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TARGET INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Target

Target Interview Questions
Target Interview Questions

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

We all know interviews can be overwhelming, but with the right preparation, you can ace the interview.

Here we will discuss how to answer Interview Questions at one of America’s best-known retailers.

Note that these are practice questions; we’re not affiliated with the mentioned company.

SKIP TO

Target Interview Process

The interview process starts with a Hirevue interview at Target.  Hirevue interview is a video interview.  You need to respond to a set of questions in a written text by providing a video response.

HireVue Interview Tips

  1. Find a place with minimal distractions.
  2. The interview starts with a practice question. This practice question allows you to position your camera and fine-tune your first impression.
  3. For the actual interview question, if you don’t like your answer recorded, you can retake it.  Target gives interviews three attempts in their video response. 

Target Interview Stats

Behavioral interview questions are by far the most common type of interview questions at Target. To derive this statistic, we analyzed over 100 interview questions from Reddit and YouTube for store-level positions.

Sources: Reddit and Youtube

  • Behavioral – Behavioral Interview Questions are questions about how you handled a specific situation at your last job.
  • Experience – Questions about your previous work experience.
  • Situational – Given a situation how would you handle it?
  • About Target – What do you know about the company? What makes Target great?
  • Skills – Do you have the right skills for the job?
  • Inclusion – What can you bring to Target’s diverse work culture?
  • Reflection – These are self-assessment questions or evaluating your abilities.

Experience

1. Explain your interest in the position and detail your relevant knowledge and experiences.

Read the job description and find out what interests you about the position. Also, find the nice to have or required experiences and match them to your own if you do not have any work experience try and relate your answers to what you learned at school. For example, does the job require working under pressure or multitasking? In school, you get skills in multitasking and working under tight deadlines, which is relevant work experience.

2. Can you tell us about working in a team?

Review your resume and find a time you worked well in a team. If you don’t have actual on-the-job teamwork experience then think of times you worked well in a team in school. They may also ask you about a time you had a conflict on a team. Having conflict is fine but make sure the situation ends positively. For example, suppose a team member caused frustration by always arriving late for group meetings. You addressed the issue, by explaining the importance of punctuality. The individual apologized, and the team regained its focus and increased its productivity.

3. What is your experience with customers?

Discuss previous work experience with customers. State your view is that the customer is always right and never badmouth the customer on the interview.

About Target Corporation

4. What do you know about Target Corporation?

About Target

  • Target is an upscale discount retailer in the U.S.
  • The headquarters are in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • George Dayton founded Target and the first store opened in 1962 in the Minneapolis suburb of Roseville.
  • Their slogan is: expect more, pay less.
  • “Bullseye” the dog is the name of their mascot.
  • CVS Health acquired Target’s pharmacy division.
  • Target’s credit card is called Target RedCard.
  • Target also offers the Target Debit Card.
  • Try our Target Interview Preparation Quiz and see how you do!

5. Who are Target’s Competitors?

Understanding Target’s competitors will also show your understanding of the retail industry.

Sample Answer: “Target’s competitors include Walmart, Amazon, Home Depot, Kroger, Costco, Kmart, Lowe’s, Sam’s Club, Best Buy, and Aldi.”

6. What are Target’s values?

A company’s values drive performance. While defining values is relatively straightforward, ingraining them into a company’s culture can be challenging. Therefore, demonstrating your understanding of Target’s values will impress the interviewer. 

Inclusivity – “We value diverse voices and approaches. We act with authenticity and respect. We create equitable experiences for all.”

Connection – “We build trusted relationships. We collaborate across business functions. We recognize and celebrate progress.”

Drive – “We do what is right for Target, our team, and guests. We deliver results that matter. We continually learn by valuing progress over perfection.”.

7. Why do you want to work at Target?

According to Novoresume, interviewers ask this question to see if your career goals align with the position. Considering that Target holds an industry leadership position in retail and all positions relate to retail, why not state that you want to grow your career in this field?

Sample Answer: “I want to join Target to advance my career in retail, and given Target is an industry leader, it aligns with my career goals. I appreciate the company’s commitment to providing a great customer experience— from Bullseye Playground to Goodfellow & Co., I feel Target offers exceptional value at an affordable price. Additionally, I commend Target for giving 5% of its profits to communities in cash, products, and through the Target Foundation. Finally, I respect Target’s goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.”

Inclusion

Inclusion

Inclusion is defined as, “The practice of including and accommodating people who often face discrimination and exclusion due to race, gender, ability, sexuality, or identity”. Target prides itself on embracing diversity and strives to give everyone access to rewarding opportunities.  

8. How do you work with people who have different perspectives than your own? Describe a situation, your actions, and the outcome.

Sample Answer: “In my previous job, I worked for a small grocery store. We had different opinions about how a section should lay out its meats. The customers had the options of standard, plant-based, and halal meats. Given we three types of meats, we were able to test three different layouts. The layout chosen was the layout with the best sales.”

Target Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral Interview Questions are questions about how you handled a specific situation at your last job. For example, “Tell us about a time you had a conflict at work and what was the outcome?”

Our research suggests, over 50% of questions are behavioral-style questions.

Successful candidates will use the STAR method when answering these

This involves

  • Situation: Describing the situation which involves an accomplishment or a problem
  • Task: What task did you perform in the situation
  • Action: What steps did you take to address the situation?
  • Result: Describe the achieved outcome that needs to be positive.

TIP!

Before you start reviewing behavioral interview questions ask yourself the following

  1. What accomplishments are you most proud of in school or your last job?
  2. When have you worked in a team? How did you manage conflict in your team?
  3. Have you worked in customer service? How did you deal with a difficult customer?
  4. Think of a time you displayed leadership
  5. Discuss a high-pressure situation you have experienced. What was the outcome?

Attention to Detail

9. Can you tell when you showed good attention to detail?

Sample Answer: “In my last job I worked at a casual upscale restaurant. My manager told me in the restaurant business presentation is everything and the food must look great. I always made sure food was well presented even when I was working under pressure.”

Conflict Resolution

10. Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?

Sample Answer: “In my previous sales associate role, I faced challenges with a team member who was unresponsive and uncooperative, causing delays. I had a one-on-one conversation, learned they were dealing with personal issues, listened empathetically, and suggested they speak with our manager. After our talk, they became more responsive, and we worked together more effectively.”

11. Tell me about a time you were able to keep a friendly demeanor with someone upset or angry.

Sample Answer: “In my last job, I worked as a CSR at a popular online retailer. A customer had called upset their package had taken longer than expected. They were especially upset because the package was for their child’s birthday and it was not going to make it on time. I sympathized and apologized to the customer and maintained a friendly demeanor. I explained to her that she must order the item before a specific date during the holiday season. But, I was able to offer a discount on their next order. The customer was grateful for the discount and realized she had ordered the product too late for it to arrive on time.”

12. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a co-worker or peer about a goal.

Sample Answer: “My last job was in retail, where my co-worker and I had to put in extra hours to manage inventory. As a student, I required time to prepare for final exams, and my co-worker, who had a small child, was unable to work extra hours as well. I met with my co-worker and showed her my exam schedule. My co-worker told me when she could get someone to look after her child. We looked at the hours the retailer needed us to cover, and together we came up with a plan that would cover those hours.”

13. Give a situation where you did not agree with your supervisor, how did you handle it?

Sample Answer: “I worked at a popular fast-food chain, and my supervisor wanted orders out faster. The problem was that many orders were made to order, and if we rushed, there would be a larger volume of mistakes. I demonstrated to my supervisor that most customer complaints resulted from errors in fulfilling made-to-order requests. My supervisor and I both agreed that made-to-order requests should be done at a slower pace as returned orders will result in longer wait times.”

Communication Skills

14. Talk about a time you changed someone’s mind or convinced them to come around to your way of thinking.

Sample Answer: “In my previous job, I worked at a popular restaurant. I proposed team members arrive 15 minutes early to meet rush hour demands. A co-worker didn’t think it was fair to start a shift 15 minutes early and not get paid. I argued an early start would improve shift transitions and boost teamwork efficiency. The reluctant co-worker embraced the idea of starting 15 minutes early when he realized it prevented delays in shift handovers and reduced his own late departures.”

15. Tell me about a time you tried to sell a customer, teammate, or someone else an idea, product, or service.

Sample Answer: “I worked in a bookstore and met a customer who loved reading. The problem was, she had a newborn child and didn’t have time to read. I then asked her if she ever gets any time to go to the grocery store by herself, and she said she did, and that’s when her husband watched the baby. I then recommended audiobooks to the customer and suggested that she could listen to them on the way to the grocery store. I suggested she listen to audiobooks during her grocery store trips and other errands while her husband watched the baby. She was grateful for the recommendation and bought her first audiobook.”

16. Can you discuss a time when you vibed with a guest?

Sample Answer: “In my previous job as a server at a restaurant, I served a table where a mother and two young children sat. I noticed the children were energetic while the mother seemed tired. I connected with the customer by sharing that, like her, I have children. I mentioned that I appreciate the break from cooking for them and enjoy taking them to a restaurant. I then offered to give the two children a kitchen tour to show them how we made their food, providing the mother with a five-minute break, and she was very grateful.”

Customer Service

17. Can you tell us about when you went above and beyond for a customer?

Sample Answer: ” 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.”

18. Can you tell me about when you kept a cool head under pressure?

Sample Answer: “As a student, I am always working under pressure. This semester, I had five final exams and a 20-page essay to complete. Since all tasks have equal priority, I dealt with them as they came. In this situation, there is no substitute for hard work. I have learned that one must stay calm when working under pressure because panicking will not lead to success.”

19. Tell me about a time you exceeded expectations by anticipating someone’s needs.

Sample Answer: “In my last job in retail, I saw a woman who was looking at various aisles in the toy section. I asked her if there was anything I could help her with. She was looking for a present for her son’s friend’s birthday party. She didn’t know what to get so I asked her what age her son’s friend was. I then asked her what she was looking to spend. I was able to show her popular toys in that age group and the prices she was looking to spend. She found an appropriate gift in her price range and thanked me for the service I provided.”

20. Talk about a time you provided an excellent guest experience.

Sample Answer: “In my last job, I worked in the kitchen at a popular restaurant. A customer ordered a dessert that we no longer offered. The restaurant next door had the customer’s desired dessert, so we got it for them. Even though we didn’t make any money selling this item, we knew that by going the extra mile for the customer, positive word of mouth would spread about the amazing customer service.”

Leadership

21. How did you lead individuals on your team to build and develop skills for success?

Sample Answer: “In my last job, I managed several warehouse associates. We packed, shipped, and received goods. During onboarding, I had new employees shadow other warehouse associates for the first two days until they felt comfortable working independently. I led by example, assisting others when needed, ensuring goods were not damaged, and arriving early to start on time.”

22. Describe how you create a sense of belonging for diverse perspectives on your team.

Sample Answer: “In my previous position, I interacted with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Frequently, certain ethnic groups organized holiday gatherings in the form of potluck events. I consistently made an effort to attend these gatherings, and as a result, I felt that I formed stronger bonds with other team members.”

23. Describe how you led a team to drive impactful results for the organization.

Sample Answer: “I served as a call center lead for a sales department at a large mobile carrier. Our primary task was to contact customers and encourage them to upgrade their phones to a new plan. I played a crucial role in coaching the team on the sales script and motivating them during these calls. Thanks to effective leadership, we met our sales targets.”

24. When you did the right thing even when it was difficult.

Sample Answer: “I worked at a restaurant as a lead line cook and completed my afternoon shift. The evening dishwasher called in sick, and the restaurant didn’t have a replacement. Although I had plans to meet my friends that night and was looking forward to it, I offered to take on a double shift as the team would have been negatively impacted without a dishwasher.”

25. When you’ve taken charge.

Sample Answer: “When I was a student, we worked on a group project about internet marketing. After electing a leader, she organized meeting times for the group and divided the work among the team, ensuring completion. Unfortunately, she became sick and would be out for the month. I volunteered to take the lead in delegating tasks and setting up meetings. The group agreed, and we completed our internet marketing project.”

26. Describe a time when you handled a difficult employee, and what was the outcome?

Sample Answer: “In my previous job, I served as the team lead for a stocking position at a supermarket. One of the employees under my supervision always arrived late, left early, and spent excessive time socializing. I had a conversation with the employee about their punctuality, early departures, and excessive socializing. I emphasized the need for improvement and informed them that I would watch their performance closely. Additionally, I scheduled another meeting in two weeks to assess progress. My approach is that every employee should be aware of areas where they need improvement. If there is no improvement, it is necessary to let them go. The employee did improve their performance.”

High-Pressure Situations

27. Describe a situation where you had to meet a tight deadline. How did you make sure you completed the task on time?

Sample Answer: “In a previous role, we faced a tight deadline for a store’s promotional display. I prioritized tasks, managed time efficiently, collaborated closely with my team, and addressed challenges promptly. Through effective teamwork and adaptability, we completed the setup on schedule.”

Problem Solving and Adaptability

28. Describe a challenging situation you faced at work and how you handled it.

Sample Answer: “In my previous position as a cashier, we had a rule allowing customers to use only one coupon per visit. One day, a customer approached me with a request to use two coupons in a single visit. I explained our policy to her, which led to her becoming upset. I noticed that one of the items she wanted would be on sale the following week. I suggested she return next week to buy the item on sale. She wasn’t thrilled with the answer to return, but she left less upset.”

29. What did you do when your schedule/plan was disrupted?

Sample Answer: “I used to work at a fast-food restaurant, and one day, we ran out of an essential ingredient. In the restaurant business, the timing of food preparation is key, especially to be ready for lunch and evening rushes. Fortunately, as the restaurant was part of a chain, we could call another branch in a different part of the city to get the missing ingredients. Luckily, the lunch and dinner rushes were not disrupted.”

30. Describe a time you turned a situation around with your attitude.

Sample Answer: “I worked at a restaurant, and the staff felt there weren’t enough people to cover the lunchtime rush. They were stressed because the food at the restaurant had to be delivered on time. Despite the pressure, I never showed stress and always projected a calm and positive attitude. I encouraged other team members to do the same, and soon those who were stressed became less so.”

31. Tell me about a time you had to make a major change to your daily routine or re-prioritize something.

Sample Answer: “Last year in college, I enrolled in the maximum number of courses per semester while also juggling a part-time job. I realized my lack of preparedness for midterms, and I often found myself cramming at the last minute for exams. Recognizing the need for better planning to manage my workload, I decided to take a more organized approach. I obtained a calendar and scheduled specific times to start studying for each exam. When finals arrived, I was much better prepared, and my grades improved.”

32. Describe how you handled/prioritized tasks of varying importance.

Sample Answer: “In my previous role at a fast-food chain, I managed food inventory and prepared customer orders. I prioritized customer orders over inventory. But, we always made sure our inventory was fully stocked levels during downtimes so we were ready for the rushour.”

33. When you made a mistake, how did you handle it?

Sample Answer: “In my last job, I worked as a stocker at a popular retailer. I made a mistake in the way I displayed the products. I did not follow the retailer’s diagram illustrating the ideal placement of products on shelves. When my manager discovered this, he instructed me to restock the shelves. I took the opportunity to learn from my mistake, reviewed the diagram, and rearranged the inventory on the shelves as specified.”

34. Tell us about a time you solved a problem between co-workers.

Sample Answer: “In my last job at a restaurant, we did a large amount of food preparation before opening for lunch. One co-worker expressed feeling burdened with a heavier workload compared to another. Sensing the tension, I spoke with the co-worker handling less food prep. He mentioned extra tasks like checking and receiving inventory, adding to his workload. I shared this with the co-worker doing most of the food prep and offered more help. Effective communication resolved the problem of co-worker tension.”

35. How did you handle problems resolving customers?

Sample Answer: “In my last job, I worked in retail. Often, customers couldn’t find the product they were looking for. I understood that new customers wouldn’t know the store layout as well as repeat customers. So, I prioritized making mental notes of product locations so I could locate them at a moment’s notice.”

36. When was a time you had to step up to solve a problem?

Sample Answer: “In college, I was part of a group project where we nominated a leader who later decided to drop the class. I volunteered to take on the role, and once nominated, I became the leader of the project. This involved assigning tasks and leading group meetings to track our progress. The group project was a success, and I stepped up without anyone asking me.”

37. Describe a situation in your life when something changed suddenly.

Sample Answer: “When I was in college, my father fell ill, so I had to take a year off to help support the family. Luckily, my father recovered, and I was able to return to school. This sudden change taught me resilience, hope, and adaptability.“

Self-Reflection and Growth

38. Example of a time you made a mistake and then what steps you took to make it right?

Sample Answer: “In my last job, I was a server at a restaurant. I was new to the role and initially believed I could handle my section of the restaurant alone. As the lunch rush progressed, I found it challenging to keep up with customer requests, and as a result, the service suffered. I learned that it is okay to ask for help when needed.”

39. Tell me about a time you made a major change to your daily routine or re-prioritized something you were working on.

Sample Answer: “I took a Spanish class and enjoyed the work. But, after several weeks, I found myself forgetting what I had learned. Realizing that becoming proficient in Spanish requires daily practice, I now spend 15 minutes each day learning the language.”

40. What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of?

Sample Answer: “I started as an entry-level employee in the kitchen at a popular fast-food chain and was later promoted to team lead. I am proud that my hard work led to further promotions, providing me with valuable management experience.”

Teamwork

41. Describe a time you led a team to drive impactful results.

Sample Answer: “I was a call center lead at a bank. There was an issue within my team where customers were complaining about the wait time on calls. I reviewed the metrics, established a new wait time goal, and discussed it with the team. I then reviewed each CSR to identify those with above-average customer wait times. I discovered that several CSRs lacked training, which resulted in longer-than-necessary customer interactions. After providing training to these CSRs, the overall customer wait time decreased significantly.”

42. Tell me about a time you worked with someone else to achieve a goal with multiple tasks under a tight deadline.

Sample Answer: “In my last job, I worked in retail during the Christmas rush. Normally, we operated with three people, but on this particular day, one individual was sick. We had to manage inventory, set up a display window, and assist customers simultaneously. Often, we were down to one customer, allowing one of us to handle the display and inventory while the other attended to the customer. By sharing tasks, we were able to successfully manage multiple responsibilities under a tight deadline.”

43. Describe a time you had to get help from a superior.

Sample Answer: “When I was a cook at a restaurant, I was overwhelmed with orders during the lunchtime rush. I was afraid I would cause a delay and the customers would get upset. My manager always said never to be afraid to ask for help, so I asked for help. He did help, and we were able to meet the demand of the lunch rush.”

Situational

In a situational interview, the interviewer will ask questions about how you would handle workplace challenges, such as being paired with a difficult co-worker or dealing with an unhappy customer. A situational interview will not ask you to back up your answer with past experiences.

Below is an example of how situational and behavioral interview questions differ.

Behavioral: Can you tell us about a time you handled a difficult customer?

Situational: How would you deal with a difficult customer?

44. Imagine that you are on the sales floor and you see a guest who appears to need assistance. How do you proceed?

Sample Answer: “I would ask the customer if there is anything I can help with, listen to their needs, and ensure I understand them before making any recommendations.”

45. imagine you are a team leader observing a team member pass by a Guest who seemingly looks to need assistance without interacting or engaging with the customer. Describe how you would ensure this Guest had a great experience.

Sample Answer: “I would approach the customer and inquire about their needs, ensuring a great customer experience by listening attentively. After understanding their needs, I would discuss any sales or promotions that cater to those needs. Additionally, I would highlight the benefits of the Target app. Finally, I would discuss with the team member who passed by the guest in need of assistance, emphasizing the importance of ensuring a positive experience for every customer at Target.”

46. A guest wants a pair of shoes. Your store is sold out. What do you do?

Sample Answer: “I would see if there are any shoes in the storage room in the back and check if the shoes are there. If I were working at Target, I would also check if there are other shoes available at different Target stores. Finally, I would explore online options to see if the customer can order shoes there. If there is nothing else I can do, I would apologize and try to recommend similar shoes to the customer.”

Competency-Based

47. What hours can you work?

Sample Answer: “I am flexible with my availability and can work a variety of hours to meet the needs of the job. I am open to discussing and adjusting my schedule based on the position’s requirements and the team’s needs. Whether it involves early mornings, late evenings, or weekends, I am willing to accommodate and contribute to the team’s success.”

48. How do you feel about standing on your feet all day?

Sample Answer: “I have no issue standing on my feet all day. I will wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes and stay hydrated.”

Self-Assessment Questions

49. Can you work independently?

Being able to work independently is a skill every employer wants. Try to think of examples where you worked successfully in a team.

50. What are your greatest strengths?

Sample Answer: “I believe my strengths align well with the requirements of this position. I am highly detail-oriented, which helps me ensure accuracy and precision in my work. I am also a quick learner, and I’m confident in my ability to adapt to new tasks and responsibilities efficiently. Moreover, I am a team player and enjoy collaborating with others to achieve common goals, a quality I believe is crucial in a dynamic retail environment like Target.”

51. What is your greatest weakness?

Sample Answer: “While I have a strong attention to detail, I sometimes find myself spending a bit more time than necessary on perfecting tasks. I am aware of this tendency and have been actively working on finding a balance between ensuring accuracy and managing my time effectively.”

Questions to ask at the end of the interview

52. Questions to ask when you are on a Target Interview?

Having questions to ask the interviewer will show that you are interested and engaged, and will also allow you to gain insights into the company and the role.

  • 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?

Target Interview Attire

Target Interview Attire

Wear business casual attire in neutral colors (black, navy, gray) for a Target interview. Avoid overly casual or flashy outfits, and keep accessories minimal. Dress comfortably, and maintain good personal hygiene. Research the company culture but, when in doubt, lean towards overdressed rather than underdressed.

Tip: If you are unsure what to wear, go to Target and observe what the employees are wearing. Then, dress one level up from there.

How do I Pass a Target interview?

To succeed in a Target interview:

  • Research: Understand Target’s values and the job you’re applying for.
  • Resume: Be ready to discuss your relevant skills and experiences.
  • Practice: Prepare for common questions and use specific examples.
  • Professionalism: Dress appropriately and be punctual.
  • Engagement: Ask thoughtful questions and show enthusiasm.
  • Follow-Up: Send a thank-you email to express your interest.

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