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      Trader Joe's

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      Mate (Assistant Manager) Interview

      22 May 2015
      Anonymous interview candidate
      No offer
      Neutral experience
      Average interview

      Application

      I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Trader Joe's in May 2015

      Interview

      I was really interested in working here and did my homework prior to applying online. I shopped the store, made food, really explored the website, and wrote a really creative cover letter to win an interview, which worked. I received an email within a week to schedule a phone interview. I was able to schedule within a couple days. Call was pleasant, fairly easy, why I wanted to work at TJ without supermarket experience? Basic questions about my experience and what type of manager I was. Apparently I passed the pre screen phone interview and was told I would receive an email to speak to a Captain (store manager) shortly. Email came within a day asking me if Monday or Tuesday were better, I scheduled for Tuesday. I was even sent the paperwork to fill out and information regarding their benefits which are amazing. I arrived 15 minutes early and the Captain was talking to his mates at the service desk, I said I was early and to take his time as he said he was wrapping things up. I walked around the store and he came and got me in exactly 15 minutes and took me into the rather messy active break room to have our interview. I'm a pretty sociable and friendly person, but it made me rather uncomfortable to speak professionally about myself for an interview with crew members walking in and out the entire time, some actually hung out and didn't leave, it was very distracting but I made the best of it, and thought our conversation went well, I was sure it would move on. First question he asked was tell me about yourself, and not work related? Trick question, who knows (age, kids ?) I was just vague and said I like to travel and spend time with my large family. I received a call 8 days later telling me they were pursuing other candidates. I was disappointed, but I will say I felt my age may have hurt me. The dress code is very lax, and unprofessional, while I was in business casual, I was nervous I was too casual, turns out I was completely overdressed and uncomfortable with what was almost like "beach attire." While the Captain was friendly and cordial, I did feel at times he was going through the motions, but he shook my hand 3 times in the end, I was sure it was a go, apparently not.

      Interview questions [4]

      Question 1

      Have I ever worked for a difficult boss?
      1 Answer

      Question 2

      What type of manager am I?
      Answer question

      Question 3

      If I walked into your store now, what would your staff say about you?
      Answer question

      Question 4

      Would I be willing to bounce from store to store if necessary?
      Answer question
      14

      Other Mate (Assistant Manager) interview reviews for Trader Joe's

      Mate (Assistant Manager) Interview

      27 Jul 2016
      Anonymous interview candidate
      Los Angeles, CA
      No offer
      Neutral experience
      Average interview

      Application

      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?
      1 Answer
      5

      Mate (Assistant Manager) Interview

      29 Sept 2016
      Anonymous interview candidate
      Brea, CA
      No offer
      Neutral experience
      Easy interview

      Application

      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.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      What are your strengths and weaknesses?
      Answer question

      Mate (Assistant Manager) Interview

      15 Mar 2016
      Anonymous interview candidate
      Temecula, CA
      No offer
      Negative experience
      Easy interview

      Application

      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.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      Didn't even get a single question.
      Answer question
      6