Loblaws Interview

Job Interview Experience

How to get ready for a interview with Loblaws!

Hiring Process

Loblaws offers a standard and straightforward interview process for the convenience of prospective workers. The grocery retailer accepts job applications online and in stores and usually reviews submitted materials within a few weeks of receipt. Loblaws hiring managers then contact selected applicants to schedule in-store interviews. The initial contact often doubles as an introductory phone interview for managerial candidates.

What Happens at the Interview?
At the onsite interview, entry-level job seekers typically meet with Loblaws store management one-on-one. Interviews usually last around 15 minutes and generally focus on previous work experience, hours of availability, and the job requirements of the entry-level position desired.

Possible Test
Loblaws job interviews sometimes include online testing to evaluate applicant computer skills and personalities.

For Managers
Applicants pursuing Loblaws store management jobs often encounter longer interviews with detailed discussions about employment histories and hypothetical workplace situations.

How Should You Behave?
Regardless of career level or experience, candidates should observe established interview procedures to increase chances for employment. Show genuine enthusiasm for the position by researching Loblaws, reviewing the job description in advance, preparing a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview, and arriving 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled time.

Social Cues
During the interview, maintain eye contact with the Loblaws hiring manager and answer questions completely yet concisely.

After the Interview
Follow up a few days afterwards to communicate ongoing interest in the job with the supermarket chain.

Second Interview Expectations
While Loblaws typically makes entry-level hiring decisions after a single interview, leadership positions and managerial jobs frequently require multiple interview sessions. Second interviews often feature a panel of interviewers composed of either the store management team or Loblaws corporate officials, depending on the job title in question.

Be Ready to Discuss Your Experience
As applicants advance through the hiring process, interviews usually develop into lengthy meetings involving in-depth conversations on the details of previous jobs. Candidates should come to second interviews ready to share specific professional accomplishments and other examples of job-related strengths that prove necessary to work at Loblaws.

Video interview with Loblaws employee:

Video Transcript

Interviewer:
Please describe your job title and primary duties.

Loblaws Cashier:
I was a cashier there. Basically I was at the checkout taking money from customers when they are buying products.

Interviewer:
What was the work environment like?

Loblaws Cashier:
It was pretty laid back. I mean, I had a good relationship with my other coworkers and my supervisor. It was great. Yeah.

Interviewer:
How would you describe the application and interview process?

Loblaws Cashier:
When I gave him my resume, I gave it in-store because I knew someone who had already work there and yeah, that was about it.

Interviewer:
What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?

Loblaws Cashier:
They asked me mainly why I wanted the job and if I had any other previous experience and things like that.

Interviewer:
What set you apart from other candidates?

Loblaws Cashier:
I think it was the fact that I really wanted the job, honestly, because at the time I really needed the money. So, I was really motivated to get the job and I had more open hours than like… Hours that I was available to work, maybe.

Interviewer:
What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?

Loblaws Cashier:
I guess it helps if you already have experience, but just honestly, just be yourself during the interview. I mean, usually they’re looking for people who are motivated, who want to work there, and who need a job basically.

Video Transcript

Interviewer:
Please describe your job title and primary duties.

Loblaws Product Demonstrator:
Mostly did food product demonstrating. So within Loblaws, we would just basically have to prepare certain foods and offer them to customers in the store and get them to try different things. That was basically it.

Interviewer:
How would you describe the application and interview process?

Loblaws Product Demonstrator:
I did a telephone interview for that one, so I basically found the job online on Kijiji. And then I sent them an email and then they called me and I did a telephone interview.

Interviewer:
What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?

Loblaws Product Demonstrator:
What was the general area that I live in terms of placing in a Loblaws, that kind of stuff. Have I had experience working with food? Do I have a food certificate, handling certificate. That was basically it.

Interviewer:
What set you apart from other candidates?

Loblaws Product Demonstrator:
Well, you have to work alone, so you have to have a level of confidence to be able to work by yourself. And I’m self-sufficient so I feel like that set me apart in a sense.

Interviewer:
What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?

Loblaws Product Demonstrator:
I think it’s just about being personable and having good customer service skills. I think that’s the main thing. That was the only thing that I really say would set you apart. Yeah, just customer service. That’s really important.

Interviewer:
Please describe your job title and primary duties.

Loblaws Food Sampler:
I’m the food sampler. I give out samples of foods to customers. So, and then I usually give out coupons and stuff so that they can buy the products.

Interviewer:
What was the work environment like?

Loblaws Food Sampler:
The work environment is actually really awesome. Loblaws, it has incredibly friendly staff and the customers are really friendly towards you. Honestly, I have a lot of fun at my workplace and it’s really great.

Interviewer:
How would you describe the application and interview process?

Loblaws Food Sampler:
The hiring process, it was kind of tedious. I had to give my resume online and then I had to do an interview with my manager and I had to wait a week and then another interview. After that it was totally fine. I got my job.

Interviewer:
What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?

Loblaws Food Sampler:
He asked if I could use the internet and stuff because the time stub is on the line. They also asked if I was able to stand on my feet for a long period of time because when I sample food, I only stand up and yeah, that’s two of the big questions.

Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?

Loblaws Food Sampler:
Don’t shirk your responsibilities. When your manager tells you to do stuff, don’t dilly dally, I guess, because I know someone that didn’t really do anything in the workplace. He kind of just stayed in the back and then he got fired. So, yeah.

Possible Interview Questions and Answers

Q: What is your favorite Loblaws product? Why?
A: I like the fresh produce. I’m a healthy eater, and I enjoy the fact Loblaws sells a wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables, as I’m sure other customers are, because it helps me live the healthy lifestyle I strive for.

Q: Describe a time when you disagreed with your boss. What did you do about it?
A: I normally don’t have issues with my employers. I try to keep open lines of communication about scheduling and daily tasks, so problems never arise.

Q: What does good customer service mean to you?
A: I’d like to think good customer service serves as the foundation for any company involved in retail.

Top Interview Questions

Loblaws Produce Specialist

Video Transcript

Interviewer:
Please describe your job title and primary duties.

Loblaws Produce Specialist:
So, it was produce. So, basically, you have about four or five people on position at once, and we basically handled the fruits, some of the salads, and usually bringing in boxes and throwing out garbage. Yeah.

Interviewer:
What was the work environment like?

Loblaws Produce Specialist:
It’s depending on location usually, or the amount of people that are coming in. It can be busy. Sometimes it can be quiet. But I work downtown, so from my personal experience, it was quite overwhelming because the amount of people that are coming in, so you have to work at a fast pace some of the times, yeah.

Interviewer:
How would you describe the application and interview process?

Loblaws Produce Specialist:
Hiring process? Usually, they have certain requirements. You have to be able to lift over 50 pounds, I believe. You shouldn’t have any injury problems or back problems or anything like that, because it involves lifting boxes and things like that, right. So, the job requirement is just, bringing your resume, and then you go on probation for a couple of months to see how you behave, come on your shift. And then after you pass your probation, they give you the job. And that’s basically what it is.

Interviewer:
What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?

Loblaws Produce Specialist:
Be on time for your job, because it managers over there, depending on where you work, at Loblaws, you need to be on time. And you should be able… If you can’t work with heavy equipment or materials, I would advise you not to go there and work at produce. Find a different department, like cashier or something to do.

Interview Tips

How to Dress
Most jobs at Loblaws feature high rates of customer interaction, and the grocery retailer tends to hire workers with equally high standards of professionalism. Hiring managers often assess the competence and maturity of applicants based in part on interview attire.

What to Wear
For the best possible first impression, Loblaws job seekers should arrive to the interview wearing business-casual apparel, such as dress pants and collared shirts for males and skirts or dress pants with appropriately conservative tops for females. Candidates who make the extra effort to look professional will immediately gain additional hiring consideration from Loblaws over applicants who come to job interviews in jeans and t-shirts.