28 tough questions you may have to answer if you want to work at Whole Foods

July 2024 · 5 minute read
2016-03-01T21:20:00Z

With competitive pay, highly-rated benefits, and a reputation as a "fun place to work and a place where you can grow quickly," lots of people are clamoring to work at Whole Foods Market.

The healthy grocery store chain has more than 88,000 "team members" and has earned a spot on Fortune magazine's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list every year since its inception in 1998.

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Based on Glassdoor reviews of the interview process there, earning a coveted spot at Whole Foods is by no means a breeze.

Here are some of the toughest questions people who have interviewed with the company say they've been asked: 

'If you don't get this position, why do you think that is?' — Whole body team leader candidate

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'Rank each store and leader based on your visits to the entire room of leaders.' — Associate store team leader candidate

Whole Foods Market Inc's Co-chief Executive Walter Robb (L) and Regional President Michael Bashaw wear store aprons during the ground breaking ceremony of the new 20,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market scheduled to open next year in mid-town Detroit, Michigan May 14, 2012. Rebecca Cook/Reuters

'Have you ever told your boss that he shouldn't do something?' — Office candidate

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'Describe how you would make a memorable sandwich for a customer.' — Specialty/wine team member candidate

Whole Foods Market Inc's Co-chief Executive Walter Robb holds up a loaf of "Mo-town multi-grain bread" produced locally at Avalon bakery during the ground breaking ceremony of the new 20,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market scheduled to open next year in mid-town Detroit, Michigan May 14, 2012. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

'Describe a time when you had to roll out a program or policy that you disagreed with. How did you handle this? What did you do?' — Team member services lead candidate

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'If you train people in our stores, what are they going to think of you, since you will be hired in from the outside? How will you gain their respect?' — Pod knowledge coach candidate

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'Plan a dinner party with multiple wine pairings.' — Wine buyer candidate

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'What would you recommend to a person suffering from lack of sleep?' — Health and beauty team member candidate

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'What happens if you get this role and then in a month you realize that you are not able to handle it and it's more than you thought it would be? What will you do?' — Metro support position candidate

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'A snail is climbing a tree. The tree is 15 meters tall. He climbs 5 meters each day and falls 4 meters each night. How many days does it take for the snail to reach to top of the tree?' — Global helpdesk technician candidate

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'What will your three month review look like/reflect on your performance?' — Graphic artist, sign maker candidate

A street performer holds a crystal ball. REUTERS/Andy Clark

'What has been the best moment in your life so far?' — Grocery buyer candidate

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'What should I ask you to find out if I want to hire you or not?' — Customer service team member candidate

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'If you were an animal, what kind would you be and why?' — Non-retail associate accountant candidate

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'If you had to pick between business objectives or the team member, what would you pick?' — Team member services candidate

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'What is the difference between a Belgian beer and a German beer?' — Specialty team member candidate

A participant drinks beer during the Christian Social Union (CSU) party's traditional Ash Wednesday meeting in Passau March 5, 2014. REUTERS/Lukas Barth

'How will you react if you do not get this position?' — Associate seafood team leader candidate

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'What is the difference between organic and natural?' — Cashier candidate

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'Which is more important to you, speed or accuracy?' — Cashier candidate

A worker restocks cream cheese at a Whole Foods in Woodmere Village, Ohio. Associated Press

'What would you do differently than your predecessor?' — Cashier candidate

PASADENA, CA - APRIL 22: Cashier Michelle Yulo hands out free reusable grocery bags at a Whole Foods Market natural and organic foods stores which is ending the use of disposable plastic grocery bags in its 270 stores in the US Canada and UK on Earth Day, April 22, 2008 in Pasadena California. The use of reusable bags has increased since a statewide plastic bag recycling law was enacted in July 2007 requiring grocers to provide in-store plastic bag recycling and to sell reusable shopping bags. Some communities have banned disposable single-use plastic shopping bags because they don?t break down in landfills, and clog waterways, endangering wildlife, and are a major source of litter. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) David McNew/Getty

'What stresses you out?' — Prepared foods team member candidate

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'Design a picnic basket and pair a wine with a cheese.' — Specialty team member candidate

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'How do you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?' — Cashier assistant candidate

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'What is the difference between a manager and a leader?' — Team leader candidate

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"What size turkey do you need to feed 20 people?' — Customer service candidate

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'What would you do if a customer were to yell at you and tried to get you fired?' — Front end supervisor candidate

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'If you had a reality TV show, what would it be called?' — Assistant team leader candidate

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'Describe a recent meal you had in as much detail as possible.' — Grocery team member candidate

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