I applied in-person. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Trader Joe's in Nov 2014
Interview
I submitted an application at this North County San Diego location and was called in for a job interview about two weeks later. I arrived on time and my interviewer was ready for me. We headed to the back of the store and ended up in a small work room in back. Either TJ is very clever and set up this mini psychology experiment in human (my) attention, or they were just insensitive to the interview process.
Despite a sign on the door that said "Do Not Disturb, Interview in Progress", not fewer than five employees sneaked or burst in to the room. Some employees mumbled an apology, others banged through like the two of us in the interview were invisible...and then the pounding started. Apparently, this room is also the back entry for any employee who does not want to walk through the store to report for work. bam bam bamm!!! Hmmm, they can't hear me, I'd better pound harder! baaamm bamm, bamm, baaam, baammm!. I did my best to concentrate while cursing these would-be distractions in the small sliver of my brain not answering the interview question or filled with the noise of that back room cacophony.
All in all, I thought I did pretty well, all things considered. I was promised a call back within the week but never heard from them. Can't say that I am disappointed. It's a busy environment, I get it. But does that mean one can't read a sign?
I dunno. Someone doesn't answer the door after two minutes of pounding, I stop pounding. Guess I'm a quitter!
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why BAMM BAMMM BAMMM do you want to work BAMM BAMMM BAMMM at Trader BAMM BAMM Joe's?
I had 3 separate interviews. 1 was over the phone. 2 were in person. I never heard anything after the third interview. I called the store about a week later and they let me know they didn’t actually have any available positions. Really felt like they wasted my time.
I applied in-person. I interviewed at Trader Joe's (West Hollywood, CA)
Interview
Casual, took place outside of the store. First I had a phone call interview. Then another which was in-person with 2 of the mates in the store, and finally a third in-person with the captain of the store.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What was something I did for a friend that was above and beyond?
Different questions than I have experienced in past job interviews, but seem to be their traditional hiring questions. They want to make sure they are hiring sociable people more so than just someone that can do the job.