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Web: www.traderjoes.com | HQ: Monrovia, CA

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Updated May 2, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.

Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 49 ratings

2.4

“Easy” Interview

Interview Experience [?] Based on 49 ratings

Positive	69%
Neutral	20%
Negative	10%

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31–40 of 49 Trader Joe's Interviews

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2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Mar 2009 (took a day)

2 managers sat in and asked me random questions about the job. There was a math test back when i interviewed in 2000, but its no longer part of the application

Other Details

I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Personality Test, a Skills Test and a Group/Panel Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Oct 2009 (took 2 days)

I turned my application in in person and asked to speak with (as those who are familiar with tj's will know this is what the manager is called) the "captain". Took a while for a callback but was interviewed by a couple of the supervisors in the store and I was sure to give them a couple of little samples of fun trader joe's type arwork that I had made the night before to try to impress them... (and it did). Generally got asked a few boring interview questions that are in all interviews and talked about the store and who I was and all that good stuff. Got called back for a second interview with the captain and the lead artist for the store and it was casual and fun. Got offered the job. (my experience since is that you need to be able to really show your true personality and your talent, don't try working here if you don't have a naturaly positive personality and are willing to work really hard and care about what you do. Also be ready to create some art on the spot if they want you too- HANDWRITING IS SUPER IMPORTANT!)

Negotiation Details

did not negotiate.. got initial offer that I was proud to take.

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Skills Test and a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jan 2011 in Santa Maria, CA (took 5 weeks)

Well I heard from an inside source they were hiring and turned in my application. I did about 5 follow ups on my application, 3 of which I was lucky & talked to the right people, told them that I knew said employee and that I was an artist. If you don't know who to talk to, find out from every single employee because chances are you will get different answers.
Finally, after weeks & weeks of no reply, I get a last minute call to come in the next day for an interview. Do not dress casually to the interview, even though that is how they dress in the store! It took place outside where they receive shipments. I said hi to my friend who happened to be working and they had no idea that I knew him. (huh) The interview was with two people, one of which was the hiring manager, its funny that the guy everyone told me to talk to did not interview me, but it was a new guy I had never met before and that had never given and interview before either.
Without this site, I would have bombed the questions. But because I practiced the night before and day of, the new guy said I did really well. Keep a positive and happy attitude AT ALL TIMES, this is what their company runs on. Every question you answer should have a positive spin.

Interview Questions

how do you think you could better improve trader joe's?

Answer Question

what would you bring to our company that we don't already have?

Answer Question

what was a negative experience you had at your last job?

Answer Question

what are some extracurricular activities you enjoy?

Answer Question

Other Details

The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Aug 2010 in Brooklyn, NY (took 5 days)

I applied in person, and got a call back a couple days later to set up an interview. The man that interviewed me was really nice and personable. He asked me thinks like 'what my favorite product is' or 'why I wanted to work for trader joe's'

Interview Questions

What is your favorite trader joe's product?

Answer Question

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

1.0

Very Easy Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Jan 2008 in Los Angeles, CA (took a day)

The interviewer was very friendly and informable and immediately I was relaxed and at ease to have a positive interview with no regrets. I was aware of other applicants with the one position to be filled.

Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself?

View Answers (1)

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Sep 2008 (took a day)

I don't care to comment on the interview process other than to say it was as expected, a straight forward question and answer type interview.

Negotiation Details

I wish I had asked for more but I was grateful for the job and the offer.

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Background Check and a 1:1 Interview.

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Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed May 2010 (took 2 days)

Interview was with two managers, one conducting the questions, the other taking notes and mostly watching from the sidelines. We were in the small artist's loft with the artists present, quiet and listeningin on the interview. It was really awkward. No personality questions, all by-the-book typical interview questions concerning strengths/weaknesses/customer service experience, etc. I felt more awkward than I usually do and knew I didn't get the job the moment I walked out of the room.

Interview Questions

What was the last negative criticism you received from an employer?

Answer Question

Why do you want to work at Trader Joe's?

Answer Question

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

1.0

Very Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Aug 2009 in Maple Grove, MN (took 2 weeks)

I walked up to a full timer and said "I would love to work here"..he gave me an application which I filled out, and then proceeded to ask me questions about why I wanted to work there. He wanted to know my experience with people and food, basically. He said they'd call in a week if I get a second interview...and they did!

Negotiation Details

I did not negotiate, as I didn't even think about it as an option...probably should have.

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jan 2008 in La Quinta, CA (took 2 weeks)

Applied online, went in for an interview, hired on the spot and started the week after.

Interview Questions

What is your favorite Trader Joe's product?

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

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Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed May 2008 in Los Angeles, CA (took a day)

Simple sit down chat talking about previous work experience and how you think you could contribute to the team and what your goals were for working there. All standard stuff.