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How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at JCPenney?

How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at JCPenney

Well, to answer the question very basically, you have to be at least 16 years old, making this one of the best companies for younger people. In fact, there are loads of entry-level jobs at JCPenney that would ideally suit young people looking to get their first footing on the employment ladder or students looking for some extra cash.

JCPenney’s most practical entry-level jobs include Customer Experience Associate, Merchandise Handling Associate, Pricing and Signing Associate, Fulfillment Associate, and Operations Associate. Therefore, if you are 16 or above, you can apply for a job at JCPenney today.

But what do you need to work there? What is their working ethos? And is it really as good as it sounds?

Let’s find out in my in-depth look at How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at JCPenney?

how old do you have to be work at jcpenney

What Is JCPenney’s Working Philosophy?

JCPenney has almost 700 departments stores across the USA and Puerto Rico and was initially founded in 1902. They have a great reputation for being a welcoming and friendly place to work.

Their mission statement is “to help our customer find what she loves for less time, money, and effort.” Customer service and satisfaction are some of their key goals. The store is proud of its track record for offering job opportunities to young people. And are known as a place where “careers prosper, accomplishments are celebrated, and diversity flourishes.”

Best JCPenney Teen Jobs And Age Requirements

There are several types of jobs at JCPenney that suit teens. So, check out my overview of the job titles, their duties, age requirements, and pay scales.

Before we start, it’s important to mention that JCPenney ‘Associate’ jobs are essentially listed as part-time work. They are not regarded as full-time roles as such. Therefore, you won’t receive the benefits of being a full-time worker.

Customer Experience Associate Jobs

As JCPenney takes customer care so seriously, this is one of their most important positions. A Customer Experience Associate job is all about ensuring that the customer has a favorable experience in the store.

You will be responsible for relaying the company image and ethos on the shop floor. Creating a warm, inviting, and favorable atmosphere for the customer. You’ll need to create and maintain a positive image by following the store’s SET guidelines.

Contribute to the SET process…

You will need to contribute to the SET process by setting up products displays, floor moves, and placing fixtures. Some of your main duties will include maintaining a clean shopping environment, restocking the store when and if needed, and working in tandem with other staff if additional support is required.

You will also be utilizing the mobile POS for customer checkout when needed.

how old do you have to be works at jcpenney

Age Requirements and Pay Scale

You need to be at least 16 years old to apply for a Customer Experience Associate job. The pay scale is between minimum wage and $15 per hour. If you have no prior experience in customer care or related fields, you’ll probably start on minimum wage with the opportunity to raise your salary over time. The average pay rate for this job is $10 per hour.

Fulfillment Associate Jobs

A Fulfillment Associate is a fancy title for someone who works as part of the team responsible for basic warehouse and stocking duties. You’ll need to be physically fit because the job involves unloading merchandise truck deliveries, picking work orders for online or in-store purchases, and packing items for shipping, etc.

You will either work by yourself or as part of a team when required. It’s not a job for the physically challenged or the faint-hearted. But it is good and honest work and perfect for unskilled teens with no degrees looking for an entry-level job.

Age Requirements and Pay Scale

You’ll have to be at least 16 years old and able-bodied to apply for this Fulfillment Associate job. The job pays between minimum wage and $15 per hour, with the average pay being $10 per hour. However, if this is your first time working in this type of job, you might have to start on the minimum wage level.

Merchandise Handling Associate Jobs

The main duties of a Merchandise Handling Associate will revolve around JCPenney’s merchandise receiving and shopping processes. You are responsible for shop floor operations at the store, organizing the in-store merchandise, and ensuring a safe, inviting, and clean shopping environment are the cornerstones of this role.

You will be dealing with customers directly by answering their questions or giving them advice in line with the store’s policy.

Multiple roles…

You’re also expected to undertake daily operational activities like restocking shelves and even setting up merchandise displays. This is a job with multiple roles; for example, you might be expected to help the cashier if they are busy or assist in product returns while maintaining consistent inventory levels.

I recommend that you always have a clean appearance and a friendly attitude because you might be the first person in the store that a customer meets.

Age Requirements and Pay Scale

You can apply for this Merchandise Handling job if you are 16 years old or above. And it pays between minimum wage and $15 per hour, with the average being $10 per hour. It’s an entry-level job, but if you do have prior experience in a similar role, you might get paid more than minimum wage from the start.

how old do you have to be work the jcpenney

Pricing And Signing Associate Jobs

There are more responsibilities with a Pricing and Signing Associate job at JCPenney’s than your standard customer service-related roles. You will be involved in the promotional prices of store merchandise to drive profit and sales growth while ensuring a top-notch customer experience.

You’ll be responsible for ensuring that any price changes on products are performed properly. Troubleshoot any potential issues with pricing inconsistencies and resolve pricing problems following the store’s processes.

Company safety initiatives…

Assisting in pulling merchandise from the stock room or sales floor in the liquidation process is a key part of the job. Helping the store to adhere to company safety initiatives or even working with other team members in other departments is also likely.

All in all, this is a less labor-intensive role than being a fulfillment associate or any other more physical job.

Age Requirements and Pay Scale

To apply for a JCPenney pricing and Signing Associate job, you must be at least 16 years old. But please remember that older teens are sometimes preferred for this job type. If you don’t have prior experience working in similar roles, you’ll probably start at minimum wage.

Although it is possible to get $15 per hour for this job, the average wage is $10 per hour.

Operations Associate Job

The main duties of an Operation Associate role are to perform routine store duties to ensure the customer experience is at its best. Being the first at the store in the morning to open up is what this job is all about.

If you’re an early worm, you’ll love this role. You’ll be expected to work in numerous jobs across the board that include customer care, pricing and signing, and keeping the shop floor clean and safe.

Support most departments…

You might be expected to help out the fulfillment associate staff when large orders for the online store need picking. Or even if a large truck needs unloading. This is one of the most important jobs at the store because you provide support for most departments.

Age Requirements and Pay Scale

You will need to be at least 16 years old to apply for the Operations Associate job and make sure that you are physically fit. The average wage for this job is $10 per hour, but the scale is usually between minimum wage and $13 per hour.

Do I Need Prior Experience To Work At JCPenney?

You don’t need any prior work experience to obtain one of these JCPenney associate jobs. But if you do, it will help you to secure a job over another applicant, and you might be paid a higher wage.

Most entry-level jobs at the store start at minimum wage pay, but they can pay up to $15 per hour. The more experience you have in a related role, the more chance you have to secure the average pay rate of $10 or more.

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How To Apply?

There are a few ways for younger people to apply for an associate job at JCPenney’s. You can visit their official careers website directly to apply online or to find more information. You’ll need to enter your desired job title and your current zip code that will streamline the search for jobs at stores local to you.

Secondly, you can visit job websites like “Indeed” to find more job opportunities at the store. Finally, you can visit your local JCPenney department store to apply directly. This is a more personal approach and could work out in your favor if you make a positive first impression.

You will be given an application form that you can fill in on the spot and apply directly in person.

Looking For More In Fashion Retail?

Even if you’re just starting out at 16 years old, you might want to permanently work in the Fashion industry in the future. So, check out our Fashion Designer Job Description and Fashion Designer Interview Questions to see if it’s for you!

Next, there’s no harm in trying with our numerous opportunities such as Saks Fifth Avenue Application, Neiman Marcus Application, Express Application, Ralph Lauren Application, or even Barneys New York Application, DressBarn Application, New York and Company Application, and Zara Application.

But wait, there’s more! I’ve also put together a fabulous selection of applications, including their interview guides with my Levis Application and Levis Strauss Interview Questions, or how about my Guess Application and Guess Jeans Interview Questions, Forever 21 Application and Forever 21 Interview Questions, and finally, my Five Below Application and Five Below Interview Questions in 2023.

For the love of fashion…

Why not read up on some Tommy Hilfiger history by checking out Iconic America: A Roller Coaster Ride Through the Eye-Popping Panorama of American Pop Culture, American Dreamer: My Life in Fashion and Business by Tommy Hilfiger, as well as All American: A Style Book, and Rock Style: A Book of Rock, Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, Punk, Funk and the Fashions That Give Looks to Those Sounds also by Tommy Hilfiger available online today.

High Fashion and Couture are portrayed beautifully in these online books we found. Try the book of Tom Ford, Chanel: Collections and Creations, Coco Chanel: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon, and of course Dior: The Collections, or what about Louis Vuitton: The Birth of Modern Luxury Updated Edition, the Illustrated World of Couture, or Yves Saint Laurent: The Complete Haute Couture Collections, and lastly Dior: New Couture, and Creating Couture Embellishment also available online today.

Final Thoughts

JCPenney is a fantastic place to find a job if you are between the ages of 16 and 18 years old and you have no qualifications or little or no experience. And their ‘associate’ jobs are a great way to enter the employment world for the first time.

Just remember to make a good impression by wearing a fashionable outfit. I also recommend you wear one of the pieces from the store. This will also act as an ice breaker when you get an interview.

All the very best Working at JCPenney!

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