Whole Foods Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Feb 8, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 100 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 100 ratings
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| 11–20 of 100 Whole Foods Interviews | Sort by |
Store Artist at Whole Foods
Posted Nov 13, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2011 (took 2 weeks)
Nice people. Organized and efficient. Applied inline; posted a streamlined resume and they contacted me within a week. Almost missed their callback as they didn't leave a message; luckily my phone showed the number. Called them right back. They scheduled a phone interview several days out. After a few minutes they said they'd like to interview face to face and made a date for the following week. Went to the interview; three interviewers; marketing team leader, store team leader, and regional team leader. Very professional, friendly, and relaxed. Enjoyed honest rapport. Did not ask for portfolio or skills test. Told me I'd basically be printing out signs. Called back a few days later to offer me a job.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Not too much negotiation here. Job advertised at 14/hr. They offered $15.50 after I accepted which felt nice even though the job is not high wages--any hands on 'art' job is hard to find. The actual job involves computer savvy and printing out a stream of similar but changing price and sales signs to drive sales volume. Also supporting store team members and creating some chalk board art for the store.
The store policies and attitude towards employees is good.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Associate Store Team Leader at Whole Foods
Posted Nov 9, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 in Greenville, SC (took 3 weeks)
I applied online and a month or so later was called by HR to set up a phone screen a couple days later. The phone screen lasted about 40 minutes and was pretty standard get-to-know you type stuff as well as my experience and knowledge of WF and their culture. Was then contacted by a store manager to set up an in-person interview two weeks from that date. The interview would be held 4 hours from home, about 250 miles 1-way.
I was then emailed a schedule for that day to include the names of the other people who were also interviewing. Three were current WF employees and one was not. Was I supposed to get the names of those also interviewing? About a week prior to my interview, HR called to find out if I was able to get the information I needed in order to prepare. She gave me names of people to contact I guess to “study” for the big day. One store manager that I spoke to was very brief and seemed that he didn’t want to be bothered. I spoke with another for about 40 minutes who was very informative, told me to be myself and that they are just trying to get to know if I am the right fit for their culture.
Day of the interview, again I DRIVE 4 HOURS AND 250 MILES. It’s a panel interview of about 10 people ranging from HR, various store managers and an extremely arrogant VP. I knew that WF was very casual, but because this was an interview I wore a suit. I wish they would have invited me to dress business casual as participating in a panel interview is nerve-wracking enough, it was uncomfortable when I’m in a suit and others are wearing shorts and nose rings.
Normally I interview very well. In a standard interview there is conversation back and forth and you know what to expect and can actually be yourself. However this panel interview was more of an inquisition with questions being fired off to me with no rhyme or reason or order. What do you regret? Tell us of a time that you reprimanded an employee, etc. Then the VP wanted to ROLE PLAY with me being a manager and him being a customer complaining about the meat. He then asked me to explain how WF meat differs from their competitors. I did a lot research but didn't quite get that deep into the differences of their individual products. I hope that would be something that I would learn once there. Instead of getting to know me, it felt more that the VP was trying to stump or corner me. There was no way I could relax, be myself and answer these questions professionally. How can they possibly get a feel for someone and if they fit in their culture by putting them in an extremely uncomfortable situation?
When I walked out, they warmly greeted the next person – an obvious current employee. He was dressed in cargo pants and an untucked dirty white shirt. At this point I knew that it was not a good interview however I still wanted the job as I have heard many great things about the company. When I got home 4 HOURS AND ANOTHER 250 MILES LATER, I emailed each person individually to thank them.
Not one of the 10 people I emailed even responded with a thanks or good luck. Since it has been 2 weeks and well past the 24-72 hour window which they indicated that a decision would be made, I am going to assume that I was not the right candidate for the job. As probably most people who apply and are lucky enough to land an interview with Whole Foods, I was enthusiastic about the possibility of joining a company who respect their customers, understand that empowering their "team-members" is highly effective and being active in both the local and global community is an important part of their mission.
Throughout my career, I have interviewed many people myself. The applicants have ranged from hourly dishwashers to management candidates. I can tell you with 100% certainty that I've always extended the courtesy of either a phone call or at the minimum an email to let them know that we had selected a more qualified candidate. In light of the fact that I drove 500+ miles and have not received a phone call, email or a text, tells me that no, I am not a good fit for their culture. So thank you, Whole Foods for not extending me the professional courtesy of a phone call or an email to let me know that you've moved on. You have saved me the disappointment I would have felt had you done so. Instead, I am able to see that no amount of purported core values, mission statements, panel interviews or role-playing can supersede the adage that actions speak louder than words. Your lack of professionalism speaks volumes.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
View Comments (2)
Inappropriate?
Prepared Foods Team Member at Whole Foods
Posted Nov 3, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 (took 1+ week)
I did a short phone screen interview a few days after I posted an application online and went to interview at the store the fllowing week. After reading the comments on this site I may have over-prepared for interview questions but at least I was more comfortable in having those answers ready to go. Their seven core values were never brought up but I would recommend at least looking at them to know more about the company and what they are about. I ended up interviewing with about three to four separate people at a job fair to determine which department and store to work at. I was offered a part-time position but I was informed it could quickly turn into a full time position.
Interview Questions
How would you describe that food to a customer?
Negotiation Details
There weren't any opportunities for negotiation. Everyone hired at the Team Member level was offered $10 per hour to start.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
More Whole Foods Prepared Foods Team Member Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Seasonal Team Member Holiday Order Specialist at Whole Foods
Posted Nov 2, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 (took 1+ week)
I applied online and was called about 10 days later to schedule a 1:1 interview. Very nice and pleasant interviewer. I blew the interview. I'm entering the job market after being a stay at home mom for past 18 years. I'm not sure if I was interviewed by the Team Leader for the department or he could have been the Asst. Store Manager. He never gave me his title. He asked a lot of customer service questions like "what is customer service to you?" and asked me to give a time when I felt I had provided exceptional customer service. I told him it's been over 25 years since I've worked retail but I'm huge fan of Whole Foods and have catered small dinner parties purchasing all my products from his store. I left knowing I would not get the job offer. Overall he was very nice and friendly and all the employees I interacted with were laid back and friendly. I should have been better prepared and hopefully I'll get a second chance later on down the road. If you're ever called in for an interview with Whole Foods be prepared to give examples of exceptional customer service and what it means to you.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Associate Team Leader at Whole Foods
Posted Oct 26, 2011 — 2 of 2 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2009 (took 2 days)
WF's called me to come in for an interview.
Do your due diligence.
They ask that you do a 30,60,90 action plan.
Interviewed with a panael of 7.
24 hours later I got a job offer.
There was the store team leader, the team leader of the particular department, the coordinator of the the deparment, and 4 other team members..
The interview was held at the regional offices. This office is well kept and very green. When you first walk in you are greeted by the receptionist who was very nice.
Whole Foods culture is terrific!
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I negotiated and it worked in my favor. Don't be affraid to negotiate all they can say is no.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
More Whole Foods Associate Team Leader Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Team Member at Whole Foods
Posted Oct 31, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2010 (took 2 weeks)
I was interviewed by the team leader and the assistant team leader. It was a pretty basic interaction. We basically just went over the application and exchanged bits of personality. For the most part it was their time to feel me out and my time to shine. My advice is to be energetic and confident. The job is fast paced and deals with a lot of customer interaction so signs of excelling with this is a huge plus.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
More Whole Foods Team Member Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Grocery Team Member at Whole Foods
Posted Oct 31, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2009 in Pasadena, CA (took a day)
Easy 5 minute phone interview followed by a very relaxed in person interview. Maybe 20 minutes of basic questions and was offered the job the same day.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Not quite, the minimum wage at Whole Foods was $10/hr which was higher than I was expecting as my first real job.
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.
More Whole Foods Grocery Team Member Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Cashier at Whole Foods
Posted Oct 25, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2011 (took a day)
I'm pretty sure I applied online in May/June. But never got any type of reply and assumed the position had been filled. Late August I get a call asking me if I was still interested, I was. And a little confused but made an appointment for the interview. I went to check online, and couldn't even find where I'd applied to this specific WFM. Anyways I go in, and hadn't expect their to be a panel. There was the Store Leader, Customer Service Team Leader, and another person who I've seen like once since working here.
That told me to talk about myself, which is kind wide to start. But I talked about hobbies, then they asked questions. Like about transportation, school, future plans, how I handled difficult situations, what I knew about the company, and how I was familiar with it. I named off what I knew as a customer, and things from the site like core values, and how they started which they liked.
After everything was wrapped up they offered me the position on the spot, and I accepted.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I didn't, haha the pay was already like 3 dollars more than what I was making and I was happy with that considering I had not experience in grocery stores or markets.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
More Whole Foods Cashier Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Prepared Foods Team Member at Whole Foods
Posted Oct 12, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2011 (took 2 weeks)
The Team leader called and set up an interview it was short and to the point,. the second interview was also short and to the point. I was then offered a position after about a week and had to wait a week for my background check to clear. I then met with store leadership as well.
Negotiation Details
There wasn't any
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
More Whole Foods Prepared Foods Team Member Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Marketing at Whole Foods
Posted Sep 25, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2009 in San Francisco, CA (took 6 days)
After initial phone contact, I came in to meet with store leadership for a 30 minute screening. I was then invited back for a panel interview, which included future direct reports, peers, leadership and regional office leadership--about 8 or 9 people in all. Some were prepared with questions obviously pulled from an interview guide, but some asked intelligent, relevant and challenging questions. Be sure you know the company's 7 core values when you interview, and refer to them.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
somewhat, however there are published salary caps for every position in the store.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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