Do you wonder: How old do you have to be to work at Dollar General? Perhaps you’ve just left school and are searching for your first job. Dollar General has about 16,000 stores around the United States, making it an excellent option for you.
The entry-level jobs at Dollar General include assistant store manager, sales associate, and lead sales associate. Generally, for all positions, the minimum age at the organization is 18 years. It is usually preferred if the applicant has a GED or a high school diploma, but no standard qualifications are required.
Let’s take a quick peek into what Dollar General is and other details about working at Dollar General.
What is Dollar General?
Dollar General is a retail company that was founded around 1939. The retailer offers name-brand products at low and affordable prices. Everything from food to cleaning products, household appliances, and clothing can be found at Dollar General. The store has over 16,000 stores in around 46 states.
This chain of stores is quite popular because of its excellent prices and the company’s promise to serve others.
The Benefits of Working at Dollar General
One of the welcome benefits of Dollar General employees is the discount on purchases. Employees get a discount of up to 20% off. Other benefits include:
- Life Insurance
- Paid holidays and vacations
- Health, vision, and dental cover
- 401(k) retirement and savings plan
- Parental Leave
- Annual bonuses
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Dollar General?
To work in the store, Dollar General requires that employees be at least 18 years of age. This age limit is because of the sale of tobacco and alcohol in the store.
That said, the store has a flexible and relaxed work atmosphere. This makes the Dollar General work environment an excellent choice for teens looking for a job.
Typical Jobs for Teens at Dollar General
Although Dollar General hires teenagers, applicants must be 18 years and above to apply for the following entry-level or junior positions.
Sales Associate
A sales associate provides customers with friendly assistance in-store. Sales associates also work on the product scanner, collect payments, and bag purchases for the customers.
However, sales associates must also perform tasks that fall under the store’s merchandising process. This includes unpacking, stocking, restocking, rotating products on shelves, and constructing merchandise displays.
They’re also in charge of keeping the store clean, taking out the rubbish, sweeping and washing the floors, and cleaning the washroom.
Lead Sales Associate
The Lead Sales Associate keeps the store safe, healthy, well-organized, and customer satisfaction focused. And they’re also tasked with maintaining maximum store profitability and customer fulfillment while preserving company resources. They’re responsible for overseeing other Sales Associates but may receive similar duties.
To work in this capacity at Dollar General, applicants should be at least of working age and have management or supervisory experience of at least six months.
Assistant Store Manager
The Assistant Store Manager ensures that the store is clean and well-organized, with customer satisfaction at heart. Under the supervision and instruction of the manager, they ensure the supervision of other employees.
Other responsibilities of an assistant store manager include cashiering, stocking, and all other functions that ensure customer satisfaction and profitability. Also, the assistant manager has to ensure the protection of company resources and assets.
Besides the age requirement, an assistant store manager applicant must have a GED or a high school diploma. They also require one year of experience in sales and supervisory work.
The Hiring Process at Dollar General
To apply for a job at Dollar General, you need to submit your resume through the company’s website application system. Then complete the application process, after which you’ll receive a mail to confirm it.
However, if the application meets the requirements, the company will contact the applicant for an interview.
How Much Does Dollar General Pay Its Employees?
18- to 19-year-old employees are usually sales associates, assistant store managers, and lead sales associates. A sales associate at Dollar General should expect an average of $9 an hour. In contrast, lead sales associates start with an average of $10 to $12 per hour.
Meanwhile, an assistant store manager can earn about $30,000 a year. This salary could be negotiable on the grounds of experience.
Conclusion
Federal and state laws regulate the minimum age of employment. They also govern the number of hours teenagers may work during school days and vacations. So, it’s best to do your research to ensure that you meet your state’s minimum age requirements before applying for a job.
Make sure you know as much as possible about Dollar General before attending the interview. This will show the interviewer that you take the initiative and care about working for their company. And remember to show the company respect by dressing presentably in neat, semi-formal, office-appropriate attire.