Do You Need Experience to Work at Kmart?
Complete Guide 2025
Kmart is one of Australia’s largest discount department store chains and a popular employer for people seeking retail work. If you’re considering applying to Kmart but don’t have previous work experience, you’re probably wondering whether you’re eligible and what your chances are of getting hired.
This comprehensive guide answers whether you need experience to work at Kmart, explains what positions are available for inexperienced workers, outlines what Kmart looks for instead of experience, and provides everything you need to know about successfully applying to Kmart without prior work history.
Quick Answer: Do You Need Experience to Work at Kmart?
No, you do not need previous work experience to work at Kmart. Kmart regularly hires people with no work experience for entry-level positions and provides comprehensive training to all new team members.
Key Points:
- Entry-level positions: No experience required
- Training provided: Comprehensive on-the-job training for all new hires
- First job friendly: Kmart is an excellent first job option
- What matters more: Attitude, availability, and willingness to learn
- Some positions: May prefer or require experience (management, specialized roles)
Kmart Positions That Don’t Require Experience
Entry-Level Positions (No Experience Required)
Retail Sales Assistant: Helping customers, restocking shelves, maintaining store presentation, operating cash registers. This is the most common entry-level position.
Cashier/Checkout Operator: Processing customer transactions, handling cash and cards, providing customer service at registers.
Stock Team Member: Receiving deliveries, unpacking stock, restocking shelves, organizing stockroom.
Fitting Room Attendant: Managing fitting rooms, assisting customers, organizing returned items.
Customer Service Team Member: Handling returns and exchanges, answering customer questions, resolving issues.
Lay-by Assistant: Processing lay-by transactions, organizing lay-by items, communicating with customers.
Positions That May Prefer Experience (But Don’t Always Require It)
Department Specialist: Specialized knowledge in specific departments (electronics, homewares, apparel). Experience helpful but training provided.
Visual Merchandiser: Creating displays and store layouts. Some creative or retail experience preferred but not always required.
Online Fulfillment Team Member: Picking and packing online orders. No experience required, but attention to detail important.
Positions That Typically Require Experience
Supervisor/Team Leader: Supervising team members, managing shifts. Usually requires 6-12 months retail experience.
Department Manager: Managing specific departments. Requires 1-2 years retail experience and demonstrated leadership.
Store Manager: Overall store management. Requires several years retail management experience.
Loss Prevention Officer: Security and theft prevention. Requires security experience or qualifications.
What Kmart Looks For Instead of Experience
Since Kmart doesn’t require experience for entry-level positions, they focus on other qualities that predict success:
- Availability (Most Important)
Weekend Availability: Kmart’s busiest times are weekends. Candidates available Saturdays and Sundays are highly preferred.
Flexible Hours: Willingness to work various shifts including early mornings, evenings, and public holidays.
Consistent Availability: Reliable, consistent availability over time (not just one weekend per month).
Why It Matters: Retail requires coverage during peak times. Availability is often the deciding factor between candidates.
- Positive Attitude and Enthusiasm
Friendly Demeanor: Smiling, approachable, positive energy.
Genuine Interest: Enthusiasm about working at Kmart and in retail.
Customer-Focused: Genuine desire to help customers and provide good service.
Why It Matters: Attitude can’t be trained. Kmart can teach you the job, but they can’t teach you to be friendly and enthusiastic.
- Reliability and Responsibility
Punctuality: History of being on time (school attendance, other commitments).
Dependability: Following through on commitments and responsibilities.
Accountability: Taking ownership of tasks and admitting mistakes.
Why It Matters: Retail relies on team members showing up consistently. Unreliable employees disrupt operations and burden colleagues.
- Teamwork Skills
Collaboration: Ability to work well with others toward common goals.
Communication: Clear, respectful communication with colleagues and customers.
Supportiveness: Willingness to help team members when needed.
Why It Matters: Retail is team-based. Success depends on everyone working together effectively.
- Willingness to Learn
Open-Minded: Receptive to feedback and coaching.
Quick Learner: Able to pick up new skills and procedures.
Adaptable: Comfortable with change and learning new things.
Why It Matters: Kmart provides training, but you need to be willing and able to learn.
- Customer Service Orientation
Helpful Nature: Naturally inclined to assist others.
Patience: Able to remain calm and helpful even with difficult customers.
Problem-Solving: Thinking of solutions rather than just problems.
Why It Matters: Retail is customer-focused. Every role involves customer interaction.
- Physical Capability
Standing: Able to stand for extended periods (4-8 hours).
Lifting: Able to lift moderate weights (up to 15kg regularly, occasionally heavier).
Movement: Comfortable walking, bending, reaching throughout shifts.
Why It Matters: Retail work is physically demanding. You need to be capable of the physical requirements.
How to Get Hired at Kmart Without Experience
- Emphasize Transferable Skills
Even without work experience, you have relevant skills from other areas of life:
From School:
- Teamwork (group projects, sports teams)
- Communication (presentations, class participation)
- Reliability (attendance, meeting deadlines)
- Learning ability (grades, picking up new subjects)
- Problem-solving (assignments, challenges)
From Volunteer Work:
- Customer service (helping at events)
- Teamwork (working with other volunteers)
- Responsibility (showing up, completing tasks)
- Community engagement (understanding diverse people)
From Family Responsibilities:
- Reliability (caring for siblings, household tasks)
- Time management (balancing multiple responsibilities)
- Problem-solving (handling household challenges)
- Customer service (interacting with family friends, neighbors)
From Hobbies and Interests:
- Dedication (commitment to hobbies)
- Learning (developing new skills)
- Passion (enthusiasm and interest)
- Achievement (accomplishments in areas of interest)
- Highlight Your Availability
Be Specific: “I’m available Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and weekdays after 3:30 PM.”
Be Flexible: “I’m happy to work public holidays and school holidays, and I can adjust my availability as needed.”
Be Reliable: “I have reliable transportation and live only 15 minutes from the store, so getting to shifts on time is never an issue.”
- Show Enthusiasm
In Your Application: Express genuine excitement about the opportunity to work at Kmart.
In Your Interview: Smile, make eye contact, use positive language, show energy.
In Your Follow-Up: Send a thank-you message expressing continued interest.
- Create a Strong Resume (Even Without Experience)
Include:
- Personal details (name, contact information)
- Objective statement (what you’re seeking)
- Education (school, year level, achievements, awards)
- Skills (communication, teamwork, computer skills, customer service)
- Extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, music, volunteering)
- Hobbies and interests (relevant to retail if possible)
- References (teachers, coaches, community leaders)
Example Objective Statement: “Enthusiastic and reliable Year 11 student seeking part-time retail position at Kmart to develop professional skills and contribute to team success. Strong communication and teamwork abilities with flexible availability including weekends.”
- Prepare Strong References
Who to Ask:
- Teachers (especially those who know you well)
- Sports coaches
- Club advisors or activity leaders
- Volunteer coordinators
- Community leaders (religious leaders, youth group leaders)
- Family friends in professional roles (not relatives)
What to Tell Them: Inform your references you’re applying to Kmart and ask if they’d be willing to provide a positive reference about your reliability, attitude, and character.
- Ace the Interview
Common Questions for No-Experience Candidates:
“Tell me about yourself.” Focus on your qualities, skills, and why you’re interested in retail.
“Why do you want to work at Kmart?” Show you’ve researched Kmart and have genuine interest.
“You don’t have retail experience. Why should we hire you?” Emphasize your transferable skills, enthusiasm, availability, and willingness to learn.
“Tell me about a time you worked in a team.” Use examples from school, sports, volunteer work, or family.
“How would you handle a difficult customer?” Show customer service orientation, patience, and problem-solving.
“What is your availability?” Be specific and emphasize flexibility, especially weekends.
- Complete the Online Assessment Well
Kmart uses online assessments to screen candidates. These evaluate:
- Personality traits
- Work style preferences
- Situational judgment
- Customer service orientation
Tips:
- Answer honestly but strategically
- Choose answers that show customer focus, teamwork, reliability
- Be consistent in your responses
- Show you can handle pressure and stay positive
- Follow Up Professionally
After Applying: If you don’t hear back within 1-2 weeks, follow up politely.
After Interview: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours expressing continued interest.
Example Follow-Up: “Hi [Manager’s Name], I wanted to follow up on my application for the Retail Sales Assistant position. I’m very interested in joining the Kmart team and would love the opportunity to contribute. Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thank you for your consideration.”
What Training Does Kmart Provide?
Since Kmart hires people without experience, they provide comprehensive training:
Induction/Orientation (Day 1-2)
Company Overview: Kmart’s history, values, and culture.
Policies and Procedures: Store policies, safety procedures, employee conduct.
Systems Introduction: Overview of computer systems, registers, and equipment.
Store Tour: Familiarization with store layout, departments, and facilities.
On-the-Job Training (Week 1-4)
Shadowing: Working alongside experienced team members to learn tasks.
Hands-On Practice: Practicing tasks with supervision and feedback.
Register Training: Learning to operate cash registers, process transactions, handle cash.
Customer Service: Learning to assist customers, handle questions, resolve issues.
Stock Management: Learning to receive stock, use systems, restock shelves.
Safety Training: Proper lifting techniques, emergency procedures, workplace safety.
Ongoing Development
Product Knowledge: Learning about products in your department.
Advanced Skills: Additional training as you take on more responsibilities.
Leadership Development: Opportunities for supervisory and management training if you show potential.
Cross-Training: Learning different departments and roles for versatility.
Benefits of Starting at Kmart Without Experience
- Excellent First Job
No Pressure: You’re not expected to know everything. Everyone understands you’re learning.
Supportive Environment: Experienced team members help you learn and develop.
Structured Training: Clear training program ensures you learn properly.
- Build Your Resume
Work Experience: Add valuable retail experience to your resume.
Professional References: Develop references from managers and supervisors.
Demonstrated Skills: Prove you have customer service, teamwork, and reliability skills.
- Develop Valuable Skills
Customer Service: Learn to interact professionally with diverse customers.
Communication: Develop verbal and written communication skills.
Problem-Solving: Handle challenges and find solutions.
Time Management: Balance work with other commitments.
Teamwork: Collaborate effectively with colleagues.
Technology: Learn retail systems and equipment.
- Career Progression
Internal Promotion: Kmart promotes from within. Many managers started with no experience.
Clear Pathway: Retail Sales Assistant → Senior Sales Assistant → Supervisor → Department Manager → Store Manager
Transferable Experience: Retail experience opens doors to other industries and roles.
- Financial Independence
Regular Income: Earn your own money for savings or expenses.
Penalty Rates: Higher pay for weekends and public holidays.
Superannuation: Start building retirement savings (11% of earnings).
Employee Discounts: Discounts on Kmart products.
Common Concerns About Applying Without Experience
“Won’t they prefer someone with experience?”
For entry-level positions, availability and attitude matter more than experience. Experienced candidates often want higher pay or more hours than entry-level positions offer. Kmart actively seeks enthusiastic beginners.
“What if I make mistakes?”
Everyone makes mistakes when learning. Kmart expects this and provides support. The key is learning from mistakes and showing improvement.
“Will I be paid less without experience?”
Pay is based on age and position level, not experience. A 17-year-old with no experience earns the same as a 17-year-old with experience in the same position.
“How can I compete with experienced applicants?”
Emphasize what you offer: enthusiasm, flexibility, availability, willingness to learn, and fresh perspective. These often outweigh experience for entry-level roles.
“What if I don’t know anything about retail?”
That’s okay! Kmart provides training. They’re looking for people who can learn, not people who already know everything.
Positions Where Experience Helps (But Isn’t Required)
Visual Merchandiser
Experience That Helps:
- Art or design background
- Previous merchandising or display work
- Creative projects or hobbies
Without Experience: Strong visual sense, creativity, and attention to detail can compensate.
Online Fulfillment
Experience That Helps:
- Previous warehouse or picking work
- Organizational experience
Without Experience: Attention to detail, efficiency, and accuracy are more important.
Electronics Department
Experience That Helps:
- Technology knowledge or interest
- Previous electronics retail
Without Experience: Genuine interest in technology and willingness to learn product knowledge.
Tips for Success in Your First Retail Job
First Few Weeks
Ask Questions: Don’t pretend to know something you don’t. Ask for clarification.
Take Notes: Write down important procedures and information.
Observe: Watch experienced team members and learn from them.
Be Patient: Give yourself time to learn. It takes a few weeks to feel comfortable.
Stay Positive: Maintain enthusiasm even when overwhelmed or tired.
Building Your Career
Be Reliable: Show up on time for every shift. Reliability is highly valued.
Take Initiative: Volunteer for additional tasks and responsibilities.
Learn Continuously: Ask to learn new departments and skills.
Build Relationships: Develop positive relationships with colleagues and managers.
Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback and act on it.
Show Interest in Advancement: Express interest in taking on more responsibility when ready.
Conclusion
You do not need previous work experience to work at Kmart. Kmart regularly hires people with no work history for entry-level positions and provides comprehensive training to ensure success. What matters most is your availability (especially weekends), positive attitude, reliability, willingness to learn, and customer service orientation.
If you’re applying to Kmart without experience, focus on:
1.Emphasizing your transferable skills from school, volunteer work, and other life experiences
2.Highlighting your availability, especially weekends
3.Showing genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity
4.Creating a strong resume that showcases your qualities and potential
5.Preparing thoroughly for the interview with examples of your skills
6.Being patient and persistent throughout the hiring process
Kmart is an excellent first job option, offering valuable work experience, skill development, career progression opportunities, and financial independence. Starting at Kmart without experience can be the beginning of a successful retail career or provide transferable skills for any future career path.
Don’t let lack of experience stop you from applying. Kmart values potential, attitude, and availability over previous work history. With the right approach and preparation, you have an excellent chance of being hired and succeeding in your first retail role.
Good luck with your Kmart application!
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