40 Most Asked Kroger Interview Questions with Answers

While you can expect any interview to cover certain basics, be prepared to show your Kroger interviewer that you are a “people person” with your body language and with your smile as you answer their questions. Here are the top 10 most asked Kroger interview questions, along with suggested answers that will help you ace your interview.

1. Why do you want to work for Kroger?

This is perhaps the most common question an interviewer will ask, but it is also one of the most important. This is your best opportunity to show why you are interested and invested in this company above all others. Remember, even if you are applying to other companies for other jobs, in this interview, all you need to communicate is that you care about joining Kroger. On the other hand, this does not need to be a complicated answer, but simply what drew you to consider Kroger in the first place. It can even be as simple as its location relative to your home.

Answer:
I am looking for my first job, and I think Kroger would be a great place to start. I love shopping here, and I already feel like I know where everything is in the store. It’s only a few minutes from my house, so I would always make it to work on time. Plus, I think it would be fun to meet interesting people and help them out with their groceries.

2. What do you know about Kroger?

Companies want to know that you have done your homework and that you know something about who they are as a brand and an institution. You don’t need to know every fact about the company, but having some baseline knowledge at your disposal shows that you care enough to want to learn more. You could also say something about your experience with the store you are applying to.

Answer:
I know Kroger is one of the biggest grocery store chains in the United States. They have almost 3,000 stores operating under a few different names. Kroger offers online ordering and curbside pickup or delivery, which is great for customers who don’t want to spend a long time in the store. Locally, I know this Kroger opened about 70 years ago and my dad’s first job was actually a bagger here when he was in school.

3. Tell me about how your previous work experience has made you qualified for this job.

The interviewer wants to know that you have the hard and soft skills to succeed in the job. If you have previous work experience, talk about what you have done before that is transferable to the current role. If this is your first job, tell that to the interviewer and focus on what you can offer. Talk about any leadership roles you have had at school or in extracurricular activities, including any volunteer work. Mention your enthusiasm for helping people, staying busy, and being useful to others.

Answer:
I’ve had a couple of summer jobs before this. I worked at the waterpark two years ago and helped out at my mom’s store last year. I have also volunteered at the community center on weeknights for the past 4 months. In each of these roles, I regularly helped customers and really enjoyed it.

4. What is your favorite part about your current/previous job?

This question can help you show a little of your personality and show what energizes you about your work. The interviewer wants to know what kind of employee you’ve been in the past, and if that is likely to translate into a good fit for this position. You may choose to relate your answer to the description for this position, or you may have an answer that has nothing to do with the job at hand – either answer is totally fine. Just be honest and direct. Employers want to see this as well.

If this interview is for your first job, the interview will likely skip this question altogether. However, if they don’t, make it clear that you are eager to gain as much experience as possible through this job.

Answer:
My last job was as a cashier for a music store downtown. I got to work with a lot of interesting customers and learned a lot about different kinds of musical instruments. If I was on the service floor, I would direct customers as best as I could to what they were looking for. I also performed other duties like organizing the instruments and equipment. I liked being able to present a clean store to make it easier for people to find what they want.

5. Why are you the best candidate for this job?

This is your time to shine. The interviewer has given you a platform to brag about yourself, so take full advantage of it. Don’t lie about yourself and make yourself sound better than you really are, but don’t be afraid to put your best qualities on display. Think about how your strengths and passion can play into this job.

Answer:
I love helping people, and I think this job would be a great way to do that. Everybody needs groceries, and they want to get what they need as quickly as possible without any problems. I would do my best to make sure that every customer is satisfied with their shopping experience, from the moment they walk in the door till their last bag is loaded up. I am friendly and outgoing and love finding the answers to people’s questions.

6. What is your greatest strength?

This is more specific than asking about why you are the best candidate, but it is another way that interviewers will try to assess your fit for the job. If you’re able to align your greatest strength to the job at hand, great. If not, you can simply talk about what would make you a great employee.

Answer:
I pay close attention to the quality of my work and try to do every job right the first time. I would make sure all items are bagged in the safest and most efficient way possible and will always listen to the customer’s preferences. I’ll answer every question with a smile and will do everything I can to make sure they are satisfied with their shopping experience.

7. What is your greatest weakness, and how are you working to improve it?

No one is trying to trap you by asking this question. An honest and forthright answer here is one way for an interviewer to see if you are aware of ways that you can be a better employee. Remember, the key is to state your weakness and then talk about how you are actively fixing it.

Answer:
Sometimes, I have a hard time staying focused on the job. My manager has spoken to me before about jumping back and forth between jobs and not finishing one task at a time. I have tried to work harder at staying focused at work, and I am doing better at finishing one task before moving onto the next.

8. Define great customer service.

Though Kroger sells groceries, it is all about customer service. The interviewer wants to find someone who will enjoy going above and beyond to make customers happy. Show them that you love helping people and solving problems. Make sure you are smiling as you answer this question in particular.

Answer:
Great customer service means that the customer finds everything they need, they get good value for the money they pay, and that they will return again in the future. Greeting customers with a smile, answering their questions, and making them feel like the most important customer are a few of the ways I will serve them in this job.

9. Tell me about how well you perform under pressure.

Performing well under pressure is essential in any service-related position. Interviewers want to know if you have what it takes to thrive in that kind of environment.

Answer:
I have experience working under pressure and thoroughly enjoy operating at that pace. I have managed the front desk of a small shop before and have been responsible for greeting customers as well as assisting other shoppers, keeping the shelves stocked and the store clean and tidy. I can manage multiple tasks well and enjoy not having a minute to get bored.

10. If a customer was upset, what would you do?

Sooner or later, everyone who works in a grocery store will encounter a customer who cannot be pleased. The important thing when considering your answer – and how you would actually handle the situation – is to show that you won’t lose your cool.

Answer:
I would start by apologizing for their experience, and establish that I truly care and am there to help. Then, I would ask questions and try to understand what the customer wants, then do my best to help them. I think it is critical to really listen to the customer, put yourself in their shoes, and make sure you understand so you can find a solution. If they are still not satisfied or get more upset by the situation, I would suggest that I bring my manager in to help us find a solution together.

Next 30 Most Asked Kroger Interview Questions

  • What do you do in your spare time?
  • What would your previous bosses say about you?
  • How would previous coworkers describe your personality?
  • Please tell me something about yourself that I would not know from reading your application.
  • Do you prefer working alone or working in a team setting?
  • Do you take direction well, and what makes you think so?
  • Describe a time when you took initiative on the job.
  • Do you consider yourself a proactive or a reactive person, and why?
  • How can you deliver excellent customer service in this job?
  • How would you handle conflict with another employee?
  • Describe a time when you worked with someone you did not like.
  • If you saw another employee breaking company policies, what would you do?
  • Describe a time when you had a customer experience that was not resolved well, and what you learned from it.
  • How do you think Kroger stands above the competition?
  • What do Kroger’s company values mean to you?
  • What do you hope to get out of this job?
  • Are you looking for a temporary job or something more permanent?
  • Describe your greatest accomplishment.
  • Have you looked at Kroger as a long-term career opportunity?
  • What is your favorite thing to buy at Kroger?
  • What is your favorite food, and why?
  • What is your availability (what days/hours are you available to work)?
  • What makes someone a good leader?
  • Describe your ideal work environment.
  • Tell me what you would or would not do if you saw a coworker stealing.
  • Where do you see yourself in five years?
  • What are your long-term plans beyond school (or your current career phase)?
  • How many days of work have you missed in the last 6 months? Last year?
  • What was the reason you left your last job/are seeking to leave your current job?
  • What do/did you enjoy studying in school?

10 Best Questions to Ask in a Kroger Interview

Interviewers typically end an interview by asking if you have any questions for them. This can be a great way to discuss anything that wasn’t already covered by the interviewer and to show that you are not only prepared for the interview but genuinely interested in the job. Your questions can also help you gauge whether or not the company is a good fit for you.

  • What type of on-the-job training is available?
  • How can I advance my Kroger career beyond this position?
  • How long have you been working at Kroger and what was your career path?
  • What do you like most about working for Kroger?
  • Please describe what a typical day would look like for me in this role.
  • What are the biggest challenges you think I will face?
  • What can you tell me about the team I would be working with?
  • How does the scheduling work?
  • What are your thoughts on any reasons why you wouldn’t hire me?
  • What are the next steps in the interview process, and how soon will I hear back?

Working at a grocery store like Kroger is a great first job for many, and can lead to a fulfilling career. Landing an interview is half the battle. Making sure that you show your outgoing, friendly and professional nature during the interview is very important for getting an offer. By practicing your answers to the questions in this article, you can relax a little in the interview and let your warm and energetic personality shine through.

Author Biography
Keith Miller has over 25 years of experience as a CEO and serial entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, he has founded several multi-million dollar companies. As a writer, Keith's work has been mentioned in CIO Magazine, Workable, BizTech, and The Charlotte Observer. If you have any questions about the content of this blog post, then please send our content editing team a message here.

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