Are you one of the many students wondering, “How old do you have to be to work at PetSmart?”
Well, you’re not alone. A lot of people are looking for a part to full-time work in this company to get closer to animals while earning.
Luckily, the company offers a lot of postings and internships. You’ll have the chance to decide which position suits you and your skills best.
This article will discuss the ins and outs of working for PetSmart and what you need to apply.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at PetSmart?
The minimum age requirement for PetSmart applicants is 18 years old. Even though they offer a few paid internship programs, you have to be at least of legal age before they can consider you.
College credits can also be given if the candidate meets the company’s proper criteria. Those who want to apply for an internship must have a minimum of one or more semesters left to be eligible.
Does PetSmart Hire 16-Year-Olds?
Sadly, PetSmart doesn’t offer internship programs or part to full-time positions for those under 18. Anyone looking for jobs for 17-year-olds may look for other companies.
However, you can also check for eligibility if you’re in Montana or a state where the law permits it. These exceptions are subject to change, depending on the state’s and the company’s regulations.
Does PetSmart Hire 50-Year-Olds?
On the bright side, people who are 50 years of age and above are welcome to apply to PetSmart. As long as they’re able and qualified, they can get hired for positions such as cashier, dog washer, and even store manager.
Other PetSmart Hiring Requirements
PetSmart isn’t strict with its general hiring requirements, especially for entry-level positions. What matters most is the candidate’s passion, initiative, willingness to learn, and genuine care for animals.
That doesn’t mean the company doesn’t value the candidate’s desirable assets. Any relevant and commendable skills are more than welcome and given extra consideration.
Inclusivity, contributing to various PetSmart charities, and animal welfare are what summarize the company’s core values. People who can share and embody these ideologies fit right in.
Does PetSmart Hire Without Experience?
Having no prior experience isn’t detrimental to your chances of applying. Most of the entry-level positions they offer provide paid training to enhance your skills further and allow you to adjust to the work nature.
It’s worth noting that every PetSmart employee must at least be patient and caring enough to handle pets, regardless of their behavior. The company doesn’t tolerate any form of animal discrimination, so each pet should receive equal treatment.
Does PetSmart Hire Without a High School Diploma?
It’s not a general mandatory requirement to have a high school diploma to get a job at PetSmart. However, some positions and internship programs may require one, especially if you’re looking for college credits.
For specific roles that require one, you can also provide a GED instead.
Teen Jobs at PetSmart
While there aren’t any opportunities for those underaged teens, there are a few openings students can try if they want a job related to taking care of animals.
These positions are well worth considering if you want to bank on experience as you figure out your career path in the future.
Here are some of the notable jobs PetSmart offers to teenagers 18 and above:
1. Pet Care Associate
A pet care associate is responsible for nursing and supervising the pets in a PetSmart store. The tasks can vary depending on the animal, whether it be a dog, cat, fish, or any other typical house pet.
They must ensure that all animals in the pet store are given the proper and adequate food, sufficient exercise in the early morning, and occasional grooming.
Job Requirements and Skills
Age Requirement: 18 and above
Typical Pay: Roughly $14 per hour
These are some of the key skills you can expect to improve as a PetSmart pet care associate:
- Knowledge and Affection for Animals: Pet care associates must have a soft spot for animals to watch over them and provide for their needs. No client will trust a PetSmart employee who isn’t good with pets.
- Ability and Initiative: As an associate, there will be times when you’ll be left to handle tasks alone. The ability to take charge when needed is essential to your growth in the company.
- Identifying Problems: The more clients you experience handling, the further you get exposed to various pet concerns. This knowledge will help develop your assessment skills in each situation.
2. Remote Call Center Agent
PetSmart offers remote call center agent positions to deal with queries and concerns about the store, its products, and general animal welfare. Employees in this role will take, or sometimes make, calls to give answers and solutions to customers.
Job Requirements and Skills
Age Requirement: 18 and above
Typical Pay: $12 to $16 per hour
A PetSmart call center agent is expected to have the following skills:
- Customer Service: Call center agents or customer service representatives provide support and advice about the company’s products and services through inbound and outbound communication.
- Problem-Solving Skills: PetSmart’s customers will often reach out to their support pages and hotlines to have a question answered. The attending agent must have the skills to solve or address the relevant problems timely.
- Empathic and Positive Language: Since call center agents engage in customer concern-related conversations, they must use empathic and positive language to make their clients feel comfortable.
3. Retail Sales Associate
Processing sales and returns, helping customers find the product they’re looking for, and keeping the store stocked with the necessary merchandise falls under the responsibility of a retail sales associate.
They might also be tasked to invite clients into loyalty programs and other PetSmart promos.
Job Requirements and Skills
Age Requirement: 18 and above
Typical Pay: $12 to $15 per hour
Retail sales associates need these skills to excel in their position:
- Product and Merchandise Knowledge: One of the main objectives of a retail sales associate is to market PetSmart’s products and merchandise to increase sales.
- Written and Verbal Communication: Written and verbal communication skills are essential for customer engagement and forging strong business relationships with a trusted partner.
- Product Sourcing: A retail sales associate sometimes needs to source marketable inventories from different suppliers to stock their pet store. They must have a keen sense of understanding of which products and merchandise will attract more sales and build customer trust.
Is PetSmart a Good First Job?
If you’re into animals and want to learn more about caring for them while earning money, PetSmart is a great first job. It’s one of the best environments a pet lover can be in, especially if they support animal rights.
The company is the leading contributor to animal welfare in North America, so it’s only right to hire people who share the same passion. As much as the tasks can be difficult and demanding at times, the pay and experience are rewarding enough.
PetSmart doesn’t require much from your resume for a first job, but once you reach greater heights in the company, it’ll do wonders for your credentials.
It’s a great place to start if you can handle living daily with different animals and the occasional busy days.
Frequently Asked Questions
There aren’t many complicated requirements for job offers at PetSmart, but there are a few queries to address. Here are some frequently asked questions:
What Is the Dress Code for PetSmart?
A PetSmart employee typically wears a company-provided blue polo with their logo, khaki pants or blue jeans, and closed-toe shoes.
They aren’t strict with shoes, but it’s best to use rubber shoes for comfort and mobility. You also don’t need to hide tattoos or piercings if you have any.
What Is the Highest Paying Job at PetSmart?
Customer engagement leader is the highest-paying position you can get at PetSmart. The hourly rate can go anywhere between $20 to $30 for a total of $40,000 to $60,000 a year.
The job description of this role includes leading teams to improve customer satisfaction and increase client engagement.
Alternative Companies to Consider
PetSmart offers a variety of opportunities and future career paths for its employees. If PetSmart doesn’t fit your standards, here are some other companies you can consider:
- Petco Age Requirements: Petco is an animal health and wellness company that provides pet products and other services. Applicants must be at least 18 to apply here.
- Walmart Age Requirements: Walmart is a popular hypermarket chain in the U.S. They offer opportunities for 16-year-olds and above.
- Target Age Requirements: Target is a retail corporation with almost 2,000 branches across the U.S. The minimum age requirement for certain positions is 16.
Wrapping Up
Animal welfare is often ignored and given little importance. Thanks to companies like PetSmart, people are given a chance to contribute to improving the lives of our non-human buddies.
Not only does this help support such a cause, but it also provides job experiences and a source of income for those in need. Any pet person will agree that this means hitting three birds with one stone (without the harm, of course).
