Picking up from what they say in their sites regarding their job offers, it could truly be a career investment to send in that Winn Dixie Stores job application online because it is an “opportunity for a better future.”

Winn Dixie’s statements in their ads may be ad lingo, but Winn Dixie has a remarkable history of giving back to the community. Giving to charitable causes, overseeing food banks and disaster relief action, aids to community organizations and civic groups – these are just some of the things that Winn Dixie did and is doing.

For job hunters and those not yet in the know, maybe a short run-through of Winn Dixie’s history would help.

Founded in 1925 William Davis and his four sons, Winn Dixie had a colorful history in its entire economic life. Starting well enough to be the 1st Florida company to be listed in the New York stock exchange, up to owning more than 1000 stores nationwide in 2003 when its stock was listed as the “worst performing ” all the way to its declaration of bankruptcy in 2005, Winn Dixie’s more than 80 years of existence is remarkably resilient.

Today, the rehabilitated Winn Dixie Stores, Inc. is currently ranked no. 22 in 2009 “Top 75 North American Food Retailers”. It is currently the 43rd largest retailer in the U.S., owns 521 stores, and with estimated sales of $7.4 billion in 2008.

Right now, the company is having a renewed success, maybe because of the collective effort from management and employees.

In their sites, Winn Dixie is offering varied and interesting positions for their retail stores, distribution centers (warehouse), pharmacist positions, and corporate positions. Their career site is also listing the many benefits an associate at Winn Dixie will enjoy: competitive wages, bonus programs for eligible positions and benefit programs.

They are also offering training programs, employee assistance program, paid vacations and holidays, Associate Rewards (a Winn Dixie-specific incentive program) a 401(k) program with company matching and more. (The details of all these are listed in the benefits information sheet.)

One unique offer for their Associates (the name for their employees) is a training program in retail management called Winn-Dixie University. The focus is on leadership development and core competencies to be able to take on top retail management roles.

The training includes ongoing professional development, tuition reimbursement and a scholarship program for all qualified candidates.

As their site says it, “…many of the company’s leaders began their Winn-Dixie careers with part-time, entry-level jobs. [But] by taking advantage of training and gaining hands-on experience, they worked their way up to leadership positions. ”

For the prospective job hunter, applying at Winn-Dixie needs some polishing your application letter. Have you looked at your résumé lately? How old is it? When was the last time you updated it to include your new skills, if any?

In another vein, try to “stand out from the crowd.” The key is to impress them enough with sincere, well-thought out words but clear and concise in their content. This will set your email apart from the usual things they read everyday.

In any case, it looks like a win-win situation for you and the store if you send out that Winn Dixie Stores online job application right now.