If you are looking for Trader Joe’s 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 Trader Joe’s interview.
Here we will discuss possible interview questions for Trader Joe’s Store.
Please note these are practice interview questions and we are not affiliated with the company mentioned in this post.
Trader Joe’s Interview Questions and Answers
1. Can you tell me 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. Why do you want to work for Trader Joe’s?
- Explain that you are interested in pursuing a career in the retail industry and believe that you could learn a great deal from working at Trader Joe’s, an industry leader. You can also mention that Fortune Magazine estimated sales to be $1750 per square foot, which is more than double that of Whole Foods.
- State why you think Trader Joe’s is better than its competition.
3. Why should we hire you?
- Review Trader Joe’s job description and find the skills and experience required for the position.
- Next, match the skills needed for the job to your skill set.
- Finally, reassure the interviewer you have the right skills.
4. Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Having a career goal shows you are ambitious and goal-oriented.
- If you are going to college state what you plan on doing when you finish.
- If you don’t know what to say then take a look at other jobs at Trader Joe’s and find a position you can see yourself doing in five years.
5. What is your greatest strength?
The best way to respond to this question is to describe the skills and experience that you have which directly correlate with the job you are applying for. Therefore review the job description and reassure the interviewer that you have the experience and skills to do the job.
What is your greatest weakness?
Don’t Say
- You don’t have a weakness
- You can’t think of a weakness
- Something unrelated to the job
- Do not state a weakness that is critical for the job
Do Say
- Something related to the job
- Steps to improve your weakness
Example
My greatest weakness is I take criticism too personally. I have learned to resist overreacting and to reflect on what someone said. I have found that I have become a better employee when I learn from feedback.
Company Information
6. What can you tell us about Trader Joe’s?
- Trader Joe’s is a chain of grocery stores based out of Monrovia California.
- Trader Joe’s is named after its founder Joe Coulombe.
- The store was bought out by Aldi in 1979.
- Trader Joe’s made a commitment to eliminate artificial trans fats from all private-label products (along with artificial flavors, artificial preservatives & GMO ingredients).
- Trader Joe’s announced their goal “to have all the eggs they sell in western states (CA, OR, WA, AZ, NM, and CO) come from cage-free suppliers by 2020 and all the eggs we sell nationally to come from cage-free suppliers by 2025.
7. Who are Trader Joe’s competitors?
- Its competitors include Whole Foods, Walmart, and Meijer.
8. What is the mission of Trader Joe’s?
The mission statement of Trader Joe’s is
- To give our customers the best food and beverage values that they can find anywhere and to provide them with the information required for informed buying decisions. We provide these with a dedication to the highest quality of customer satisfaction delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, fun, individual pride, and company spirit.
Additional Interview Questions
9. How do you feel about standing on your feet 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.
10. 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.
11. Why did you leave your last job?
Let’s first discuss what not to say!
- Do not say anything negative about your previous employer
- Do not say for money.
- The commute was too long.
Example
“I enjoyed my time at my last job, but, I have outgrown my current role and I am looking for new challenges.”
12. 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.
Trader Joe’s Crew Interview Questions
13. Why do you want to be a crew member?
To answer this question successfully you must match the skills required in the job description to your own.
So when asked this question say
- State you have excellent communication skills which will allow you to work well with customers.
- Mention you work well independently but also work well in a team.
- Say you are artistic and will enjoy making new signs for customers.
- State you are a quick learner which will allow you to work well in all aspects of the job.
14. Why should we hire you as our crew member?
The fact is you need to prove why you are the best person for this role or at least better than the other applicants. To do this you must show you have relevant work experience.
- So if you have experience in managing inventory, being a cashier, customer service experience, packaging or grocery experience now is the time to mention it.
- Since the job description requires creating signage, it may be beneficial to mention your artistic abilities if you feel confident in that area.
15. How would you deal with a difficult customer?
Here are several steps to deal with an upset customer
- Get control of yourself.
- 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, it is important not to take it personally. If you get upset you will take it on future customers.
16. Can you tell us about your previous experience with stocking shelves?
- You should briefly describe any previous jobs where you stocked shelves. If you don’t have any experience in stocking shelves, you can draw on related experiences that demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks required for the job. For example, you could talk about jobs where you had to maintain a clean and organized workspace, or where you had to handle and sort items quickly and efficiently.
17. How do you handle situations where customers ask for products that are out of stock?
- State that you apologize for the product being out of stock and will do your best to inform the customer when it will be back in stock.
18. How do you ensure the customer has a fun, friendly, and informative shopping experience?
- Greet the customer: Start by greeting the customer with a smile and a warm welcome. Make them feel valued and appreciated right from the start.
- Be available and approachable: Be attentive and available to assist the customer as they browse through the store. Let them know that you are available to answer any questions or help them find what they need.
- Provide product knowledge: Be knowledgeable about the products in the store and provide the customer with helpful information. Answer their questions about the products, and provide suggestions or recommendations if they ask for them.
19. Can you walk us through the process of handling a customer transaction at the cash register, including how you handle cash, debit/credit cards, and any returns or exchanges that may occur?
- State you would greet the customer with a warm smile and process their payments on whatever method they choose. Regarding processing returns Trader Joe’s is generous with their return policy and you can bring almost any item back to the store for a full refund, with or without a receipt.
Questions to ask on a Trader Joe’s Interview?
20. 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?
Trader Joe’s Hiring Process Process
- The process typically starts by submitting an online application and completing a phone interview, followed by an in-person interview and a potential job offer.
Trader Joe’s Phone Interview Questions
- Many interviews at Trader Joe’s begin with a phone interview. Study the questions above and you will be fine. If you do have a phone interview make sure to find a nice quiet room so there are no distractions.
What to wear to Trader Joe’s Interview
- If you are interviewing for an entry-level position, such as a crew position, it is recommended to dress in business casual attire. Avoid wearing shorts and jeans.
- If you are interviewing for a management position, such as Captain, it is recommended to dress formally or in business casual attire. Blazers and dark trousers are a safe choice, and wrap dresses are appropriate for females. Avoid wearing sportswear or athletic clothing.
How many rounds of interviews does Trader Joe’s have?
- The number of interviews at Trader Joe’s can vary depending on the position for which you are applying. Typically, the first interview is a screening interview, and the second interview is usually with the Captain, who is the leader of the store.
How do I prepare for an interview at Trader Joe’s?
- Learn as much as you can about the company and ask yourself what makes you want to work there. What sets Trader Joe’s apart from other grocery stores?
- 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. Trader Joe’s will want to hire people whose career goals align with the customer service retail industry. Note that if you want to work at Trader Joe’s to pay for your education, that is fine, but make sure you demonstrate that you are committed to working there for more than a few months.
- Make sure you know where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Use online resources to find the easiest route and be sure to add extra time to ensure you arrive on time. The last thing you want is to be late.
Trader Joe’s Drug Testing Policy
- There is nothing on their website to indicate that they drug test their employees.
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