I applied in-person. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA) in Jan 2014
Interview
Mangers at TJs accomplish interviews in a one on one (or two on one) environment. They look for smiles and energy to see if you can provide a WOW customer experience. I think it is important to know who the Captain is by name, the Trader Joe's Mission and Values, the Trader Joe's love story, familiarity with the Fearless Flyer, and the products you like. Questions you always have to be ready for:
What pay rate you would accept?
What is the minimum pay rate you would accept?
What benefits are you interested in?
Don't be in a hurry to be done with the interview. Need to allow yourself at least one hour (crew member) and at most 2.5 hours (mate).
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What brings you to Trader Joe’s today?
Favorite things about TJ's?
Tell me about your last job?
What did you like most/least?
What would your supervisor tell me about you?
Who was your favorite/least favorite boss? Why?
What do you expect this job to be like?
Which task do you think would be your favorite/least favorite?
How do you have fun at work?
What kind of schedule are you looking for?
How long are you planning to stay with TJ's?
How would you describe yourself?
What would your co-workers tell me about you?
How do you have fun at work?
Tell me about your sense of humor?
How would you describe great customer service?
Tell me about the last time you built a relationship with a customer?
Tell me about a time when you encountered a challenging customer service situation at work and what did you do?
What brings you to Trader Joe’s Today?
How did you hear about Trader Joe’s?
What is your favorite product?
Walk me through your education and work history and tell me about each position.
What were your grades and study habits like?
In what positions were you most successful? Least?
Why did you leave/are you planning to leave your most recent position?
If I spoke to your supervisors, what would they tell me about your performance/attendance/work ethic?
Describe your ideal job.
What are your strengths and how do you apply them at work?
What motivates you?
What do you like most about working with customers?
What are the best and worst decisions you’ve made recently?
How did those decisions turn out?
What frustrates you or gets you down? How do you deal with those things?
Tell me about a time when you had to learn a lot quickly. How did you go about learning and how did it all work out?
Tell me about a time when you received critiques or criticisms from your supervisors. How did you handle them?
What questions do you have for me?
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Trader Joe's (Los Angeles, CA) in Jul 2016
Interview
There is a six step process first is completing your application and cover letter. Keep in mind that TJ's get thousands of applicants applying every day so you better WOW them or else you wont get a email. For the second step giving them more detail about your job history. The third step, If your lucky you get phone interview with a recruiter from corporate. Plan on doing all the talking because the recruiter doesn't say much. This is a good time to pump up your job experience and WOW them with your abilities. I did just that because the next day I received and email saying that I have an face to face with a Store Captain, This interview was very light and conversational. In fact, I thought I nailed it!!!! I walked out of there feeling that I will definitely get to the next step with another Store Captain. With the years of leadership and Grocery experience this is a slam dunk. Well I guess I was wrong. about three hours after the interview I received a call from the recruiter saying that they are going to pursue other candidates. I was flabbergasted I couldn't believe what the recruiter was saying such BS!!!! well I thanked the recruiter for the opportunity and asked her for some feedback. She replied that she gets so many applicants that they are looking for more qualified candidates. What a complete wast of time and I cant believe they are passing me up with so much quality experience, I don't get it!!
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell a a time when you had to do something that you didn't agree with? Describe your leadership style? What is the first thing you do when you walk in the building?
I applied online. The process took 8 weeks. I interviewed at Trader Joe's (Brea, CA) in May 2016
Interview
Applied on-line. I did not get a response for 2.5 weeks. I was scheduled for a phone interview with their recruitor a week later. After the initial phone interview, I was contacted another week later to be scheduled for my first face to face interview at one of their stores, I met with the Store Manager/Captain. I really made a connection and thought the interview went really well especially when I was scheduled for a 2nd face to face interivew. After the first face to face interview, I was contacted another week later to be scheduled for a 2nd interview two weeks later with another Store Manager/Captain. During my 2nd interview, the Captain asked me the exact same questions as my 1st. I was very well prepared and was confident. Both Captains and I came away with a good feeling and great connection as to how I will be able to contribute to the company. After my 2nd face to face interiew, I was contacted a week later that they decided to go with another candidate. They did not provide any feedback. It was a very long process to go through to be passed on.
I applied online. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Trader Joe's (Temecula, CA) in Mar 2016
Interview
Applied online and dropped off a copy of resume and cover letter on the following day in person. Got hold of the Capain and had a brief chat with him. He seemed nice. One week later I find on their website that I haven't even been selected for an interview. I'm highly qualified with a bachelors degree, a lot of customer service experience from both retail and B2B and plenty of enthusiasm for this industry. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't even get a telephone interview. My hunch is I don't fit their profile. Being closer to 40 than to 20, with professional demeanor and experience, non hipster and European - no chance. I think they are looking for 20 something hipster type kids that are more formable.
