no training at all. If you have no experience in industrial/construction products, you will sink. - Sales Trainee/OSP Fastenal Employee Review

2.0
28 Sept 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people I worked with were very friendly and were willing to help me as much as possible.

Cons

This company runs lean on everything, including employees. At my store, we had the GM, myself, and a part time sales support person. During my first 2 weeks, I had no formal training and was left alone in the store for hours on end. I had no idea what I was doing or what the products were/where they were located due to lack of training. When people would call or come in and ask questions, my only resort was to call my GM and see if I could get ahold of him on his cell while he was filling vending machines or trying to make a sale. Not his fault, he had no time to train me.

Explore other reviews about Fastenal

5.0
22 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

It was a fun job to do when I just turned 18

Cons

Hard labor, gets quite boring after a while

3.0
9 Jun 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

They offer training programs through their internal “Fastenal School of Business.” A few good mentors to guide you should you find one and if you’re willing.

Cons

* Work/Life Balance - No official WFH opportunities. Branch employees were told to report, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. 15 days of PTO (10 for vacation and 5 for sick). You don’t earn additional PTO until the start of the year following your 5 year anniversary. * Pay - pay is inconsistent and they find reasons to change your pay by eliminating and changing titles. Pay is below industry standard and is a base + bonus program for most roles. * Boys Club - Especially in MN/WI area. Positions created or filled for cast off tenured employees to find them another spot rather than termination. Promotions based on political moves instead of merit or opportunities for growth. Positions posted for new roles internally but sometimes not shared with teams to allow for those politically motivated decisons to fill a spot. If a role is only posted for 1-week vs 2-weeks, it usually means they have a specific candidate in mind to take that role. * Cheap & Tacky - Required to travel but not all meals are covered. Welcome to stay at hotel that offers free breakfast but no per diem for lunch or dinner. Some meetings or trainings might provide lunch. When traveling for team meetings or trainings, usually required to share rooms - sometimes with other employees you’ve never met. Encouraged to book rooms using discount codes provided by customers. There is a target room rate they’d like you to hit and sometimes it means driving out of the way. They’d rather the expense hit elsewhere such as fuel and travel versus the room rate.

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