Working at CVS is certainly a valuable career milestone many love to include in their resume or LinkedIn profile. But, of course, like any company, CVS Pharmacy won’t hire anyone who doesn’t meet their age requirements. That’s what I am going to discuss today!
In this article:
How Old Do You Have To Work At CVS?
You must be at least 16 to get a job opportunity at CVS; for some positions, like those involving wine, alcohol, and tobacco products, you’ll need to be 18. So, starting out at 14 or 15 is not really an option here.
Many entry-level positions are available for people 16 and older, such as sales/beauty care associates and cashiers. Still, if you want to handle alcohol sales at the register, CVS would prefer their applicants to be 21.
Does CVS Require A School Diploma?
Given that CVS hires people as young as 16, a high school diploma might not be immediately necessary for entry-level jobs. For other advanced positions, like plan builder, automation technician, and other senior roles, you need to provide a school diploma and/or other related degrees.
In general, CVS pays more attention to other skills you bring to the table, such as customer service skills or keen attention to detail (we will return to that later). A diploma is just like a bonus point on the resume at the end of the day.
Requirements and Other Crucial Skills You Need To Work At CVS
CVS checks out different skills depending on the job you’re eyeing.
Suppose you want a pharmacist role; you must understand basic terminology and show excellent analytical skills. But if you want to be a shift supervisor, management skills will hold more weight! So before hitting the apply button, you should look through the job descriptions to confirm exactly what skills they’re after.
Still, the 6 general skills below are always valued at CVS regardless of which job you apply for:
1. Communication
Having good communication skills is essential when interacting with both customers and colleagues. Certain roles (like managers, advertisers, and customer service representatives) also require strong writing skills for customer communication via social media or email.
2. Customer Service
At CVS stores, customer satisfaction is the top priority; that’s why the company requires exceptional customer service from all its associates, no matter their role!
Every employee should assist customers with their questions and make sure they can easily find what they need. If you don’t know the answer to a customer’s inquiry, pass it on to someone else who can help.
3. Listening Skills
CVS employees should be good listeners, understanding and following their managers’ instructions to ensure every task is performed excellently and on schedule.
That’s not all; strong listening skills are also important when assisting customers and resolving any problems they might encounter.
4. Organizational Skills
Since CVS employees often have to juggle multiple tasks at once, they must know how to organize their work and decide what needs to be done first to meet deadlines. This skill is particularly important for people in leadership or managerial positions, like head pharmacists or store managers.
5. Bilingualism
Remember that CVS customers speak many languages aside from English. Therefore, the company often looks for employees who speak at least 2 languages for certain roles; some positions even mention bilingual candidates specifically in their job descriptions.
So, if you’re fluent in multiple languages, make sure to showcase this on your CV. Trust me, it can really set you apart from other applicants!
6. Teamwork
As one of the largest pharmacy chains, CVS strives to offer excellent customer service and ensures positive customer interaction. To make that happen, their employees must work as a team.
That means they should be able to communicate effectively with each other and share accurate information. They must also collaborate to solve customer issues and aim for the best outcomes possible.
What Is The Application Process? A Step-By-Step Walkthrough
Step 1.
Begin your journey by exploring different business sections on the CVS Health website. You can research based on job categories, titles, or locations to find the perfect fit.
Step 2.
Once you’ve found a job that suits your skills and previous work experience, hit “Apply Now,” then follow the instructions to complete your application!
You’ll either need to make a new account or sign in to your existing one. That way, you will find it easier to manage your applications and submit them to other jobs if needed. Keep in mind that some positions might include a virtual/online job tryout.
Complete the application from beginning to end, including your past experiences. After you’ve finished, CVS will send a confirmation mail to let you know your application has been successfully submitted.
Step 3.
A CVS recruiter will look into your application; just sign back into your existing account to see its current status!
Note: The timing for this hiring process might vary depending on the number of applicants and qualified candidates.
Step 4.
After you are chosen for the interview, a recruiter will set up an in-person meeting or a phone call. If you leave a strong, positive impression in this meeting, you’ll then have several more interviews with CVS’s hiring manager himself!
Step 5.
Let’s say the interview process was a big success, and you have finally landed the job. The hiring manager or recruiter will contact you to discuss further details about the job offer.
Available CVS Jobs For Teens
1. Cashiers
Responsibilities:
- Handling transactions with precision at the cash register
- Maintaining workspace cleanliness
- Managing shelves
- Addressing customer questions and complaints
Requirements:
- Minimum age: 16
- Can bend, lift heavy loads, and stand for long shifts
- Decent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Basic math for money transactions
- Good organizations skills
- A keen eye for details (for recording transactions and counting money)
2. Sales Associates
Responsibilities:
- Helping customers find products
- Answering questions
- Providing product information
- Opening & closing store activities
Requirements:
- Minimum age: 16
- High school diploma/equivalent
- Can stand long hours and lift/move about 10 lbs (35 lbs for some cases)
- Customer-driven approach
- Fast learner
- Open to feedback
- (Optional) Previous retail/customer service experience
3. Beauty Care Associates
Responsibilities:
- Helping customers find beauty products
- Showcasing makeup techniques
- Educating customers about recent cosmetic trends
Requirements:
- Minimum age: 18
- Sales-oriented approach
- Can stand for hours, kneel, bend, or stoop to upper and lower shelves
- Extensive knowledge of beauty products and brands
- Can work under pressure, whether in a team or solo
- Previous sales experience preferred.
- (Optional) High school diploma/equivalent
- (Optional) Previous experience in sales
See more: CVS Dress Code
Conclusion
My team has covered what age CVS hires and other requirements you need to know; if you’re already 16 and have all the skills and qualifications they’re after, I see no reason not to give it a shot! Send me a message if you need any clarification on this.
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