Part-Time and Full-time Supermarket Retail Positions
American retailer SUPERVALU operates as a major supermarket chain, with more than 1,100 grocery stores across the country. The company offers many of the standard supermarket goods at competitive prices, including thousands of nonperishables, dairy, frozen food, meat, and produce products. The grocery chain carries many exclusive brands as well as many culturally recognizable brands in both flagship and subsidiary stores. More than 120,000 people currently work for the company, including seasonal, part-time, and full-time jobs.
One-on-One Interviews for Entry-Level Candidates
A major company like SUPERVALU conducts seemingly countless job interviews to hire new associates annually. Depending on position and the number of applicants, the company conducts various interview formats. Entry-level applicants typically undergo a one-on-one conversation with a store manager or HR representative. More advanced jobs usually call for panel interviews with multiple managers or company officials. Following interviews, applicants may be asked to complete company orientation, skills assessments, and drug tests before employment. Applicants must provide documents that prove they can legally work in the United States.
Interview Topics to Prepare For
Many interviews, especially for store-level jobs, take on a casual and conversational tone. Applicants are asked to talk about themselves through topics like interests, education, and goals. The interview also covers many common topics to the supermarket industry. Applicants are usually asked about availability, job skills, and desire to work in the store. During the interview, a SUPERVALU manager may discuss the details about position, such as working conditions, responsibilities, and other requirements the job calls for.
Tips for a Successful Interview
While the job interview may seem like a rather large undertaking, well-prepared applicants may find the process fairly easy. Preparation may be as simple as reviewing SUPERVALU as a company. Dress professionally going into the interview, with business and office attire suitable for both men and women. Performing a practice interview prior to the official interview may help calm an applicant's nerves. Good questions to practice include: "How flexible is your schedule?", "How do you define customer service?", and "What did you like/dislike about your previous job?" Maintain eye contact and proper body language during the interview. Answers should be directed to the interviewer and spoken with proper grammar.
SuperValu Stock Clerk Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
SuperValu Stock Clerk: I was a floor staff personnel, basically to stock the shelves, make sure everything was faced off and help customers to get them towards products like meat section, fruit and veg section, or just regular stuff like that.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
SuperValu Stock Clerk: Friendly. There was a lot of mixed people there. You had young people, you had old people, middle-aged people, college students. You had midwives, whatever. Everything was there. It was very nice and friendly, everyone was nice and fun.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
SuperValu Stock Clerk: Normally I worked after school, it was what we call secondary school, which is probably high school over here. I only worked shorter. Three to four hours. Basically come in maybe at four o’clock, and worked till eight o’clock. You had to stock the shelves and then face off items get your job done.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
SuperValu Stock Clerk: You have to fill out an application form first, just stating your background, your education, any other kind of hobbies and interests. Then that’s handed into the HR department. From there you’re called for an interview, where you bring your CV, and you go to your one stage of interviews. Your told if you get a job or not, and your brought in for training then. Then you start your job if your successful.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
SuperValu Stock Clerk: To be honest, they didn’t ask a whole lot really. Just basically asked about my background, and when I would be available to work and when I wouldn’t be available to work. There were no real advanced questions to be honest. They appreciated that I was a young person. I wasn’t going to have a whole lot of experience, and you didn’t need a whole lot of experience for the job.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
SuperValu Stock Clerk: I suppose kind of like an open attitude and friendly attitude. I didn’t go in negative to the whole thing. I’m very optimistic and just open to anything they had to offer.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
SuperValu Stock Clerk: I supposed just be honest and optimistic about it. I wouldn’t go in saying that you can do this, that, and the other, if you haven’t had the training or the experience. Don’t say you have false experience. Go in and tell them exactly who you are and what you can do, and just hope for the best and be optimistic about it.
maria says:
I have interveiw in 2 days at supervalue grocery store for cashier.and this will be my first cashier customer service job. what kind of questions will be asked at the interveiw? what should i expect? how should i dress? THIS IS THE SUPERVALU GROCERY STORE ON WEST LAKE STREET IN MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA. I PUT THE LOCATION BECAUSE IF ANYBODY HAS HAD A INTERVEIW AT THIS EXACT LOCATION YOU MIGHT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I SHOULD EXPECT. please and thanks to everybody. this is very important to me to get this job please help me out