Atlanta, GA, July 14--Perhaps it's a reaction to the threat of terrorism. Maybe it's Martha Stewart's influence. Or the popularity of TV shows such as Trading Spaces and While You Were Out, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Whatever the reason, Americans' intense nesting instinct is boosting the need for qualified salespeople at big-box home improvement stores.
Both Home Depot and Lowe's Cos. report increasing sales even in a sluggish economy.
Atlanta-based Home Depot, the leader in the field, has landscape, contractor, flooring, supply and design stores in addition to the familiar orange-logoed home improvement stores.
With Home Depot adding 200 stores this year and Lowe's adding 130, there are sales opportunities open.
Warm weather brings the high season for home improvement.
"It's our Christmas," explained Home Depot spokeswoman Mandy Holton. Home and garden retailers beef up their seasonal workforce in preparation for spring do-it-yourselfers and seek trained sales professionals in specialty departments year-round.
"We're looking for people who have experience in kitchen design, appliance sales, flooring specialists," said Gary Orr, staffing manager for the central division of Home Depot. "Appliance sales heat up between Memorial Day and Labor Day, so the department is staffed continuously."
Appliances is one area where Home Depot hopes to improve. Orr said the company has revamped store floor plans and hired more sales staff.
Home Depot rarely advertises positions, so its jobs are best found at the stores, where applications are taken via self-service kiosks.
"The applicant flow takes care of our staffing needs," Orr explained.
At Lowe's, job seekers can apply online. This month, Home Depot will begin testing online applications.
Regardless of the process, experience is what counts, Orr said. Contractors and tradespeople with sales experience are desirable, as are sales types from other retail establishments. Many have upwards of five years' experience.
Home Depot and Lowe's need experienced salespeople but, most important, people who like people and genuinely want to help the consumer.
Cliff Hambleton, a regional vice president for Lowe's, said anyone can learn the product. "But the genuine `I-am-a-service-type' individual is not as easy to find."
He said he wants salespeople whom customers will recognize as both an expert and a friend. The best result is when customers find a salesperson particularly helpful: "They walk back in the stores with photographs of the completed project."
A hurdle to overcome is some salespeople's view of retail as the bottom of the barrel.
"People who think that about retail haven't looked into big-box retail," Hambleton said. "The opportunity for personal growth and business growth is unprecedented."
Both Orr and Hambleton touted perks such as generous stock-purchase plans and 401(k) retirement plans as reasons to consider sales careers. Both retailers also have part-time positions for sales professionals. Because Lowe's banks on relationships with customers, 70 percent of its employees are full time.
"We want the customer to continually see the same faces," Hambleton added, "but a lot of part-timers choose Lowe's for a career."
Pay varies by department, he said.
"Some employees are hourly, some on variable pay, some on incentive programs from manufacturers, and some are salaried individuals," Hambleton said.
Home Depot salespeople work hourly, without commission but with incentive programs, Orr said. Both men stressed that the pay scales are competitive geographically.
According to www.retailworker.com, both employers base their wages on experience, and posters to the message board report that hourly wages, ranging from $11 to $16 per hour, are negotiable.
