Which system does Target use?
Target's careers site and application system run on Workday, hosted at target.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com. Candidates log in and track applications, offers, and tasks through a Workday Candidate Homepage.
Verification: Target's live job postings and application flow resolve at target.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/targetcareers, and Target's own FAQ page (corporate.target.com/careers/faqs) repeatedly references the "Workday Candidate Homepage" and "Workday Career Hub" for tracking applications, offer letters, and internal transfers.
Applying: what Target's system actually asks for
Every Target application, whether for a store team member role or a corporate position, goes through the Workday-powered careers site. Target's own hiring-process page describes several ways to fill out the application: entering information manually, uploading a resume so the system autofills fields, reusing a previous Target application, or autofilling from LinkedIn. Target's FAQ page states plainly that "a resume or CV is not required to apply for jobs but highly encouraged," meaning candidates without one can still complete an application by entering skills and work history directly.
Some postings add extra steps beyond the base application. Target's hiring-process page notes that "some applications may require supplemental information like work availability or a quick assessment regarding job-related skills" — most relevant for hourly store and supply-chain roles, where schedule flexibility and basic job-relevant screening questions are commonly part of the flow. Current Target employees are directed to apply internally through the Workday Career Hub rather than the public site.
Recruiter review and interview formats
After submission, Target's own description of the process is that "your application will be reviewed by our recruitment team, who may contact you to tell you more about Target, the job and the team." From there, Target says it uses three interview formats depending on the role and location: live phone or virtual conversations, in-person interviews at a store or facility, and recorded video interviews. Self-scheduling for phone screens and interviews happens through email invitations tied to the Workday candidate account.
For hourly and high-volume hiring in particular, the recorded video format is common. Target uses HireVue for this: its own careers page describes a roughly 30-minute session with a practice question first (never reviewed by Target, just to test your camera and audio), followed by timed responses to real questions, with the ability to re-record an individual answer before final submission. Target states that recruiters aim to respond "within five business days" after a recorded interview is submitted, and that responses "must reflect your personal understanding and judgment, without reliance on external AI-related assistance."
Hiring events and high-volume recruiting
Target runs structured recruiting events beyond the standard online application, according to its careers events page: campus and early-career fairs, professional conferences, and community-facing sessions that include skills workshops, career fairs, interview prep, and one-on-one coaching.
Separately, Target maintains a dedicated "new stores" careers page listing openings tied to upcoming store launches, with each location linking to its own set of job postings. This is Target's clearest documented example of high-volume, location-specific hourly hiring, and it runs through the same Workday application system rather than a separate process.
Screening, offers, and onboarding
Target's FAQ page is explicit that "all Target job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of our pre-employment screening process, which includes a background check," administered by a third party, Accurate Background. Certain positions also carry a mandatory drug screening requirement, which Target says must be completed within 24 hours of accepting a conditional offer.
Once selected, candidates get an email notification about accessing their offer letter through Workday, under "My Tasks" then "Review Conditional Offer." Application status, including rejections, is tracked in the same Workday candidate portal under "My Applications," and Target notes that rejected candidates can reapply to different postings.
What Target does and doesn't say about how it screens candidates
Target does not publish details of any automated resume-ranking or keyword-matching logic, match scores, or specific knockout criteria in its Workday system. What it confirms is limited to what's described above: an optional resume upload that autofills fields, an application that may include supplemental questions or a short skills assessment for some roles, and human recruiter review after submission.
Target is also explicit about interview integrity: both its general hiring-process page and its recorded-video-interview page state that candidates are expected to answer "based on their own knowledge and experience" and that AI assistance during interviews is not permitted. Beyond that, Target's own guidance to candidates is procedural — how to log in, how to reschedule, how to request accommodations — rather than tactical advice about optimizing an application to beat any particular screening step.
Preparing your application: the checklist
Every item follows from the documented process above — nothing here is folklore.
- Create your Workday candidate profile with a consistent email address — Target's FAQ notes accounts lock after 10 failed login attempts, and mismatched emails can cause tracking problems.
- Upload a resume if you have one; it autofills your Workday application, though Target confirms it isn't strictly required.
- Watch for supplemental questions on the application, such as work availability — Target states some postings require this alongside a short job-skills assessment.
- If invited to a HireVue recorded interview, test your camera/microphone using the ungraded practice question first, and use a well-lit, quiet space, per Target's own instructions.
- Prepare specific situational examples from your work history — Target's FAQ says interviews focus on "specific examples of how you have performed or responded in a particular situation."
- Check your Workday Candidate Homepage regularly under "My Applications" for status updates and scheduling invitations.
- If applying to a newly opening store, use Target's dedicated new-stores careers page to find location-specific postings rather than only the general job search.
- Be ready to complete a background check (and, for some roles, a drug screening within 24 hours of a conditional offer) — Target states all offers are contingent on this.