Regardless of whether you have any knowledge about auto parts, there is a chance one of the Advance Auto Parts careers can be the right fit for you. Entry-level positions don’t require any knowledge of how vehicles operate or the replacement parts that mechanics or people, in general, come to buy at this retail store.
Working at Advance Auto Parts
Employees who have worked here give Advance Auto Parts average ratings when it comes to categories such as work/life balance, management, working culture, job security, and pay.
Here are some of the pros and cons you will find while working here, according to employees:
Pros
- You get an opportunity to learn quite a bit about vehicles and auto parts
- The working environment is very pleasant and quiet
- Managers are generally very fair and flexible
- Many employees say their coworkers are a pleasure to work with
- Good employee discounts
- A part-time job here is perfect for college students
- Hard workers find it easy to advance within the company
Cons
- The starting pay is way too low
- Some employees complain they don’t get enough work hours every week
- There are a few complaints about stores being understaffed
- Employee turnover rate is too high
- Weekly schedules are sometimes unpredictable
Is Advance Auto Parts Hiring in your area?
There’s a great chance you can find a store hiring in your neighborhood for different positions. Keep in mind there are many different types of jobs available in this company, from store jobs to corporate positions.
To see if there are jobs available right now, all you have to do is use this link to scroll down to the official careers website.
Jobs at Advance Auto Parts
There are a few basic positions available in just about every Advance Auto Parts. Some of these jobs have different names when they are advertised.
Here are the basic positions offered:
- Sales associate
- Delivery driver
- Retail and commercial parts pro
- Assistant manager
- General manager
Advance Auto Parts also has careers available in corporate, professional, supply chain, WORLDPAC, and Autopart International.
Advance Auto Parts Sales Associate
This is an entry-level position that helps you get your foot in the door of this company regardless of whether you know anything about auto parts. You’ll quickly learn how to use the point of sale system (POS) to ring up customer purchases.
Additionally, you’ll be helping customers by installing their batteries and wiper blades, among other duties you will learn while on the job.
For this position, the requirements are that you write and speak English and that you’re able to communicate effectively. You’ll also need basic math skills and you have to be available to work a flexible schedule.
Advance Auto Parts Retail Parts Pro
This is a position where some stores use the term commercial parts pro for this job, as well. If you’re working under the title of retail or commercial parts pro, you will be the one assisting your general manager to lead your team of employees utilizing company strategies in order to maximize profitability for your store.
You will be expected to maintain relationships with retail and commercial customers, using your experience and knowledge to ensure customers are satisfied.
A retail parts pro employee has to be very knowledgeable and talented but at the same time, needs to roll up his or her sleeves to perform duties that even a sales associate would do on a daily basis.
This is a job that prepares you to be an assistant manager, then a general manager. Therefore, by putting forth the maximum effort, you can place yourself in the best spot to advance within the company.
Advance Auto Parts Delivery Driver
This is also an entry-level position available for just about anyone with a good driving record and the motivation to be a team player.
Your primary job in this position is to deliver parts to the store’s commercial customers under the guidance of your retail or commercial parts pro. You will also have to develop the ability to be able to stock and pick out the correct auto parts for your customers’ orders.
Other duties include cleaning the floors, the bathrooms, and maintaining cleanliness in the exterior parts of the building.
Advance Auto Parts Assistant Manager
As an assistant manager, you will assume many of the duties of your general manager. You will analyze profit and loss statements and you’ll manage your associates as they help customers install batteries, windshield wipers, and any other service associates can provide.
This job also comes with the task of handling customer complaints, so a candidate for this position has to have excellent problem-solving end people skills.
The ideal candidate for assistant manager has extensive knowledge about auto parts and automotive systems.
The minimum requirements are a high school diploma or a GED and a bachelor’s degree, preferably in business or a related field.
Advance Auto Parts General Manager
A general manager at Advance Auto Parts must be truly committed to the company in order to be successful. This job requires approximately 50 to 60 hours of work every week and this includes some nights and some weekends.
In this job, you will be the one who hires and develops your associates. You’ll be working with your retail parts pro and other team members in your store to establish relationships with customers and keep them satisfied with your store’s parts and service.
There are so many other duties associated with his job and the list is far too long for the purpose of this article. If you’re interested in a general manager position at this company, search the jobs available in your area using the official careers website.
Once there, you can get a detailed explanation of everything that is expected of you. The minimum requirements for this position are the same as an assistant manager.
Advance Auto Parts Warehouse Careers
This company has many warehouse careers in the following locations:
- Austin, TX
- South Brunswick Township, NJ
- Houston, TX
- Las Vegas, NV
- Norton, MA
- Flower Mound, TX
- Salina, KS
- Schaumburg, IL
- La Vergne, TN
- Marshfield, WI
- Thomson, GA
- Romeoville, IL
- Raleigh, NC
- Brunswick, 0H
The types of jobs you’ll find at these warehouses include the following; warehouse associate, delivery driver, branch operations lead, warehouse supervisor, assistant manager, general manager, and many more.
Corporate Careers
Advance Auto Parts also features many corporate careers in the following cities and states:
- Newark, CA
- Boise, ID
- Cleveland, 0H
- Washington, DC
- Houston, TX
- Chicago, IL
- Albuquerque, NM
- Greensboro, NC
- Charlotte, NC
- Roanoke, VA
- Atlanta, GA
- Raleigh, NC
- Bayamón, PR
There is also a corporate office in Hyderabad, Telangana, which is a city in India.
In these corporate offices, you’ll find careers such as; instructional designer, accounting analyst, training specialist, HR service operator, recruiting coordinator, inventory planner, data scientist, pricing analyst, and many more.
Internships
Advance Auto Parts offers an excellent internship program where undergraduate students can get paid to receive hands-on training in an intensive 10-week program.
The following cities have paid internship programs:
- Auburn, AL
- Chicago, IL
- Raleigh, NC
- Bloomington, MN
- Cleveland, 0H
- Knoxville, TN
- Huntington, WV
- Columbia, SC
- Roanoke, VA
- Willimantic, CT
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- New Brunswick, NJ
While taking a look at the recent listings posted, there are internships available at many of the above locations and they run from May 24 through July 30, 2021. It is important to apply 1 to 2 months beforehand to make sure you can take advantage of these opportunities.
How to Apply at Advance Auto Parts
To apply, you have to go online and fill out and submit a job application. Here are the simple steps you can take:
- Visit the official Advance Auto Parts careers website.
- Take some time to look through the website so you can become acquainted with how this company operates.
- When you are ready to find a job scroll down to the main page where it says “Featured Careers” and click the type of job you would like to explore.
- On the next page, find a location nearest you and click on it so you can get a look at all the jobs currently available in your area.
- Click on your preferred listing, read the job description and if you are interested, click the “Apply” button.
- On the next page, you can create your free account and begin the Advance Auto Parts job application process.
Advance Auto Parts Hiring Process
After you apply online, the hiring manager will call you within the first week. Employees who have already gone through the process say that sometimes it only takes 1 to 2 days to receive a callback.
You’ll be asked to come to the store for an interview with an assistant manager or manager. During the interview, you will be asked basic questions.
If you are applying for an entry-level job and you don’t have any experience with auto parts, don’t sweat it. The questions will not be geared towards having any type of expertise.
For other positions such as retail parts pro and managerial jobs, you can expect to have one or two interviews. During the interviews, you will probably be asked specific questions regarding your expertise with auto parts.
Past and present employees who have applied to Advance Auto Parts say the hiring process takes 1 to 2 weeks, on average, after you submit your application online.
Advance Auto Parts Hiring Age
You must be at least 18 years old to work at Advance Auto Parts. The work is very challenging because you have a customer base that is sometimes frustrated because they need desperately to fix their vehicles.
A 16 or 17-year-old is oftentimes not equipped with the maturity level necessary to provide the exceptional customer service expected. Aside from that, there is too much danger and liability when working with auto parts.
Does Advance Auto Parts drug test?
Some locations do drug test their new hires and some do not. This all depends on how your management team conducts its hiring process.
If you’re applying for jobs such as delivery drivers, parts pro, or any managerial position, you can count on having a drug test as a condition of your employment.
Does Advance Auto Parts hire felons?
This company believes in giving people second chances. Therefore, it does hire felons who have been convicted of crimes that this company does not feel will affect their employment whatsoever.
If you have a recent felony conviction, it’s going to depend on the store’s location and the management team to make the decision. The best thing you can do is be honest and straightforward with them.
History of Advance Auto Parts
In 1932, Arthur Taubman bought a handful of auto and home supply stores located in Roanoke, VA. These stores were called “Advance Stores” and they sold everything from toys to appliances and different types of merchandise.
Taubman’s son, Nick, changed the direction of the stores in the 1970s and 1980s into an automotive parts specialty retail chain. By 2001, the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and started to be publicly traded.
Since then, it has expanded into over 5,100 stores across the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the Virgin Islands. It also employs more than 70,000 team members.
Benefits
Salaried employees can begin enjoying company benefits after their first 30 days of work. Full-time employees must work at least 90 days to qualify for company benefits.
Here’s an example of the types of benefits you will receive at this company:
- Medical, dental, and vision
- Prescription drugs
- Life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability
- 401(k) with a company match
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Paid sick and vacation time
- Holiday, jury duty, and bereavement pay
- Military leave
- Paid maternity leave
- Store discounts
- Exclusive discounts through their online resource called PerkSpot
Final Thoughts
Advance Auto Parts is competitive with AutoZone in that it offers roughly the same type of pay and salary structure. Both companies get just about the same types of reviews from their employees.
Younger workers will find a career here at the entry-level as a solid choice to begin earning a paycheck and gaining experience in customer service. Middle-aged workers can also find steady employment, especially those that have some type of knowledge of auto parts or vehicle repair.
If you’re someone simply looking for a well-paying entry-level retail job, this is probably not going to be your first choice. You’ll find it very difficult to pay your bills and keep a decent standard of living while working here and making somewhere near $9 an hour to start.
This is a company that hires quality people so they can train them for success at a higher-level position, so the pay is not going to be enough at the beginning for many workers. There are many other retail companies to consider that pay far higher salaries such as Target, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, or Costco.
Where this company excels is in hiring younger workers who are motivated and want to climb up the ladder of success within the company. In that case, this company is a great choice if you’re looking to chase after some type of management career.
