Tesco Interview Questions

Preparing thoroughly for a Tesco interview is a vital step towards securing a position with one of the leading retailers globally.

Tesco is renowned not only for its commitment to delivering exceptional products and services but also for its dedication to hiring and nurturing top talent.

Taking the time to prepare effectively demonstrates your genuine interest in the company and your commitment to becoming a valuable member of the Tesco team. Through preparation, you can showcase your skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm, ensuring that you make a lasting and positive impression during the interview process, setting the stage for a successful career at Tesco.

Please note these are practice interview questions and we are not affiliated with the company mentioned in this post.

TOP 10 Tesco Interview Questions

A Tesco interview should not be overly challenging, but if you are pressed for time, here are our top picks for questions you may be asked during the interview.

1. Can you tell us about your previous work experience?
2. What do you know about Tesco?
3. Why do you want to work for Tesco?
4. What customer service experience do you have?
5. Can you work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends?
6. Do you have any experience with cash handling or operating a cash register?
7. How do you stay organized when stocking shelves or managing inventory?
8. Are you comfortable with lifting heavy objects and standing for long periods?
9. Have you worked in a team-oriented environment before?
10. How do you prioritize tasks when the store is busy?

TESCO INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Can you tell us about yourself?

• Talk about your hobbies, previous work experience, and education. Keep your explanation brief and to the point.
• The most important factor is your previous work experience. If it’s relevant, you’ll have a competitive advantage.

2. Can you tell us about your previous work experience?

• If possible, discuss how your previous work experience relates to the job you’re applying for at Tesco.
• If this is your first job, you can state that you have been focusing on school and are now eager to prove yourself in the workforce.

3. Why do you want to work for Tesco?

• State that you love the product and service you receive at Tesco, and because of this, you would be happy to represent them
• Say you would also be proud to work for a company that is so focused on reducing food waste (Their food waste is under 1%).
• Mention you like the fact that Tesco promotes healthier living for their customers. For example, Tesco is the first retailer in the UK to give kids free fruit in their stores. Tesco has also removed sweets and chocolates from its checkouts across all its stores.

4. What hours can you work?

• The more flexible you are with your hours, the better your chance of getting hired, so be flexible!
• Let the interviewer know if you can work on weekends and holidays.

5. Why did you leave your last job?

Interviewers ask this question for the following reasons.

• Did you leave for a good reason?
• Did you leave voluntarily?
• Did you leave on good terms?
• What are your work values?

Here is a sample response

“I enjoyed my last job at Company XYZ, however, I felt growth was minimal and I was no longer learning. I want to explore new challenges”.

Facts about Tesco

6. What can you tell us about Tesco?

Interviewers ask this question to weed out applicants who are hoping to get an interview by randomly applying to hundreds of jobs. Instead, they want to meet with applicants who have done their research about the company. Here are a few facts about Tesco

About

• Tesco is one of the largest grocery retailers in the world.
• Jack Cohen founded Tesco in 1919 in a market stall in London.
• Tesco’s core purpose is to serve customers, communities, and the planet a little better every day.
• In addition to groceries, Tesco also sells clothing, insurance, petrol filling stations, and mobile pay-as-you-go services.
• The company is a leader in online grocery shopping and has seen a significant increase in demand for this service in recent years.
• Tesco won numerous awards for its products and services, including Grocer of the Year and Online Supermarket of the Year.

7. Who are Tesco’s competitors?

• Its competitors are Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, ASDA, and Morrisons.

Strengths and Weaknesses

8. What is your greatest strength?

• The best way to respond to this question is to describe the skills and experience that directly correlate with the job you are applying for. With this in mind, review the job description and reassure the interviewer that you have the experience and skills to do the job.

9. What is your greatest weakness?

• It would help if you did not deny you have a weakness or state strengths as a weakness. For example, do not say “I am a perfectionist” or “I work too hard and neglect my friends and family”. State a fault required for the role but not a dealbreaker if you don’t have it.
• When you state your weakness, make sure you say what you are doing to overcome that weakness. For example, I have a fear of public speaking and enrolled in a public speaking class to overcome my fear.

Customer Service Interview Questions

10. How would you deal with an upset customer?

• I would find out what is wrong with the customer. If it was the product I would offer to replace it (mention you would check with your manager first). State it is important to keep the customer happy as an unhappy customer will never return.
• If the customer was upset because they could not find a product, I would find it for them and not just point them in a general direction.
• Tip! Have a look at Tesco’s return policy and you can reference it when answering this question. For example, if a customer tries to return an item of clothing you can see if they can still return it by referencing the return policy.

11. How would you define excellent customer service?

• The staff is friendly and always willing to help the customer find what he or she needs.
• Customers are not waiting in line for long periods at checkout.
• The store display is well-kept and presented with adequate inventory.

12. Why do you believe customer service is so important?

Great customer service can

• Increase customer loyalty.
• Grow the amount of money each customer spends per visit.
• Increase how often a customer buys from you.
• Generate positive word-of-mouth about your business.

Additional Tesco Interview Questions

13. Where do you see yourself in five years?

• Tesco is a huge corporation and will have plenty of growth opportunities. Look at Tesco’s career website and find a job you can see yourself doing in five years.
• It’s OK if you don’t want to work at Tesco five years from now, however, not having any long-term goals will make you appear as if you lack motivation.  I would recommend you take a few minutes and find a career that fits you.  Possible ideas are retail management, IT, marketing, or accounting.

14. Why should I hire you?

• Review the job description and emphasize the skills they require. Tesco will seek strong communication, motivation, punctuality, and quick learning abilities.

15. How did you find this job?

• If possible, state you have been actively looking at Tesco’s website for jobs as you think it would be a fun and fast-paced place to work.
• If you know anybody who works there mention their name (assuming they will give you a good reference).

Questions to ask at the end of the interview

16. Questions to ask in a Tesco Interview?

No Tesco Interview Questions list would be complete without asking, “Do you have any questions for us” question.  Below are some suggested questions you can ask.

• What do you like best about working here?
• How do you describe your ideal candidate for this position?
• What about this position is the most important?
• How do you measure my success, and what could I do to meet your expectations?
• Which part of the position has the steepest learning curve? What can I do to get up to speed quickly?
• What opportunities will I have to learn and grow?

Top 5 Tesco Pharmacy Interview Questions

1. What inspired you to become a pharmacist?
2. Why should we hire you as our pharmacist?
3. How do you keep up to date in the pharmacy field?
4. How would you continue to give excellent customer service when the pharmacy becomes extremely busy?
5. Have you administered vaccines in the past?

Tesco colleague interview questions

1. Can you describe your experience in serving customers at checkouts and ensuring they have a seamless and personalized shopping experience? Share an example of a particularly challenging customer interaction and how you handled it.
2. How do you stay knowledgeable about the products and services offered in a supermarket?
3. How would you assist a customer who is looking for a specific product but is unsure about its location or details?
4. Can you share your approach to replenishing products within a store? How do you ensure that the shelves are well-stocked and organized?
5. In this role, you may be required to accept deliveries into the store. How do you ensure the accuracy of deliveries, and what safety precautions do you take when handling incoming stock?
6. Can you give an example of a time when you worked collaboratively within a team?
7. Punctuality and presentation are crucial in this role. How do you ensure that you are always on time and properly presented as a brand ambassador for the supermarket?
8. Can you describe your approach to creating rapport with customers? How do you ensure that customers leave the store having had a great shopping experience?

Tesco Interview What to Wear

To ace a Tesco interview, you need to dress smartly and impress the interviewer. Tesco values customer service, and they want their staff to look neat and professional. Follow these guidelines on how to dress for a Tesco interview:

• Business Casual Attire: Choose a business casual outfit such as slacks or skirts, a smart top or shirt, and formal shoes. Don’t wear anything too informal like denim or trainers.
• Conservative Colors: Choose conservative colors like black, navy, or gray for your attire. Avoid bright and bold colors or prints that might be distracting.
• Neat and Clean: Ensure that your clothes are clean, ironed, and free from wrinkles or stains. Make sure that your hair is neat and tidy, and avoid excessive makeup or jewelry.
• Comfortable Clothing: Wear clothes that are comfortable and allow you to move freely. This is especially important if the position you are applying for requires physical work or movement.
• Remember, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed for an interview. Dressing professionally shows that you take the job opportunity seriously and that you are ready to represent the company.

Tesco Interview Process

• The Interview Process typically begins with an initial application, followed by a thorough review of qualifications and experience. If your profile aligns with the position, you will be invited for an interview.
• During the interview, Tesco will assess your skills, experience, and how well you align with the company values.
• Depending on the role, you may also face situational or competency-based questions to gauge your problem-solving and interpersonal abilities.

How long are Tesco Interviews

• The length of interviews at Tesco can vary depending on several factors, including the position you’re applying for, the interviewer’s style, and the specific questions and discussions that arise during the interview. Generally, Tesco interviews can range from 30 minutes to an hour or more.

See Also

• The Interview Checklist
• General Interview Q&A
• The Behavioral Interview
• Search for Jobs