Costco insiders seem pleased with the company's internal promotion system. "Costco does believe in promotion from within," confirms one. "I don't know the extent of their hiring practices outside company bloodlines."

Longtime employees

These promotions from within evidently suggest a satisfactory working environment. "At Costco," reveals one source, "there are many loyal long-term employees. People do move up with the right desires, work ethic, and job performance." This source adds, "it is not uncommon to go into a Costco and see hourly employees that have been with the company for 15 years making 40K a year running a cash register or driving a forklift."