Glassdoor is your free inside look at Whole Foods interview questions and advice in Chicago, IL. All 7 interview reviews posted anonymously by Whole Foods employees and interview candidates.
Whole Foods Interview Questions & Reviews in Chicago, IL Area
Getting the Interview 7 Interviews
Interview Experience 6 Ratings
Cashier Team Leader at Whole Foods
Declined Offer – Interviewed in Chicago, IL Apr 2012 – Reviewed Apr 23, 2013
Interview Details – Applied online, first with team leader, and then another team leader and cashier and then a group interview.
Interview Question – prepare a scenario about whole foods and present it to the group how you work Answer Question
Reason for Declining – money. Offered 28K when my last job I was paid 54K. 1 interviewer said how great it was to be with coworkers in their 20's. I am 50. Totally turned me off.
Helpful Interview?
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Cashier at Whole Foods
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Evanston, IL Sep 2012 – Reviewed Mar 19, 2013
Interview Details –
Called for a "pre-interview" where they just wanted to look me over before actually interviewing me. I have an extensive work history but only put my 3 months at Lululemon as experience so I wouldn't look "over qualified". However, when I showed up I had a high-quality resume with business cards, wore professional work attire and made sure I had a water bottle and book to keep myself busy during the wait between interviewers.
A 15-minute pre-interview turned into an hour-long full session. Mostly I answered the typical questions about job history, what I know about Whole Foods, etc.
Interview Question – My most difficult question was why I left my previous employment since you cannot speak ill of a previous employer. The experience itself was textbook interview process with no unexpected or bizarre questions. The interviewers were casual, friendly people who were very open and relaxed. They found my honesty and openness refreshing, even when it was sometimes "unprofessional". Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
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Team Member at Whole Foods
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Chicago, IL Apr 2009 – Reviewed Jan 4, 2013
Interview Details –
If you dont know someone, make sure to speak confidently. Most of the time if you get an interview all you have to do is show up and speak somewhat well and you will be invited back.
Also, typically when they are interviewing it is because they have a serious need. Use that to your advantage and negotiate a fair wage.
Interview Question – What do you bring to whole foods? Answer Question
Negotiation Details – They made an offer and I foolishly accepted. I found out later that a less qualified person started at a higher wage than I because he asked.
Helpful Interview?
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Prepared Foods Team Member at Whole Foods
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in River Forest, IL Oct 2012 – Reviewed Oct 15, 2012
Interview Details – Getting a job there was somewhat easy to me. I also knew someone in the company so I some what had an upper hand . But my initial interview was with the team leader and his boss whom was REALLY nice. They just asked the basic questions about myself, personality, work ethics , availability , etc. I got a call back the following week and they set up another interview with the shift leader and I was hired that day ! It took a week for my paperwork to clear and I was called in to fill out paperwork the next day . I have orientation on Tuesday and I officially start working on the 18th .
Interview Question – How would your coworkers describe you..?? Answer Question
Negotiation Details – There was none all I was told is that u start off at $10 an hour so iit can only get better from there!!
Helpful Interview?
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Grocery Team Member at Whole Foods
No Offer – Interviewed in Orland Park, IL Aug 2012 – Reviewed Sep 21, 2012
Interview Details –
New store opening in my area so when the job listings became available on their website I applied and also did the background check app. Phone interview came a week after applying. I had looked over all the interview questions that have been posted on Glassdoor and everything that he asked me, had been posted here. So make sure to read the various interviews.
I was told at the end of the conversation that when the Team Leaders were assembled they would be going through the phone interviews and if I was a candidate, I would be called. Well, apparently I didn't make the cut as it's been 3 weeks, which isn't long but the store opens to the public in 5 weeks. I have a great retail background and customer service but apparently my answers weren't what they were looking for or that I had a totally open schedule, any day, any time, Holidays, weekends...didn't seem to matter! Oh well, they still might call!
Phone interview lasted about 10 minutes, was very laid back. The questions below were just some of the 10 or so I was asked. Make sure to study their core values, read their blogs and study up on their history. Also seems the starting rate of pay is $10.00 as the interviewer asked if I would be happy with that amount per hour.
Interview Questions
- Do you know the difference between organic and natural products? Answer Question
- What do you consider good customer service? View Answer
- Name something that you have made, baked or cooked that you threw together at the last minute and were surprised at how it turned out? Answer Question
- Did you have any vacation time planned within the next 6 months? View Answer
Helpful Interview?
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No
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Bakery Team Member at Whole Foods
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Wheaton, IL Oct 2010 – Reviewed Jun 25, 2012
Interview Details – There were two separate interviews. The first was held by their department Asset Manager and the second with the department Manager, influential team members and a person on the store management end. They oromotedhard work, team effort, friendliness with customers. Have some information under your belt because the will ask why you want to work at such a unique place. Be into it and it is strongly advised you have the desire and experience requested.
Interview Question – Do you know the difference between natural and organic? Answer Question
Negotiation Details – Very little negotiations due to the fact the team knows it's budget they need to stay within and bonuses.
Helpful Interview?
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No
Problem with this interview?
Customer Service Supervisor at Whole Foods
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Chicago, IL Jun 2011 – Reviewed Jul 14, 2011
Interview Details –
If you don't have knowledge of the company and/or organics, you're screwed. The very same phone call to let me know they were interested in me to come in for an interview they asked if I could do a quick phone interview, and I couldn't so we scheduled an interview a week afterwards. That 1st interview was with the TL/ASTL (Team/Assistant Team leaders) of the customer service/front end department. Right off the bat, you're tested on your knowledge of organics and the company, as well as feeding into your personality and people skills as well as job skills tied into the position. The interview went very smoothly and was offered not only a 2nd interview but a job regardless as a cashier if I didn't pull through in my 2nd interview.
The 2nd interview took place five days after and was a panel interview consisting of the TL, 2 ASTL, 2 current supervisors and a cashier where they dug deeper into your personality and work+business ethics.
Even though the 2nd interview gave me nerves a run for their money, the interview still went very smoothly. Seriously about 3 hours after the interview I received a call that I got the job.
Interview Questions
- Name your weakest and strongest attribute.. View Answer
- What is your opinion on company policies and how and what you do if you disagree with a policy or policies? View Answer
Negotiation Details – Negotiation really didn't happen, I was told my hourly rate and I just agreed to it since it was the highest I've ever been offered in my job history.
Helpful Interview?
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