How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Petco?
To secure a job at Petco as a guest experience specialist, grooming apprentice, or Vetco customer service representative, the minimum age requirement is typically 18 years old. Petco also prefers candidates who have completed their high school diploma or GED.
Teen Jobs at Petco and Age Requirements
Job Description: Guest Experience Specialist at Petco
Petco is seeking enthusiastic individuals who are both animal lovers and people persons to join their team as a Guest Experience Specialist (Sales Associate). In this role, you will be responsible for providing an exceptional in-store experience for pets and their parents while achieving sales targets.
Your duties will include helping customers select merchandise that meets their needs, providing information about the health, welfare, and proper handling of animals, and performing cashier duties and other assigned tasks. You will be expected to provide prompt and courteous service to customers by using your product knowledge to suggest appropriate merchandise, as well as signing up customers for the Pals Rewards program.
You will also be responsible for maintaining the store’s animals, including birds, reptiles, fish, and other pets, by ensuring their habitats are clean, safe, and secure. You will take steps to ensure their good health and alert store leaders if they need medical attention.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a passion for animals and customer service to be considered for the Guest Experience Specialist role at Petco.
Vetco Customer Service Rep. (Hourly)
Hourly Job at Vetco as a Customer Service Representative
Vetco, Petco’s in-house clinic, provides professional expertise for common pet health problems and preventative care services. The clinic operates as a pop-up, with vets coming to the store with vaccines and medication to take care of the pets they see.
As a customer service representative at Vetco, you will be responsible for responding to inquiries from both internal and external customers, streamlining workflows, providing feedback on processes and procedures, and resolving customer issues. You will also manage customer records efficiently, help call center agents resolve customer issues, and enhance the overall customer experience.
To work as a Vetco customer service representative at Petco, you must be at least 18 years old.
Grooming Apprentice (Hourly)
Join Petco’s team as a guest experience specialist and provide top-notch customer service to pets and their owners. As a sales associate, you will be responsible for helping customers select merchandise, providing product knowledge, and completing register transactions while achieving sales goals. In addition, you will take care of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish in the store by maintaining clean and secure habitats, ensuring good health, and alerting store leaders if they require medical attention.
To qualify for the position, you must be at least 18 years old and passionate about animals and customer service.
Vetco Customer Service Rep. (Hourly)
Petco’s Vetco clinics offer professional expertise, vaccines, and preventative care services for healthy cats and dogs. As a customer service representative at Vetco, you will respond to inquiries for both internal and external customers, streamline workflow, provide feedback for processes and procedures, and resolve customer issues. Additionally, you will manage customer records and act as a resource for call center agents to enhance the overall customer experience.
To be a Vetco customer service representative at Petco, you must be at least 18 years old.
Grooming Apprentice (Hourly)
The Grooming Apprentice role is ideal for those looking to pursue a career as a pet stylist. In this position, you will provide basic salon services, excellent customer service, and perform administrative tasks. This position prepares you for the role of Petco Pet Stylist, teaching you the skills required for professional pet styling.
To qualify for this role, you must be at least 18 years old.
Petco Age Requirements
Please note that you must be at least 18 years old to work at Petco. Unfortunately, 15 and 16-year-olds are ineligible for employment at Petco. However, we have dedicated pages on our website for 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds that offer alternative employment options.
Part-Time Hourly Pay at Petco
The hourly pay for part-time workers at Petco varies based on state and city minimum wage laws. However, we can provide a general idea of what the hourly pay is for each position.
Guest Experience Specialist (Hourly)
As a Guest Experience Specialist at Petco, you can expect to make between minimum wage and $12 per hour, depending on your experience. If this is your first job, you will likely start at the lower end of the range.
The average hourly rate for a Petco Guest Experience Specialist is $9.
Vetco Customer Service Representative (Hourly)
Vetco Customer Service Representatives can expect to earn between $8 and $21 an hour, depending on their prior work experience. Negotiation is possible if you have previous experience and are looking for an hourly pay rate higher than minimum wage.
The average hourly rate for a Vetco Customer Service Representative is $10.
Grooming Apprentice (Hourly)
Petco pays grooming apprentices between $8 and $13 an hour, with those without prior animal experience typically starting at the lower end of the range. The average hourly rate for a grooming apprentice is $9.
Experience Requirements for Working at Petco
Petco is an entry-level friendly company, meaning you don’t need any prior work experience to land a job there. However, it’s preferred that applicants have a high school diploma or GED.
What to Wear to a Petco Job Interview
When attending a job interview at Petco, it’s recommended to dress in business casual attire. Opt for a buttoned-down shirt with nice slacks and dress shoes instead of overly casual t-shirts and jeans.
Petco Interview Tips
During a Petco job interview, you will likely be asked a variety of questions, but some are more common than others. Here are some frequently asked questions and tips on how to answer them:
- What animal experience do you have?
This is an important question since working with animals is a crucial part of the job. You can talk about any relevant experience, whether it’s from a traditional job, pet-sitting, or volunteering at an animal shelter. Be sure to highlight any skills you’ve acquired, such as handling different types of animals or administering medication.
- Are you available to work weekends, nights, or holidays?
Petco is open late and on weekends and holidays, so flexibility in scheduling is essential. Let the interviewer know what days and times you’re available to work, and emphasize your willingness to work around their needs. Keep in mind that having some availability on weekends and holidays will increase your chances of getting hired.
- Why do you want to work at Petco?
This is a common question in job interviews, and it’s a chance for you to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the company. You can talk about your love for animals, your interest in the pet industry, or your desire to provide excellent customer service. Do your research on Petco beforehand so you can tailor your answer to their values and mission.
- What are your strengths/weaknesses?
When discussing your strengths, focus on traits that will be relevant to the job, such as attention to detail, communication skills, or ability to work in a team. For weaknesses, be honest but also demonstrate how you’re working to improve. For example, if you struggle with time management, you could talk about techniques you use to stay organized.
- Do you have any questions for us?
This is your chance to show your interest in the job and the company. Ask questions about the job duties, the work environment, or opportunities for growth and advancement. This is also a good time to ask about Petco’s values and mission to show that you’re a good fit for the company culture.
Petco Job Interview: Strengths and Weaknesses
During a job interview at Petco, the manager may ask you about your strengths and weaknesses. This question is aimed at assessing your potential contributions to the team and evaluating how you handle challenging situations. Here are some tips on how to answer this question:
Strengths:
Highlight your skills and experiences that align with the job requirements. You can mention your ability to communicate well, your strong work ethic, your positive attitude, and your customer service skills. Additionally, emphasize your reliability and commitment to showing up for your shifts on time.
If you have a specific interest in a long-term career with Petco, let them know. This will show that you are dedicated to growing within the company and can be an asset to the team.
Weaknesses:
It’s important to be honest about your weaknesses. However, you should also focus on how you’re working on improving them. For example, if you struggle with time management, explain that you have been working on creating a daily schedule and prioritizing your tasks to become more efficient.
If you have a specific plan to improve your weaknesses, it can demonstrate your self-awareness and willingness to learn and grow as an employee. Overall, be confident and positive in your responses and use this opportunity to showcase your potential contributions to the team.
Benefits of Working at Petco
Petco offers a range of benefits to its full-time employees. In addition to a discount on merchandise, these benefits may include:
- Paid time off and sick leave: Employees are eligible for paid time off and paid sick days, which can be used for vacation, personal time, or illness.
- Flexible spending accounts: Petco offers flexible spending accounts, which allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible health care expenses and dependent care expenses.
- 401K with a company match: Employees can save for their retirement with a 401K plan that includes a company match.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Full-time employees can take advantage of Petco’s medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
- Cell phone plan discounts: Petco provides discounts on cell phone plans for its employees.
