Pros
I an only reccomend a job at Fastenal if you are interested in the industry and need a decent benfits package. There are NO other pros to working for this company.
Cons
I took this job 3 years ago because they were hiring and I was sold the typical line of BS, which I bought. "Great career advancement potential, company training, benefits, entrepreneurial spirit"..etc. Firstly, let me say that the entire culture of this company is very immature. The trainings are conducted mostly by people who have no experience in the field and are hired as teachers. When I was flown to Winona to attend the Branch Mgr Development progam for a month, we were given a $25.00 coupon card for groceries. WTF? The salary sucks. We rarely have the product on the shelf that the customer needs. You are expected to sell your products at 30-40% over the competition. The managers are usually promoted from within, but there is a lot of politics involved as well. You are expected to help with other store moves, and work overtime without compensation. Management is clueless. They do not want entreprenuers, they want slaves..there is no decision making power. In most other fields, outside sales professionals are respected for their craft and allowed an expense account, and other benefits, but not a Fastenal. They tout that they are a " frugal company". Christmas bonuses consist of a letter from the CEO and a box of candy...seriously. I am a bit disgruntled over the way I was fired, but I have to say that it was the best thing that could have happened. I should have left after my first year, but I had developed good relationships with customers and co-workers.