Good company as a whole, BUT..... - Management Assistant CarMax Employee Review

4.0
Feb 4, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

A company with integrity, something that's unheard of in the car buying industry. Great associates, fun work environment, and a management team that truly cares about you as a person. They also provide you with a great benefits package, which includes company contributions. If this means more than money to you, then Carmax is the place to work.

Cons

Non-competetive hourly wage (this is the ONLY reason I left the company). Yearly merit increase has a cap of 3.5%. The only way to make a decent living is to move into a salaried position. Growth opportunities ARE there for the taking, but their interview process for growth candidates is grueling. Unless you are able to sell yourself, there's a distinct possibility you won't pass MAP (Management Assessment Panel). I've found that the best "talkers" are the ones that pass MAP, not necessarily the most qualified. The assessment panel consists of 3 or 4 senior management employees that have never met the growth candidate before. They assess the candidate solely on the full day of questions that are conducted at a regional location. The candidate also compiles a presentation "selling" himself on why he should move up with the company. The panel has no idea how the candidate handles day to day activities in the store. P.S. This is not a rant from a previous employee that didn't pass MAP. I was a growth candidate, but declined the opportunity due to the MAP process. I worked at Carmax for over 3 years and saw entirely too many valuable employees FAIL the assessment while undeserving employees PASS the assessment all because of their ability to sell themselves ( AKA: lie about their core values and work ethic).

Explore other reviews about CarMax

5.0
May 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You are your own boss

Cons

Slow days can be demotivating.

4.0
Jun 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The perks of working at CarMax are quite extensive. Associates are offered an aggressive 401k program, Stock Purchasing Plan, in store discounts on sales and service, access to the CarMax Wholesale system, excellent healthcare, plenty of PTO, and at my location we are given as much OT as we want. My coworkers are generally good people, that I enjoy being able to work along side day in and day out. Management is very understanding in regards to calling out sick family emergencies, and schedule requests.

Cons

Despite doing the work of 5 people, and very politely asking for a raise management will not give me more than my 3% annual raise which is the single biggest let down. The bonus change of 2025 being labeled as "exciting" was straight corporate gaslighting unlike anything I've ever seen. Since the start of 2026, as of this review being written we have lost 7 associates largely due to pay, and I am soon to join those associates. Management from the store level up to corporate needs to understand that to retain their top performers they need to be compensated like a top performer. Some members of management are cliquey and moody which is very frustrating to deal with. Quality of Management varies wildly from store to store as well

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All