Why Work Here? With just under 1,100 locations across six southeastern states, Publix boasts the considerable resources of a FORTUNE 500 company and the upstanding reputation of a prominent local employer. The regional grocery store chain maintains stable business operations, opens new locations regularly, and hires area job seekers to fill available entry-level positions featuring real possibilities for career advancement.
Publix considers only internal candidates for nearly all managerial job openings and promotes more than 11,000 associates into PLMs and management careers each year. Workers also enjoy the opportunities to own stakes in the company, as the grocer annually distributes free shares of stock to eligible associates and ranks as the largest employee-owned supermarket chain in the country. In addition to the employee stock ownership program and career growth opportunities, jobs come with competitive pay, diverse and inclusive work environments, and access to various employment benefits. FORTUNE magazine named Publix one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2013 for the 16th consecutive year.
Publix Online Application Process
Job seekers may access the application process online by visiting the company job portal: http://jobs.publix.com/ and follow the instructions below to apply:
Follow the steps below to apply using the Publix site
Entry-Level Publix Jobs:
- For entry-level grocery store jobs, Publix offers an automated application process completed exclusively at in-store kiosks. The kiosks operate under the moniker Job Application Center, frequently shortened to JAC, and usually occupy locations at the front of stores.
- Using JAC, entry-level candidates typically spend about 45 minutes completing the Publix job application, which includes a standard personal information section followed by a questionnaire.
- Applicants provide contact information, job interests, schedule availability, academic backgrounds, and work histories in the personal information section.
- Publix allows job seekers to apply for as many entry-level positions as desired in the job interests portion of the application.
- The questionnaire generally consists of situational questions designed to measure the aptitude of prospective employees.
Management Jobs at Publix:
- Publix also maintains an online application process solely reserved for internal managerial applicants. The regional grocery retailer fills virtually all available management positions by promoting from within.
- Current associates must use the exclusive Registration of Interest process to apply for store management jobs and positions leading to management (PLMs).
- Publix conducts the application process continuously for PLMs and at least twice each year for management positions.
- After meeting the minimum hiring requirements for the desired job, managerial candidates must complete a series of formal assessments online.
- Outside applicants pursuing management careers need to follow the online application process for hourly jobs and, if hired, work full-time for at least six months before receiving hiring consideration for more advanced positions.
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Available Positions
Although Publix restricts non-management job applications to the in-store JAC kiosks, applicants using the automated hiring system encounter more than a dozen available grocery store positions. The supermarket chain allows candidates as young as 14 to apply for bagger, cashier, and floral associate job titles, while other hourly positions carry minimum hiring ages of 16 or 18. Most entry-level jobs involve handling merchandise, cleaning work areas, and serving customers in designated store departments like bakery, deli, meat, and produce. Other popular positions include cleaning and sanitation, demonstrator, and stocking jobs. Each location also requires skilled applicants pursuing baker, cake decorator, meat cutter, and pharmacy technician job titles to use the automated in-store application process. The regional grocery retailer lists available corporate, distribution, manufacturing, and pharmacy jobs online at the Careers page of the company website. Store management careers remain exclusively reserved for current associates.
Job Benefits
To retain a constantly growing workforce of more than 160,000 employees, Publix offers several enticing employment benefits. Upon hire, workers take immediate advantage of competitive hourly wages and yearly salary options, paid on-job training, flexible scheduling, and formal mentoring programs. Eligible associates also gain access to core employment benefits, including healthcare and prescription drug coverage, dental and vision plans, life insurance options, long-term disability plans, and free flu shots. The prominent Southern grocery store extends financial benefits like quarterly and holiday bonuses, 401(k) retirement plans with company match, employee stock ownership plans and purchase programs, tuition reimbursem*nt, and paid time off to qualified workers, as well. Other job benefits include recognition for longtime employees with service awards and career advancement opportunities. Storefronts also conduct annual surveys allowing associates to offer valuable input on a variety of workplace issues.
Helpful Tips for Applying
Before starting the application process, job seekers need to develop familiarity with company hiring procedures. Publix stores generally do not solicit applications for specific job openings and, instead, let candidates apply for any number of commonly available positions. As such, applicants should indicate interest in as many job titles as possible in order to increase chances for employment. To save time, candidates should research and identify positions of interest before initiating the job application process. Job seekers should also prepare notes about previous work experiences, education, skills and hobbies, and references and bring the information when applying at JAC kiosks. The ability to work a variety of shifts often proves helpful as well, as the JAC software evaluates applicants based in large part on schedule availability. Although the automated application process takes about 45 minutes to complete, the grocery store gives users the option to finish the questionnaire within a week. Nervous or unprepared applicants may want to take advantage of the total time allowed rather than hastily completing the online hiring forms and then waiting six months to retake the failed questionnaire assessment.
How to Follow Up After Applying Online
Publix typically only contacts applicants selected to participate in job interviews. Instead of following up repeatedly, candidates should ask to speak with hiring managers before or after submitting the completed application to inquire about specific job openings and express genuine interest in working for the regional grocery store chain. Because each store location features different and frequently changing hiring needs, the job application process essentially gives managers the ability to review pools of applications conveniently when the need to hire arises. The best way for applicants to follow up entails updating the submitted job application every 30 days to remain continuously eligible for hiring consideration.
