Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Getting a job at Kroger is a pretty good idea as they are the largest grocery store chain in the United States. That means they’re always looking for people, so you’re likely to land a job. Also, there can be a lot of flexibility in where you work, and you might be able to work your way up the corporate ladder.
Kroger hires people on a regular basis, so it’s a good idea to prepare and do a little research before applying. There’s a good chance that you’ll be called in for an interview soon after applying, so you want to make sure you’re ready for that call.
Looking for a job at Kroger? See open positions at Kroger and related jobs:
Whether you’re applying for a job as a sales associate in a store or as an executive manager at the headquarters, it’s always smart to do a little research and preparation before actually submitting a job application. These quick tips for getting hired at Kroger can help:
Sign up at Zippia to look for job openings at Kroger. You stand a better chance of getting a job if you know what jobs are available.
Update your resume, so you aren’t rushing to do it at the last minute. It’s a great idea to update your resume every time something changes in your professional life. That way, you won’t forget, and it’s always at the ready.
Write the framework for your cover letter. A great cover letter is one that’s customized to the company and the job, but they’re notoriously difficult to write. If you want to get ahead of the curve, creating a solid, generic cover letter helps. This way, you only have to change the key points when applying for a job at Kroger.
Research Kroger to find out what their company culture is like, what they look for in employees, and what tasks you’ll have to do with the job you want.
Reach out to your contacts. Getting a job often is easier if you know someone who works at the company. If you have any connections to people who work at Kroger, contact them to see if they can give you any job tips or if they are willing to recommend you for a job.
Now that you’ve got the basics covered, it’s time to start looking for the job you want and start applying. That’s the easy part; the next hurdle is getting the hiring manager to call you in for an interview.
All job interviews are stressful because they’re so important. The best thing you can do is prepare for it, so you’re confident in your answers and comfortable talking to the interviewer. Reviewing these Kroger job interview questions and answers will help you prepare.
We also recommend having someone ask you the questions, and then you answer them as though you were at the interview. It will help with your nerves and maybe give you more information about the answers you want to give.
Remember, these are just possible questions, and the answers you give will need to be customized to fit your experience, education, and interests.
Why do you want to work at Kroger?
Obviously, the company wants to hear why you picked them over all of the other jobs available.
Example Answer:
I am looking for an entry-level job because I’ll be graduating high school soon and need to find a way to make some money. I picked Kroger because my family regularly shops here, so I’m comfortable and familiar with the store.
And I think Kroger would be a good opportunity for me to get some job skills in different areas and learn more about retail and the grocery business.
Do you have any experience working in customer service or with the public?
Most jobs at Kroger deal directly with other people, so this question is one you’re probably going to encounter. Likewise, the interviewer or hiring manager is looking for someone who is good at dealing with the public and maybe already has some experience.
Example Answer:
As a member of the cheer squad, I worked at the concession stands at all our school football and basketball games. Sometimes, I would take orders from long lines of people, anxious to get back out to the game. Other times I handled the cash register and had to make changes for people and make sure I entered their orders correctly.
And then, there were times when I was a food runner and brought out the orders. I think all of these experiences are very similar to what I’d be doing if you hired me for this cashier opening, which is part of the reason I’m interested in this job.
What qualifications do you have that would make you a great hire for our Kroger store?
Sell yourself. This is a great opportunity to tell them why you’re the perfect person for the job.
Example Answer:
Well, I just explained how I’d done some similar work at our school concession stands. I really liked that work and looked forward to it every week. I think I’m good with people, not just the customers but also my fellow cheer squad members and their parents, who also would help work the concession stands.
I just enjoy talking to people and working with them. I also love fast-paced work because you don’t even feel like you’re working.
What hours are you looking for, and do you have any flexibility in that?
Many of the jobs at Kroger are going to involve working in the store. Some people may have set hours, especially at headquarters or if they have office jobs, but they might even need to be flexible. The grocery business has some odd hours with holiday work required, and some stores are open 24 hours. Flexibility can be important.
Example Answer:
After I graduate from high school, my hours will be very flexible. Obviously, until then, I will only be able to work after school until 10:00 pm as the local law allows. But after graduation, I will be able to work more hours and will have a lot of flexibility.
Can you explain a time when you made a mistake and how you fixed it?
This is a behavioral question, and they’re very common in job interviews. The interviewer isn’t really interested in the mistake you made but how you behaved when you discovered there was a mistake.
Example Answer:
There was one time when I forgot about working the concessions stand for a game. I was helping my parents when my friend Steve called to see why I wasn’t there. I knew my parents really needed my help, but I had told the cheer team I’d be there.
I felt bad about the situation, so I called my friend Sara and asked her if she could fill in for me at the concession stand for an hour or two, so I could finish helping my parents, and then I would be there.
Luckily, Sara was available and willing to help. It all worked out in the end, but now I keep a schedule on my phone and a written one, so I remember my obligations.
How have you dealt with someone you don’t get along with?
This question is looking to determine what your soft skills are. Soft skills are not necessarily something you can learn; they’re typically abilities you’ve developed or were born with. Interpersonal communication and conflict resolution are big ones, and they’re important for most jobs.
Example Answer:
In the beginning, I didn’t like one of the other guys on the cheer team. I thought he was pretty arrogant because he kept telling us how they used to do it at his old school and not really paying attention to how we do things.
I then tried to think about it from his perspective and realized he was actually just trying to make friends and get along with people. He thought he was helpful, and I just wasn’t giving him a chance.
Then, I started trying to be his friend and listening to him, and he stopped telling everyone what to do, and sometimes we found that his ideas were good ones.
Why should we hire you over another applicant?
This is another chance to sell yourself and let them know why you’re the best. If you don’t have a lot of job experience or qualifications yet, then sell them on your enthusiasm and your willingness to learn.
Example Answer:
I don’t have a lot of experience working as this would be my first real job, but I think that I want to work more than most people do. My parents wouldn’t let me get a job during school because they thought I had enough activities during the year, and they wanted me to focus on my grades.
While my friends all had jobs, I was very jealous and went back to my parents, and they agreed that I should look for a job. This is why I’m so excited to start working and earning money and learning some life skills that I can expand on and figure out what I really enjoy doing.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
This is a little tricky because the interviewer could be looking for someone who will stay with the company, or they could be gauging your honesty. Your best bet is to be truthful.
Example Answer:
I would like to go to college or at least get an associates degree of some sort. I’m thinking about management or maybe something in marketing. I haven’t decided yet because I don’t have a lot of experience and want to figure it out before I start going to school.
So, I hope in five years that I’ve decided what I want to study and earned enough money to start going to school and paying for it without taking out big loans. I’d like to still be working here, maybe moving up the ladder into management or marketing while I’m taking classes. I think that would be ideal.
What do you know about working at Kroger?
They could be trying to determine if you really understand the job or wondering if you’ve done your research and know about the company culture and specifics of the benefits packages. Showing that you did some research here can go a long way.
Example Answer:
My mom’s best friend, Sally Jones, works here and she really likes the job. I asked Sally a lot about it, and she thought I’d really like the work and the people. She also thinks I’ll fit in well. I know this local store pretty well, and everyone in it seems very friendly, so I do think I’d fit in with the culture here and enjoy the work.
I’ve also done a little research, and I know that you have a great health insurance plan, there are employee discounts, a good training program, and that you like to promote from within. All of this sounds perfect to me.
How would your last employer describe your work ethic?
This is an interesting question because you know how they want you to answer it. So how do you turn that into something that’s a standout? Everyone is going to say their last boss would say they’re a hard worker. Can you take this interview answer to the next level?
Example Answer:
I haven’t had the last employer, but I’ll use my cheer coach in this example since he was in charge of us at the concession stand and when we cheer. He’s a great guy, and I think he likes me overall as a person. I’m always willing to help and lead our team.
I was named co-captain this past year, and I think that’s because I try to keep everyone feeling included and uplifted. It’s okay to have a bad day and do not feel up to working too hard, but you still need to contribute to the team. That’s especially important in cheer when other people could get hurt if you’re not doing your share.
I try to always be a team player, which means doing my share and helping lift others when they’re having a hard time. I think the coach sees that in me.