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      Trader Joe's

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      Mate (Assistant Manager) Interview

      May 9, 2014
      Anonymous Interview Candidate
      Denver, CO
      Declined offer
      Neutral experience
      Easy interview

      Application

      I applied through a recruiter. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Trader Joe's (Denver, CO)

      Interview

      I declined to participate past two interviews with the company because of the lack of professionalism, and organization. From what I understand, there are 4 interview rounds: one recruiter, two store managers, and a regional manager. The recruiter set up the interview with me via email, and when my interview time came around, I never received a phone call. The next day I emailed her to see if we could reschedule, and she apologized for forgetting my interview, so I gave them another shot. She then rescheduled my interview at a time that I had expressed I was unavailable. Finally, the third time, she scheduled the interview and actually called me. I was passed through to a second interview with a store manager, and when I arrived for the interview, the assistant manager who was going to sit in, was on lunch, so I waited about 20 minutes. When they were ready, we began the interview, in which I sat in a dark, dirty janitor closet, and had an extremely unprofessional interview. The manager made some judgmental assertions, alluding to the fact that the job, though in management, was blue collar, and he wasn't convinced that I knew what I would be getting myself into. It felt very condescending and patronizing, and the assistant manager who sat in, and did not speak the whole time, but made some interesting facial expressions made the whole thing even more uncomfortable. When, two weeks later, they finally called me, I decided to decline going further in the process.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      What is the worst decision you have made lately?
      1 Answer
      3

      Other Mate (Assistant Manager) Interview Reviews for Trader Joe's

      Mate (Assistant Manager) Interview

      Jul 27, 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

      Sep 29, 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

      Mar 15, 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