sell from a number of different divisions and subsidiaries. Under the Coles umbrella, you will probably recognize:
- Coles Supermarkets
- Coles Online
- Coles Liquor (Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, First Choice Liquor)
- Coles Express
- Coles Financial Services
- flybuys
With so many different branches coming off the Coles tree, it should come as no surprise that they are a big employer across Australia, and even internationally, and there are many different job roles available within the company.
How Difficult Is It To Find Work At Coles?
Actually getting a job with the Coles Group is not too complicated, although it really does depend on the role that you are looking for.
The main barriers when applying will always be availability and the level of experience and qualifications that you have, and some positions have very different requirements than others. Generally, the easiest job to get at Coles would be in the retail team at one of their retail stores – like Coles Supermarkets or Coles Liquor.
However, there are often openings all the way up the seniority chain within the company, for all kinds of roles, but each one will have its own requirements that you might need to meet if your application is going to be successful.
Coles also offers a Store Support Centre Graduate Program for people who have just finished higher education and are looking to get into a corporate position within the company.
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How Do You Get A Job At Coles?
If you’re hoping to find work with Coles, then the best way to apply is usually online. You can search for “Coles job” plus your location to find the stores near you that are looking for new employees, and then simply send in your application. The process is pretty straightforward from there.
- Submit your application. When you apply, you will usually need to submit your CV and a cover letter, along with personal information and contact details.
- Take a personality assessment. This is a very short assessment that only takes around two minutes, to see whether you would be fit for the role.
- Your application is reviewed. Your application will be compared with all of the others who apply, and then they will decide who will be eligible for the next stage.
- Go for an interview. If your application is successful, then the next step will generally be an in-person interview. These can be face-to-face in a group or on video.
- Undergo a Working Rights Check. Coles will verify your documents to make sure you have the right to work, and they will do driving and police checks for CSA roles.
- Wait to hear back. Once all the candidates have been interviewed, you just have to wait for Coles to decide who they want to hire. If you’re not successful, you’ll be put back into the candidate pool for when another job comes up.
You can also go directly to the Coles Careers website to look for job openings or submit an Expression of Interest to show that you are looking for work – even if you haven’t found a specific role to apply to.
What Is An Expression of Interest?
This is basically a form that lets Coles know you are interested and puts you on an internal waiting list for when work does come up.
You give them your personal information, job preferences, and availability, then they will let you know when a suitable job opening becomes available. It’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss the right job without having to search the website or local listings every day.
The more information you give, the better Coles will be able to match you with potential work to apply for.
How To Stand Out
There are a few things you can do that might make your application for a job at Coles stand out from the crowd.
- Apply when they are busy or need new staff. New stores opening will be hiring a lot of candidates at once, and busy periods (like the lead-up to Christmas) generally mean that they will be on the lookout for new talent.
- Be flexible. Most of the entry-level jobs at a Coles store will be shift work, and some stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The more flexible you can be with the hours you can work, the more attractive you are as a prospect.
- Show your expertise and enthusiasm. Make sure that you demonstrate knowledge, skills, and a positive attitude in your cover letter when you first apply, and especially during your interview. Read up on safety rules and regulations, particularly if you are applying to work in a specific area (like the bakery or butcher section).
- Apply early. Get your applications in as soon as you can, so that you appear at the top of the pile and don’t miss out on the first round of interviews.
- Talk to someone you know. Having a relationship with someone who already works at Coles can be particularly beneficial, as a lot of managers will hire workers based on personal recommendations.
What Jobs Can You Get At Coles?
Besides being a member of the retail team at Coles, there are two main areas that you might apply to: retail leadership and the Store Support Centre (which is for their corporate roles).
These jobs generally have better pay and more responsibilities and usually require more specific experience and/or qualifications to apply.
Retail leadership roles include:
- Store ; Site Managers
- Multi Site ; Regional Managers
- Department ; Team Managers
- Distribution Centre Leaders
- Bakers
It’s often easier to apply for retail leadership if you are already working for Coles, but it is not a necessity.
The process is pretty similar to applying for a job in the retail team, but you will have to show more specific experience and demonstrate why you are suitable for the position.
When it comes to corporate jobs, there are all kinds of options available, and they are the hardest to apply for and successfully get a position in.
There are usually multiple interview stages where you meet different members of the team, as well as an assessment task that you need to carry out to prove your skills and knowledge.
There will also be onboarding activities to get you settled if you’re offered the job.
Coles Careers FAQs
How Long Does It Take For Coles To Get Back To You After An Interview?
Once you’ve had your interview, you will be waiting around a bit before you get an answer. It usually takes between 1 and 2 weeks for the company to get back to you with whether or not you are going to be offered the job.
How Many People Work At Coles?
Currently, Coles employs more than 120,000 people across its various divisions and subsidiaries, with most of these working as members of the retail teams in individual locations.
What Should I Wear To A Coles Interview?
The dress code at Coles is not too strict, but you do want to be presentable. A plain shirt and jeans are completely acceptable for a retail team position – although it might be better to dress more formally if you are applying for a corporate role.
Does Coles Pay For Your Uniform?
You may need to buy protective clothing or a uniform to work at Coles, but they will reimburse you for the cost of this as well as the cost of any replacement that you need due to normal wear and tear.
Summary
So, is it hard to get a job at Coles? Not particularly! The process for applying for work is pretty straightforward and reasonable, and they generally have a lot of different jobs available.
The jobs that are easiest to apply for without specific experience or qualifications are within the retail team, as it can be more difficult to get a retail leadership position.
The most challenging roles to apply for are in the corporate offices of the Store Support Centre, which does have a graduate scheme as well.