Growing Chain Seeks New Associates with Frequency
Named after founder Howard Edward Butt, the H-E-B grocery store chain operates one of the largest retailers in the United States. As a major retailer in the industry, stores conduct frequent job interviews for open positions across the company network of stores. Applicants that perform well during the interview process may help solidify a position with the grocery store chain.
An Involved Process
Group OrientationH-E-B job interviews often feature an extensive and involved process. Regardless of position, applicants participate in several essential stages. After submitting the initial employment forms and materials, qualified candidates may receive a phone call from the chain to schedule and attend a company orientation with other applicants.
Successfully completing the orientation process leads to a more in-depth one-on-one interview with a store manager or other high-ranking store officials. Most applicants endure at least a three-week interview process.
Interview Questions
What Types of Questions Do They Ask? A common evaluation process, the job interview features many familiar questions to anyone with experience in the grocery store industry. Applicants may be asked to talk about previous employers, availability, job skills, and goals with the supermarket company. Interview questions aim to let applicants promote themselves and highlight qualities that fit well with the H-E-B employee culture.
- How do you define customer service?
- What are some challenges a grocery store faces?"
- Why do you want to work with H-E-B?
Candidates may ask questions of their own about the company; suitable topics include working conditions, job responsibilities, and related topics.
Preparing for the Interview
Applicants may do several things to stand out during the hiring and interview process. Try to be friendly throughout the interview process. The grocery chain prefers associates with a good personality, so standing out during the interview process may help with hiring consideration.
How Should You Dress?
Additionally, a clean appearance, including a neat and tidy wardrobe, will help convey a professional attitude throughout the hiring process.
Insider Tips
Videos: we talk to former H-E-B employees about their jobs.
HEB Bag Boy Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
HEB Bag Boy: I was a sacker and a cart pusher. I just essentially just sacked people’s groceries into a plastic or paper bags. Obviously, pride in customer service, like friendly customer service and then I would ask them if they needed carry out assistance. If they needed it then I would go out with them and I would put their groceries in their vehicle. Apart from that, I would also go outside to the parking lot and I would push the carts back into the spot.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
HEB Bag Boy: Most of us were in a co-op. We just like … Where they work with your high school so that you get out of high school early so you can go work. They realize that some of us needed to work. I would get out of class like around 11:00 or like noon and then I would go work at HEB, and then be back in time for soccer practice and stuff. It was pretty nice. Like I said, it was predominantly high school students and then I guess middle age people. I have no complaints about it.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
HEB Bag Boy: I applied online and then they called me. They just essentially gathered a bunch of us for like a group interview and they asked us all questions … Like a group activity thing. They separated us to ask us questions, like a separate interview after that. That was pretty much it.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
HEB Bag Boy: I guess like group work stuff. If I remember correctly, they asked us to do like a presentation. It was pretty weird. They asked us which one do you feel is the best, so they had a list of things and one of those lists, if I remember correctly, is like if you were to do a runway show or if you were to present an Xbox, or if you would to do this, which one would be best for this type of environment? We essentially got together. It was a large group of people, it was probably like 12 people, so we got together in I think groups of three and we were like okay, this is what we feel would be bet for this environment. We just presented that to them. It was like a group activity. I guess they wanted to see if we could work well with other people, I suppose.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
HEB Bag Boy: Definitely be honest with them. They appreciate that. HEB is a pretty cool company. If there’s one thing, just be yourself, be honest and I think they’ll be willing to work with you, your schedule and stuff like that.
HEB Checker Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
HEB Checker: I was a checker and our prime duties were to greet the customer, check for any items that might be on the bottom of the basket and scan them, exchange money. We had to have our alcohol seller’s license, so if they’re buying alcohol we have to make sure they’re not any rated or underage. Making sure we’re keeping a conversation going with them.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
HEB Checker: Most of the time it was really busy. Packed stores, people were always in and out, but it was very friendly. Just super friendly people going through your line, just your average, everyday moms, dads. Very friendly environment, yeah.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
BRAND JOB: Most of the time it was really busy. Packed stores, people were always in and out, but it was very friendly. Just super friendly people going through your line, just your average, everyday moms, dads. Very friendly environment, yeah.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
HEB Checker: You have to apply online at heb.com/careers. Once you fill out your application, they’ll get back to you. Me, it was within a week, but it’s usually within two to four weeks. They’ll call you if they are interested in interviewing you. You go in for your first interview, they ask you basic questions. From there, they’ll either just turn you down or take it to the next interview, which is in the same day. Then they’ll ask you a bit more detailed questions and give you more descriptions about your position. Then they hire right on the spot.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
HEB Checker: I remember on my first interview they gave me a book and it was pictures and you had to describe the pictures. One of them was like, “You’re in a restroom, it’s messy, what do you do?” Or they ask you, “What do you do when there’s a hostile customer? What will you do if you catch someone stealing?” Those are more job descriptive towards the position. Other basic ones it’s just, “What’s your greatest accomplishment?”, “What’s your work ethic like?”, “Are you a student?”
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
HEB Checker: There was one part of the interview where they asked me why I should get hired and what will my goals be for every day. I said my goals would be to make the customers want to come back every single day.
Alicia says:
Continue putting in those applications. I just got called for an interview and all I did was apply on line.
iris says:
where do i apply online for a job at heb?
Brieanah says:
Basically when you get called in for the “Group Interview” the best thing is to just be yourself. They like bubbly people very friendly and a smile always works thats why the maneger told me why she chosed me for the job.. And they actually reply back quick to your applications compared to other places
Christi says:
I recently was called to a “group interview” on Wednesday and it was really fun. They were looking for confident people. And that’s what i gave them. They called me back like an hour later and told me i have a second interview this Friday. I’m excited but nervous. Wish me luck.
Dominique says:
Well I applied at HEB online then about a week later I got a call back for a group interview. After the interview the next day at about 5:00pm I got called for a 1on1 and from there I signed a sheet saying that I accepted the offer and and signed the background check sheet. Now I am currently awaiting their call back. I got the job.
rcb says:
I remember my interview about 3 months ago. They called me in to have an interview and I actually had to do two which I thought was weird. Two questions I remember them asking was 1.) Have you ever been convicted of a felony? 2.) Do you work better in group or by yourself? So it was basically super easy and they called me back within two weeks. I finally completed my cashier training and I have yet to start but Im still nervous about it. I really loved working there with all the awesome managers and even the CCOM which you’ll find out all the terminology after a few months maybe quicker. I hope everyone who applied at HEB likes it as much as I do.
cierra reagan says:
I recently applied online at heb i took the initiative to call and check on a application status and was told they would give my application to the hiring manger if he was interested he would call me back. About 10 min later he called me back and said everything looked good and asked me to come in the next day for a interview. It was one on one no group interview i was the only one there and got hired on the spot he was a great guy now im just waiting to hear back from my background check which shouldnt be a problem!
Tracy Doll says:
I was interviewed for cashier several years ago. I was called to come in for the group interview. I was not chosen to come back which was a disappointment.
sierra says:
I applied online, got called exactly a week later and had my group interview. They called me three days later, offering me the job. I had to get my background check done, and now I have to go in and fill out my new hiring paperwork. This was all about a 2 week process for me, my first official day is in a few days 🙂
jeff says:
I was recently called in for a “group interview” it was a really cool experience . they want you to be confident , work well with others and have a personality . I have a second interview later today. wish me luck