The first thing to do when applying for a job is filing out an application. This is done on line. The two largest supermarket chains in Northern California and Nevada are Save Mart and Safeway. Safeway holds occasional hiring fairs in Santa Clara County, but you must have an application already filled out on line for this. It is at the hiring fair where prospective candidates for employment are prescreened. Be sure to arrive at least two hours early. If the store that you applied for is interested, you are given an interview with the store director ( or whichever manager is hiring) A drug test is required. This is a requirement for both major supermarkets in Northern California. Safeway includes a background check, so a valid ID is required. The supermarket managers are not good about calling people back, so it is a good idea to ask for a business card and to call back about the status of your application.
It is important to dress properly for any interview. A polo or collared shirt, dress shoes and slacks or kakis are required, no shorts. Blouses are permitted for women. No tattoos or body piercings should be visible. Arrive on time or fifteen minutes early to your appointment. Turn off your phone or turn on mute.
There are many different jobs in the grocery industry. The first job is Courtesy Clerk/Service Specialist. Courtesy Clerk is an entry level position. They are responsible for sweeping and cleaning the store, Returning shopping carts from the parking lot, returning products to the self ( go backs) price inquiries, bagging groceries, cleaning the check stands and bagging the customers groceries and helping them out to their car.
Food Clerk/ Checkers: run the check stand and stock shelves with merchandise. Checkers receive payment for groceries, handle cash ,checks, Food stamps and WIC checks. They keep their work area clean. And assist customers.
Produce Clerks: keeps the produce department stocked and rotates the merchandise, trimming, cleaning and preparing products for display.
Office Clerk/Bookkeeper: Duties include check cashing, refunds, lottery sales, money orders, Western Union, Answering the phone, bank receipt deposits, setting up the cash till for the check stands and recordkeeping.
Meat/seafood Clerk ( Butcher block): stocks the meat counter with merchandise, customer service, cleand the meat case and gives the customers request to the butcher.
Liquor Clerk: Keeps the liquor department stocked and orders merchandise. Sets the displays and assists the customers with questions.
Floral Clerk: Cleans and trims flowers, set up the displays, makes floral arrangements and inflates balloons.
Bakery Clerk: set the Displays of baked goods, assists the customer with questions,
Baker: Mixes the dough, scales breead, fries the donuts and operates the oven.
Deli sales Clerk: prepares the deli products.
GM (general merchandise) Clerk: Orders, stocks and displays all non food items. writes orders,l changes the prices,inventory and cleaning.
Be ready to answer questions. Why do you want to work for us? What is your experience? and What are your wavailable hours?. Finally, all grocery stores have a 60 day probationary period upon being hired. It is also a requirement to join the local union. In Santa Clara County this is Ufcw local 5.