Grocery Store Interview Questions

If you are looking for Grocery Store Interview Questions you have come to the right place.

We all know interviews are stressful and competition is intense.

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

Here we will discuss how to successfully answer Grocery Store Job Interview Questions.

Grocery Store Interview Questions and Answers

1. Can you tell us about yourself?

• It’s okay to discuss your hobbies and interests; but, keep it brief. Try to focus on relevant work experience. Remember that having relevant work experience will put you ahead of the competition.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Why should we hire you?

• Have a second read of the job description and find the skills and experience required for the position.
• Next, match the skills required for the job to your skill set.
• Finally, reassure the interviewer you have the right skills.

Customer Service Interview Questions

5. 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.

6. Why do you feel 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.

7. How would you deal with an upset customer?

• Listen and let the customer vent.
• Show the customer you care.
• Don’t blame the customer or the company.
• Try to solve the problem or find someone who can.
• Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
• Finally, one must not take it personally.  If you get upset, you will take it out on future customers.

QUESTIONS REGARDING PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE

8. What would your previous boss say about you?

Stating your boss would describe you with any of the characteristics below is a great way to answer this question. 

• My boss would describe me as motivated, enthusiastic, respectful, curious, presentable, happy, honest, polite, smart, ambitious, high energy, hospitable, and conscientious.

9. What do you like most about your current or last job?

• Unfortunately, this could be a trick question where they ask about things you didn’t like in your previous job.
• The best answer is to say that you enjoyed everything about your last job; however, you feel that you have learned all you could in that role and are now looking for new challenges.

10. How was your attendance at your last job?

• Be honest when answering this question as the interviewer may check references.
• Emphasize that you understand the importance of starting your shift on time.

11. 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”.

12. Why is there a gap in your resume?

• The best approach when answering this question is to be honest because being truthful about your situation gives the employer a sense of your integrity and confidence.

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

13. Can you tell us about a time you went above and beyond for a customer?

• Customers love it when you go above and beyond for them, which will, in turn, generate more business. Try to think of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer. For example, when I was a server at a restaurant, we did not have a specific dessert in the restaurant. Luckily, the restaurant next door had it and I got it for the customer.   
• Here’s another example: I worked at a fast-food chain in my last job.  There was a senior citizen at the restaurant and he had finished his meal. The rain started, and he started to worry because he didn’t have an umbrella. Luckily, I had an umbrella, so I walked him to his car, sheltering him from the rain.

14. Name a time you disagreed with a co-worker and what was the outcome?

It is only natural to have conflict at work.  What is important is how you and your colleague come up with a positive outcome.  

For example, in my last job, I worked in retail. I was presenting inventory in the store differently than my manager told me as I felt my way was better for the customer.  My manager told me that the head office requires all stores to display inventory in a specific way.  I didn’t agree with him, however, he told me that a lot of studies are done to maximize sales.  I understand my mistake and now follow the layout as required by the head office.

15. Have you ever been in a situation where you had a big workload and felt overwhelmed? How did you deal with that?

• Describe the situation when you were overwhelmed.
• Describe the tasks that made you feel overwhelmed and then describe how you prioritized them.
• Let the interviewer know you were not afraid to ask for help.
• Finish with a positive outcome.

16. Could you tell me about a time your punctuality or attendance impacted your work?

• Everyone is late from time to time. Tell the interviewer about a time you were late and how it impacted your work, but also tell the interviewer how you reduced the impact on your work.
• For example, in my last job, I worked in retail. It was the holiday season and we were very busy. I was having car troubles and could not start my shift on time, so before I called my manager, I called in a colleague and asked if he could cover the time I would be late, which he could do. I then called my manager and told her that I would be late. She was grateful that I had found a replacement to cover the missed time and minimize the impact. Finally, state that you are rarely late and understand the importance of starting your shift on time.

ADDITIONAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

17. What motivates you?

18. 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.

19. How do you feel about standing for long periods?

• Most jobs in retail will require you to work on your feet for long periods. Tell the interviewer you do not have a problem with this. Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes with low heels, maintain good posture, and stay hydrated.

20. Why is a personal appearance so important?

• Personal appearance is very important since many roles at grocery stores are customer-facing.  Customers need to feel people dealing with food are hygienic which can be seen through personal appearance. 

21. How did you find this job?

• Personal appearance is very important since many roles at grocery stores are customer-facing.  Customers need to feel people dealing with food are hygienic which can be seen through personal appearance.  

22. If you could be one animal what would it be?

Possible Answers are

• Dogs show loyalty.
• Ants are hard workers and team players.
• Dolphins are smart.
• Elephants are strong.
• Gorilla is gentle but powerful, a good parent, and a good leader.

23. What are your salary expectations?

• This is a stressful question because if you ask for too much, you will not get the job, and if you ask for too little, they will happily underpay you.
• Be sure to research salary expectations for your role before you go into the interview. There are plenty of sites that discuss salary ranges.
• Ask about the salary range if you don’t know what to say.  You can then counter with the high end of the range.
• Note most entry-level jobs will pay minimum wage.

24. Why do you want to work in a supermarket?

• State you feel you have excellent communication skills which will allow you to work with other customers and other team members.
• Mention you would like a job that keeps you active.
• Say you would like to grow your career in retail.

QUESTIONS TO ASK AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

25. 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?

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A GROCERY STORE INTERVIEW?

• Learn as much as you can about the grocery store and ask yourself why you want to work there.  Ask yourself why would you work at this grocery store than at its competitors.  Perhaps this retailer offers better products and services than its competitors. 
• Review potential interview questions and think about how you will answer them from your own experience.  
• Think about where you see yourself in the future. Grocery Stores will want to hire people whose career goals align with the retail industry.  Perhaps you want to get into retail management?  Note if you want to work at a grocery store to pay for your education (and it does not fit into your long-term goals) that is fine but make sure you demonstrate that you are committed to working there for more than a few months.
• Be sure you know where you are going and how long it takes to get there. Go online and work out the easiest way to get there, then be sure to add on extra time so you are on time. The last thing you want is to arrive late.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO A GROCERY STORE INTERVIEW?

• A pen and paper to write.
• An extra copy of your resume (often the interviewer is busy and will forget to bring a copy of your resume).
• A list of questions you want to ask.
• Finally, bring a positive attitude.

GROCERY STORE CASHIER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Here are our top interview questions for grocery store cashier

• What experience do you have in retail?
• What hours can you work?
• Why do you want to be a cashier?
• How would you deal with an upset customer?
• How was your attendance at your last job?

WHAT TO WEAR TO A GROCERY STORE INTERVIEW?

See Also

• 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions (affiliate)
• The Interview Checklist
• General Interview Q&A
• The Behavioral Interview
• Interview Tips
• Search for Jobs