Whole Foods Interview

Congratulations on getting an interview at Whole Foods.

We all know interviews are stressful and competition is intense.

However, with a small amount of preparation you can ace the interview

Here you will find interview questions for Whole Foods.

We recommend you read our General Whole Foods Interview Questions and Answers section first but you can skip ahead and view by role.

Whole Foods Interview Questions by role

• Cashier Interview
• Bakery Interview
• Prepared Foods Interview
• Dishwasher Interview

General Whole Foods Interview Questions

Tell us about yourself?

• Talk about your hobbies, previous work experience, and education. Keep your explanation brief and to the point. They will be more interested in your work experience than anything else.

What can you tell us about Whole Foods Market?

About Whole Foods

• They were founded in 1980 in Austin Texas.
• They are known for selling natural and organic foods
• Whole Foods Market expanded into Canada in 2002 and the United Kingdom in 2004.
• More Info on Whole Foods.
• Think you know a lot about Whole Foods? Try our Whole Foods Trivia Quiz and see how you do.

Why do you want to work for Whole Foods?

• Tell them you would be proud to work for a company that promotes organic food. Organic food tastes great, it is safer to eat as there are no pesticides, and organic food protects the environment (no chemicals get into our food chain)
• If you are going to college tell them and let them know you think working at whole foods is a great way to pay for school.

What are Whole Foods Core Values?

Whole Foods Core Values are:

• Sell the highest-quality natural and organic products available.
• Satisfy, delight, and nourish our customers.
• Support team member excellence and happiness.
• Create wealth through profits and growth.
• Serve and support our local and global communities.
• Practice and advance environmental stewardship.
• Create ongoing win-win partnerships with our suppliers.
• Promote the health of our stakeholders through healthy eating education.

What is your greatest strength?

• I am a quick learner (this is a great answer because they will have to spend less time training you) or
• I work well under pressure (this is a great answer because all Whole Foods can get very busy and you need to stay focused during this time)

What is your greatest weakness?

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) it is important to keep the customer happy as an unhappy customer will never return. If the customer was having trouble locating a particular item in the store I would walk over and locate it for them.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

• If going to college or university state what you would like to be doing after you finish.
• If you would like to stay at Whole Foods, look for jobs you can see yourself doing in there in five years (this way you would sound like you are not a “job hopper”).

Why should I hire you?

• I work hard, I am a quick learner, and I am punctual.

Do you have any questions for us?

• 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?

Whole Foods Interview Tips

• Arrive 10 minutes early.
• Research salaries on the internet before your interview.
• Don’t speak too fast as you will sound nervous.
• Make good eye contact
• Have good body posture to prevent you from mumbling.

What to wear to a Whole Foods Interview?

• If you are interviewing for an entry-level position then dress business casually.
• If you are interviewing for a management position then dress formally.
• Remember you want to look like someone who can handle food, so if you have long hair wear it back. Don’t wear jewelry and cover any tattoos.  Guys make sure you are cleanly shaven.

---

Whole Foods Interview Questions Cashier

Tell us about your previous work experience?

• They want to hear about how your previous work experience relates to the experience of a cashier. If you have experience dealing with customers, working in a grocery store, or working with cash mention that first.
• If you don’t have any experience and this is your first job tell them you have been focusing on school and now you are anxious to prove yourself.

Why do you want to be a cashier?

•  Say you would like a job that keeps you active.
• Say you enjoy working with customers.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

• Have a look at other Whole Foods Jobs and find a position you can see yourself doing in five years.

Why should I hire you?

For this question, you want to want to reread the job description and find key skills they are looking for and tell the interviewer that you have those skills.

• Excellent communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team; ability to communicate effectively with customers (skill: communication).
• Can follow instructions and procedures (skill: attention to detail).
• Ability to learn about natural and organic foods and products (skill: quick learner)
• Effective time management skills (skill: time management)

So when asked why should I hire you I would say

• Say you have excellent communication skills which will allow you to work well in a team and communicate effectively with customers.
• State you pay great attention to detail and will always follow instructions and procedures well.
• Mention you are a quick learner and will easily learn about natural and organic foods.
• Finally, say you have excellent time management skills.

Do you have any questions for us?

• What type of training do cashiers receive?

---

Whole Foods Bakery Interview Questions

Tell us about your previous work experience?

• They want to hear how your related work experience matches the position you are applying to. So if you have experience in dealing with customers, working in a bakery, or setting up displays mention that first.
• If this is your first job tell them you have been focusing on school and now you are ready to prove yourself in the workforce.

Why do you want to be a baker?

• Say you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
• Say you enjoy baking and working in a team.
• You can also mention you love the quality that the Whole Foods Bakery Provides to its customers.

Why should I hire you?

For this question, you need to need to reread the job description and find key skills they are looking for and restate those skills. After rereading the job description below this is what I found

• As a member of our Bakery Team, your role will include setting and maintaining attractive bakery displays, preparing and serving products and supporting the regional Bakery vision (skill: attention to detail)
• You will ensure a positive company image by providing courteous, friendly, and efficient customer service to customers and team members. (skill: people skills, teamwork)
• Operate equipment and serve product in a variety of Bakery department areas, which may include slicing and wrapping bread, coffee roasting and sales, scooping and serving gelato, barista duties, and preparing juiced and blended drinks.(skill: quick learner)

So when asked why should I hire you I would state:

• Say you pay great attention to detail and will always maintain an attractive bakery display and ensure supplies are well stocked.
• State you have great people skills and you are a team member and will always inflict positive energy with all the people you interact with including customers and coworkers.
• State you are am a quick learner and will be able to quickly learn any bakery equipment or prepare any specialty items such as drinks, and operate any cash handling procedures.

Questions to ask for on a Whole Foods Bakery Interview?

• What type of training do Bakers receive?

---

Prepared Foods Interview Questions

Tell us about your previous work experience?

For this question, they want to know how your previous work experience matches the experience required for this job at Whole Foods.  Below is the experience I found when reading the job description.

• Previous kitchen, culinary, deli, restaurant, kitchen management, cooking or customer service experience preferred (experience: kitchen, cooking, customer service).
• Ability to sell proactively. (experience: sales)

So if you have experience working in a kitchen, cooking, working with customers or in sales now is the time to mention it.

If this is your first job tell them you have been focusing on school and now you are ready to prove yourself in the workforce.

Why do you want to be a Prepared Foods Service Team Member?

• Say you would like a job that will keep you active.
• Say you enjoy the products Whole Foods produces and would be proud to represent them.

Why should I hire you?

For this question, you need to look at the job description and find key skills they are looking for and match those skills to yours.   Here are the skills they are looking for.

• Excellent communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team; ability to communicate effectively with customers (skill: communication and teamwork).
• Able to follow instructions and procedures (skill: attention to detail).
• Ability to learn basic knowledge of all products carried in the department (skill: quick learner).
• Effective time management skills (skill: time management).

So when asked why should I hire you I would say

• Say you have excellent communication skills and will work well with customers.
• State you will always help out other team members.
• Mention you pay great attention to detail and will always follow instructions and procedures accurately.
• Say you are am a quick learner and will require little supervision.
• Finally, say you have excellent time management skills and will be able to manage your tasks without issue.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

•  Have a look at Whole Foods Jobs and find a career you can see yourself doing in five years.

What salary are you looking for?

• You can always flip the question and ask what is the salary range.

---

Dishwasher Interview

Tell us about your previous work experience?

• They want to hear how your related work experience matches the position you are applying to. So if you have experience in working as a dishwasher, working in a restaurant, or cleaning mention that first.
• If this is your first job tell them you have been focusing on school and now you are ready to prove yourself in the workforce.

Why do you want to be a Dishwasher?

• If you are going to college say you think working as a dishwasher is a great way to pay for school.
• Say you would like to find a job that keeps you active.
• Say you would like to work in a fast-paced environment.

Why should I hire you?

For this question, you need to reread the job description and find key skills they are looking for and match those skills to your own. After rereading the job description, below this is what I found

• As a dishwasher, you will be responsible for ensuring that our production teams have sanitary tools and workspaces (skill: attention to detail).
• Good interpersonal skills and willingness to work as part of a team. (skill: teamwork)
• Strong work ethic and integrity. (skill: hard working)

So when asked why should I hire you I would state:

• Say you pay great attention to detail and will make sure all workspaces have sanitary tools and items they need to get their work done.
• State you work well as an individual or in a team
• Finally, say you have a strong work ethic and will work quickly to get the job done.

Do you have any questions for us?

• What type of training do dishwashers receive?
• What hours will I work?

---

See Also:

• Search for Jobs
• Whole Foods Interview Cheatsheet
• 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions – Affiliate