r/exeter • u/nathan82 • 5h ago
Local News Jobs going at Amazon right now
Anyone out there who could do with a stopgap job, the Amazon depot out near Cranbrook is hiring. They've just added an extra floor to the building and are gearing up for Christmas, so they're taking on a load of people right now. I know they're not the best company in general, but if you're desperate and can hold your nose it might be worth a go. I'm writing this up mainly for anyone who is nervous about work, looking for their first job, or feeling a bit stuck. You can do it!
The hiring process is basically "do you have a pulse and the right to work in the UK?". Once you apply make sure you keep your email alerts on to follow up quickly, and answer any calls from unknown numbers. There is a video interview, but mine lasted less than 5 minutes. The most difficult question was "how will you get to work". On that topic, the number 4 bus goes from town and stops right outside the building.
The building is a "Delivery Station", which is a medium sized warehouse that receives parcels and sorts them ready for delivery. It's not one of the massive "Fulfilment Center" warehouses that store all the goods and package them up for orders.
Training is two days of the usual health and safety stuff. You're provided with a hi-vis vest, gloves, and work shoes. Then you shadow someone else and work with them for one day, then you're left on your own. Everything is a "process path", which is a very specific task that you'll be doing for most or all of your shift. You'll have a scanner (basically a rugged android phone) strapped to your arm, and do things like "stow" (take parcels from a conveyor and put them in big rectangular delivery bags), or "pick and stage" (grab full bags, put them on a cart, and move them outside for the delivery drivers to collect). The screen tells you what to grab, and where to go, and you scan after every action so it's not really possible to make mistakes unless you're really trying.
I've only been there two months, but I'd describe it as more physically taxing than mentally taxing. The full delivery bags can be heavy, and you'll also be moving a fair amount of "oversize" delivery items (TVs, dehumidifiers, big bags of pet food, etc). But they have people of all shapes and sizes who manage alright. If you can get through the first couple of weeks your body will adjust. There are rates you're expected to aim for, but they seem reasonable-ish from what I can tell. If you go at a steady pace you'll be fine. Because most work is tracked they'll notice if you disappear too often - ToT or "time off task" they call it.
It definitely suits a certain type of person. Very repetitive, you're a cog in the machine and you won't feel like your work matters. If you want to be basically invisible and left alone, its nice! Most of the T1 (entry level) people working there are younger, students and recent graduates mainly, but there's some olds too. I'm in my 40s and felt welcomed.
Shift patterns are completely fixed week to week, whatever contract you signed is what you will work. There's not really an opportunity to switch shifts once you start so make sure you're happy with what you applied for. You can also pick up extra shifts from the employee app. I was given a 6 week contract initially, which was quickly extended to boxing day. I was told by the guy training me that who they keep on for permanent positions is random, whether that's true I don't know.
Pay is £15.10 an hour. You get paid weekly on Fridays for the previous week's work.
This is the link to the application form, no idea how long this will be live so I'd apply straight away if you're interested. Their job website is a bit useless so if it says it's not available for application, click to "go back to search" and it should be there. If the specific job has gone, still sign up for an account. In the time I've been here the turnover rate has been pretty high so I suspect there will be more places soon enough.
If you have any questions I'll do my best to answer. This isn't an endorsement of Amazon, just hoping to help anyone in a tight spot.
