The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Trader Joe's in Aug 2011
Interview
I located the opportunity on the Trader Joe's website, downloaded the forms, filled them out, printed and hand-delivered to the store offering the job. Application materials were standard demographics, work experience and relevant skills given the job description. The application was received with sincere enthusiasm in the store and I was introduced to several employees in the vicinity. Got the call three days later for a face to face interview.
The relaxed and conversational interview was conducted by two supervisors. They took the interview seriously without being stuffy and, given the high degree of customer contact of this position, it was apparent they were most interested in my personality and ability to help and chat with strangers. They gave a follow-up date of after the weekend, but called the next day with an offer. I accepted over the phone and began work the next week.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
If a coworker was having a bad day, how would you cheer up him or her?
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.