Key Takeaways
- Polaris uses Workday as its ATS — optimize your resume for clean parsing and include role-specific keywords directly from the job description to maximize visibility.
- With only approximately 43+ open positions at any given time, competition for Polaris roles can be intense — tailor every application specifically to the role rather than submitting generic materials.
- Demonstrating genuine passion for powersports, outdoor recreation, and Polaris products is commonly reported as a meaningful differentiator throughout the hiring process.
- Manufacturing, engineering, and operations roles dominate Polaris's job postings — highlight relevant technical skills, certifications (Six Sigma, PMP, APICS), and quantified achievements in these areas.
- Polaris has a collaborative, innovation-driven culture rooted in Midwestern values — prepare for interviews that assess both technical competence and cultural fit.
- Internship opportunities at Polaris span unique disciplines including clay sculpting and CMF/graphics design — creative candidates should prepare portfolios and be ready to discuss their design process.
- Complete your Workday profile thoroughly, including all optional fields, to improve your chances of being found by recruiters conducting filtered candidate searches.
About Polaris
Application Process
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1
Explore Open Positions on the Polaris Careers Page
Begin by visiting the official Polaris careers portal hosted on Workday at polaris.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/PolarisJobs. With approximately 15 active job postings at any given time, the openings can be competitive and may change frequently. Use the search filters to narrow results by job category (engineering, manufacturing, operations, internships, corporate), location, and job type (full-time, intern, hourly). Carefully read each job description, noting required qualifications, preferred skills, and specific responsibilities. Polaris posts roles ranging from hands-on manufacturing positions like Assembly Operator to specialized engineering roles and creative internships like Clay Sculpting Intern, so understanding the specific requirements for your target role is essential before applying.
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2
Create or Log Into Your Workday Candidate Profile
Polaris uses Workday as its applicant tracking system, so you will need to create a candidate profile on their Workday portal. This typically involves entering your contact information, work history, education, and uploading your resume. Workday commonly allows you to auto-populate fields by parsing your uploaded resume, but you should always review and correct any auto-filled information for accuracy. Consider linking your LinkedIn profile if the option is available, as this can streamline the process. Save your login credentials, as you will use this same profile to track application status, apply to additional roles, and respond to any recruiter communications.
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3
Tailor Your Resume and Submit Your Application
Before submitting, customize your resume to align with the specific Polaris role you are targeting. Mirror the language and keywords found in the job description — for example, if the posting mentions 'continuous improvement,' 'lean manufacturing,' or 'demand and supply planning,' incorporate those exact phrases where they authentically apply to your experience. Complete all required fields in the Workday application form, including any supplemental questions about work authorization, willingness to relocate, or relevant certifications. Attach a tailored cover letter if the option is provided, particularly for corporate, engineering, or leadership roles where demonstrating cultural fit and passion for the powersports industry can differentiate you.
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4
Phone or Video Screening with Recruiting Team
Many applicants report that after an initial application review, qualified candidates are typically contacted by a Polaris recruiter or talent acquisition specialist for a phone or video screening. This conversation commonly lasts 20-45 minutes and focuses on verifying your background, understanding your interest in Polaris, discussing salary expectations, and assessing basic role fit. Be prepared to articulate why you are interested in Polaris specifically — demonstrating knowledge of their product lines (RZR, Ranger, Indian Motorcycle, Slingshot, etc.) and company values can make a strong impression. The recruiter may also discuss logistics such as location, start date flexibility, and any relocation considerations.
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5
Hiring Manager and Technical Interviews
Candidates who advance past the recruiter screen are typically invited to interview with the hiring manager and potentially other team members. For engineering and technical roles (such as Investigation and Continuous Improvement Engineer or Manufacturing Facilities Engineer), expect technical questions related to problem-solving methodologies, lean/Six Sigma principles, CAD proficiency, or specific domain expertise. For operations and leadership roles like DC Department Leader, behavioral interview questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) are commonly reported. Some positions may include a panel interview or a practical assessment. Internship candidates may have a more streamlined process with one or two interview rounds.
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6
On-Site Visit or Final Interview Round
For many full-time positions, particularly those at manufacturing facilities or corporate headquarters, Polaris may invite finalists for an on-site visit. This commonly includes a facility tour, meetings with cross-functional team members, and potentially a presentation or case study exercise for senior or specialized roles. This is also an opportunity for you to evaluate the work environment, team dynamics, and company culture firsthand. For hourly manufacturing roles like Assembly Operator, the process may be more condensed, potentially including a skills assessment or physical requirements evaluation.
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7
Offer, Background Check, and Onboarding
Successful candidates typically receive a verbal offer followed by a formal written offer through the Workday system. Polaris commonly conducts background checks and may require drug screening, particularly for manufacturing and operations roles. Review the offer carefully, including compensation, benefits, relocation assistance if applicable, and start date. Once accepted, you will likely receive onboarding instructions through Workday, including new hire paperwork, orientation scheduling, and any pre-employment requirements such as safety training certifications for plant-based roles.
Resume Tips for Polaris
Incorporate Powersports and Manufacturing Industry Keywords
Polaris operates in the powersports and motor vehicles industry, so your resume should reflect relevant industry terminology. Include keywords such as 'powersports,' 'vehicle assembly,' 'OEM,' 'product lifecycle management,' 'NPI (new product introduction),' 'lean manufacturing,' 'Six Sigma,' 'continuous improvement,' 'supply chain,' and 'quality assurance' where they genuinely apply to your experience. Workday's ATS will commonly parse and index these terms, and recruiters searching for candidates within the system often use industry-specific keywords to filter applicant pools.
Use a Clean, ATS-Compatible Resume Format
Workday's resume parser works best with straightforward formatting. Use standard section headings like 'Work Experience,' 'Education,' 'Skills,' and 'Certifications.' Avoid tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers with critical information, and complex graphics that may not parse correctly. Stick to common fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Save your file as a .docx or .pdf (Workday typically accepts both). Ensure your contact information is in the main body of the document, not in a header, as some ATS parsers may miss header content.
Quantify Achievements with Metrics Relevant to Manufacturing and Operations
Polaris values results-driven professionals, particularly in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain roles. Instead of listing responsibilities, quantify your impact: 'Reduced production line downtime by 22% through implementation of predictive maintenance program,' 'Managed inventory planning for 3,500+ SKUs across 4 distribution centers,' or 'Led continuous improvement project that saved $150K annually in material waste.' For internship applicants, include relevant academic projects with measurable outcomes, such as design competition results or capstone project specifications.
Highlight Relevant Technical Skills and Certifications
Depending on the role, Polaris commonly seeks candidates with specific technical competencies. For engineering roles, mention proficiency in tools like SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, MATLAB, or relevant simulation software. For manufacturing and operations roles, highlight experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle), lean tools (5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping), and any relevant certifications (PMP, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, APICS CPIM/CSCP). For creative roles like Clay Sculpting Intern or CMF & Graphics Intern, include portfolio links and mention proficiency in tools like Alias, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, or Keyshot.
Demonstrate Passion for Outdoor Recreation and Polaris Products
Polaris has a strong culture centered around the outdoor lifestyle and the products they build. If you have personal experience with powersports vehicles, outdoor recreation, motorsports, or related hobbies, consider mentioning this briefly in a summary statement or interests section. This is not a substitute for qualifications, but many applicants report that demonstrating genuine enthusiasm for the brand and its mission can help differentiate candidates, particularly for customer-facing roles like Dealer Support Representative.
Tailor Your Resume for Each Specific Role
Given that Polaris posts a relatively small number of active positions (approximately 15 at a time), each opening is likely to attract focused competition. Avoid submitting a generic resume. Instead, carefully align your resume's summary, skills section, and experience bullet points with the specific job description. If the role emphasizes 'demand and supply planning,' lead with your forecasting and planning experience. If it's a maintenance supervisor role, prioritize your leadership experience in industrial maintenance environments. This targeted approach improves both ATS keyword matching and recruiter engagement.
Include Location Flexibility and Work Authorization Clearly
Polaris operates manufacturing plants and offices across multiple U.S. locations including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Alabama, and others. If you are open to relocation or are already located near a Polaris facility, state this clearly on your resume or in the Workday application fields. For international candidates, clearly indicate your work authorization status, as manufacturing roles in particular may have specific requirements. This transparency helps recruiters quickly assess logistics and can prevent delays in the screening process.
ATS System: Workday
Polaris uses Workday Recruiting as its applicant tracking system, hosted at polaris.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com. Workday is one of the most widely used enterprise ATS platforms and handles the entire candidate lifecycle from application submission to onboarding. When you apply, Workday parses your uploaded resume to auto-populate profile fields, stores your candidate record for recruiter search and review, and manages all communication and scheduling throughout the hiring process. Recruiters at Polaris can search the candidate database using keywords, filters, and screening criteria, making it essential that your profile and resume are optimized for discoverability within the system.
- Always review and correct auto-populated fields after Workday parses your resume — the parser may misinterpret dates, job titles, or company names, and inaccurate profile data can hurt your candidacy.
- Use standard resume formatting without tables, columns, or graphics to ensure Workday's parser accurately extracts your information. Plain .docx or simple .pdf formats typically work best.
- Include exact keywords and phrases from the job description in your resume and profile, as Workday allows recruiters to search and filter candidates by specific terms and qualifications.
- Complete all optional fields in your Workday profile, including skills, certifications, and education details — a more complete profile increases your visibility when recruiters run filtered searches.
- After applying, you can log back into your Workday candidate portal to check your application status, which typically updates as your application moves through different review stages.
- If you apply to multiple Polaris positions, your Workday profile carries over, but ensure your resume and responses are tailored to each specific role rather than using identical materials for every application.
Interview Culture
Polaris is commonly described as having a collaborative, down-to-earth interview culture that reflects its Midwestern roots and passion for the outdoors.
What Polaris Looks For
- Passion for powersports, outdoor recreation, and the Polaris brand and product portfolio
- Strong problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset (lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen)
- Hands-on technical aptitude and willingness to work in manufacturing or field environments
- Collaborative team players who communicate effectively across cross-functional groups
- Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing and product development environments
- Leadership capability with a focus on safety, quality, and operational excellence
- Innovation-oriented thinking with the ability to bring creative solutions to engineering and design challenges
- Strong analytical skills, particularly for supply chain, planning, and data-driven decision-making roles
- Customer-centric mindset, especially for dealer-facing and support roles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find and apply for jobs at Polaris?
What types of roles does Polaris typically hire for?
What ATS does Polaris use, and how should I optimize my application for it?
How long does the Polaris hiring process typically take?
Does Polaris offer internship programs?
What should I wear to a Polaris interview?
Does Polaris require relocation for most positions?
How can I stand out as a candidate for Polaris?
Sample Open Positions
Related Resources
Similar Companies
Sources
- Polaris Inc. Official Careers Page — Polaris Inc.
- Polaris Inc. Corporate Website - About Us — Polaris Inc.
- Polaris Inc. Investor Relations — Polaris Inc.
- Workday Recruiting - How It Works for Candidates — Workday, Inc.
- Polaris Inc. on LinkedIn — LinkedIn
