20 Giant Eagle Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a Giant Eagle job interview, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, customer service skills, and ability to handle different types of situations. You may also be asked questions about Giant Eagle’s products, services, and policies. Here are some sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Giant Eagle Interview Process

The interview process at Giant Eagle can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like cashier or grocery clerk, the process may be as simple as a phone interview followed by an in-person interview at the store. For other positions, like pharmacy intern or social media strategist, the process may involve multiple rounds of interviews with different members of the company. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, though some applicants have reported waiting for a long time to hear back about their application status.

1. What would you do if a customer was unhappy with their purchase?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle customer complaints. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you are a problem solver and have good communication skills.

Example: “If a customer was unhappy with their purchase, I would first apologize for any inconvenience they experienced. Then, I would ask them what they were looking for in a product so I could recommend something similar or find it for them. If they wanted a refund, I would offer to exchange the item or give them store credit.”

2. How would you handle a difficult customer service situation?

Customer service is a vital part of working in retail. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and experience needed to help customers with their shopping needs. In your answer, explain how you would handle this situation if it ever happened at Giant Eagle. Explain that you are willing to go above and beyond for customers.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they couldn’t find one of our products on the shelf. I apologized and told them I would check the inventory to see if we had any more in the back. After checking, I found out we did have some left in the back room. I offered to give them a raincheck so they could get the product when we got more in stock. They were happy with my solution and gave me a good tip.”

3. Do you have experience working in the pharmacy industry?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working in a pharmacy setting. If you do, they may want to know more about your responsibilities and how well you performed them. If you don’t have experience working in the pharmacy industry, you can explain why not and what other types of work you’ve done that are similar.

Example: “I worked as a cashier at my local Giant Eagle for two years before I moved to Florida. While there, I worked as a sales associate at a department store where I helped customers find items on our shelves and assisted with returns.”

4. Describe your experience handling money and operating cash registers.

Cashiers are an important part of a supermarket’s operations. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the experience needed for the job and that you can handle cash responsibly. Before your interview, review your resume to see if you have any previous cashiering experience. If you do, share it with the interviewer. If not, explain how you would be able to learn the position quickly.

Example: “I’ve worked as a cashier at my local grocery store since I was 16 years old. I know how to operate all aspects of a register, including scanning items, accepting payments and counting change. I also understand the importance of handling money safely and securely. In fact, I am so comfortable with operating registers that I often help other cashiers when they need assistance.”

5. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with an angry or upset customer, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and stress. This is a great opportunity to show your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and empathy for customers.

Example: “I had an upset customer once who was looking for a specific brand of potato chips that we didn’t have in stock. I apologized and offered her some alternatives, but she wasn’t satisfied with any of them. She started yelling at me and demanding to speak to my manager. I remained calm and explained the situation again, offering to call another store if they had the product. Eventually, she calmed down and left the store.”

6. When was the last time you worked in a team environment?

Working in a team environment is an important part of working at Giant Eagle. Teamwork and collaboration are essential to the company’s success, so interviewers want to know that you’re willing to work with others and can contribute to a positive workplace culture.

Example: “I’ve worked in a team environment for most of my career, but I find it especially beneficial when working on projects or assignments where multiple people have different skill sets. In my last position as a marketing specialist, I was tasked with creating a new ad campaign for one of our brands. My supervisor had some ideas about what she wanted the ads to look like, but she also gave me free rein to create something unique and exciting. She trusted me to do my job well, and I think that helped us come up with a successful campaign.”

7. Why are you interested in pursuing a career as a Pharmacy Technician?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the role and why you are qualified. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific experience or skill that led you to pursue this career path.

Example: “I have always been interested in helping others, so I decided to become a nurse. However, after taking some pre-requisites, I realized nursing school was not the right fit for me. Instead, I am pursuing a career as a Pharmacy Technician because I enjoy working with people and solving problems. In my last job, I helped customers find what they were looking for and assisted them with their questions.”

8. What is your availability like?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can work the hours they need. They also want to know if you have any scheduling conflicts that might prevent you from working a full schedule. When answering, be honest about your availability and try to show how flexible you are. If you’re not available for every shift or on certain days, explain why.

Example: “I am currently only able to work weekdays between 10am and 6pm. I’m looking for a job closer to home so my commute is shorter, which means I would no longer be able to work weekends. However, I am willing to do overtime when needed.”

9. Are you familiar with Giant Eagle’s products? If so, what are some of your favorites?

This question is a great way to see if you are familiar with the company’s products and brands. It also allows you to show your personality by sharing some of your favorite items.

Example: “I am very familiar with Giant Eagle’s products, as I shop there often. Some of my favorites include Giant Eagle’s own brand of ice cream, which is delicious. I also love their frozen pizza selection, especially the pepperoni pizza. I think it’s important for grocery stores to have quality food options that people can enjoy at home.”

10. Do you think you would be comfortable selling customers on store brands vs. name brand items?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are comfortable with selling and promoting products that aren’t as well-known. It’s important to show your ability to sell any product, whether it’s a brand name or not.

Example: “I think I would be very comfortable selling store brands because I know many customers prefer them for their value and quality. In my last position, I was responsible for helping customers find what they were looking for in our store brand items. For example, if someone wanted a specific type of pasta sauce, I helped them find the right one from our store brand.”

11. What are two things that you would consider yourself to be really good at?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have confidence in yourself and your abilities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what skills or talents you have that would help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I consider myself to be really good at multitasking and problem-solving. In my last position as a cashier, I was responsible for checking out customers while also helping other employees with tasks like stocking shelves. This required me to balance multiple responsibilities at once, which helped me develop these skills.”

12. At Giant Eagle we pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service; can you describe for us your approach to providing exceptional customer service?

Customer service is an important part of any retail job, and Giant Eagle wants to ensure that their employees are able to provide excellent customer service. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give specific examples of how you have provided exceptional customer service in the past.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent customer service starts with having a positive attitude. I am always friendly and helpful when interacting with customers, and I try my best to make sure they leave happy. Another way I provide great customer service is by anticipating what customers might need before they even ask for it. For example, if I see someone looking at a product, I will offer them assistance.”

13. Would you consider yourself to be tech-savvy?

Giant Eagle is a company that has embraced technology and innovation, so it’s important to show you can keep up with the latest trends. If you’re not as tech-savvy as some of your peers, consider taking a few online courses or reading articles about new technologies in the food industry.

Example: “I’m definitely tech-savvy, but I know there are always new things to learn. I’ve been following the development of blockchain technology for quite some time now, and I think it could be an interesting way to track produce from farm to store shelves. I also have a friend who works at Amazon who told me about their plans to use drones to deliver groceries.”

14. Tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle stress and pressure. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Example: “When I was working as a cashier at my local grocery store, we had a rush of customers right before closing time. This meant that the lines were long and there were many people waiting to check out. I knew that if I didn’t get all of the customers through checkout quickly, it would take me longer than usual to finish my shift. So, I focused on checking each customer’s items as they came up in the system and helped them find their items when needed.”

15. Which shift works best for your schedule?

Employers ask this question to see if you are flexible with your schedule. They want employees who can work any shift, but they also want to know that you will be able to show up for work on time and complete the job. When answering this question, let them know which shifts you would prefer and why.

Example: “I am available to work any shift as long as it is during normal business hours. I have a family at home, so I would prefer not to work nights or weekends. However, I understand that sometimes we need to do what’s best for the company.”

16. What is your experience with preparing meals?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your cooking skills. They want to know if you have experience with meal planning, grocery shopping and preparing meals in general. If you do not have any experience, you can talk about how you would approach this task.

Example: “I am an experienced cook who enjoys making healthy meals at home. I find that it’s important to plan out my meals ahead of time so I don’t waste food or money on ingredients I won’t use. I also like to shop for groceries once per week so I always have fresh produce and other ingredients on hand.”

17. Have you ever sold memberships before?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience selling products or services. If you do, the interviewer will likely want to know more about your previous experiences and how they relate to this position.

Example: “I worked at a local gym for two years where I sold memberships and also helped with sales of personal training sessions. This job was very similar in that it required me to sell customers on our brand while providing them with information about our products and services.”

18. What are three words that best describe you?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality matches their company culture and values. When answering this question, try to be genuine and highlight any skills or traits that will help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I would say I’m driven, empathetic and organized. These are three qualities that have helped me achieve my goals throughout my career. For example, being driven has allowed me to work hard and exceed expectations. Empathy helps me understand others’ perspectives and make decisions that benefit everyone involved. Finally, organization allows me to stay on top of my tasks and complete them efficiently.”

19. How well do you work in a fast paced environment?

Working in a supermarket can be quite fast-paced, especially during peak hours. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working under pressure and that you have the ability to multitask. In your answer, explain how you stay organized and prioritize tasks. Show them that you are able to work quickly while still maintaining quality results.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. I find it easier to get things done when there is more activity around me. I also find that I am better at multitasking than most people. When I’m working in a supermarket, I always try to keep my workspace as organized as possible so I know exactly where everything is. This helps me move through my tasks much quicker.”

20. We want our employees to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

This question is a great way to see if you are ready for the independent work environment of Giant Eagle. You can answer this question by explaining your previous experience working independently and how it helped you succeed in your career.

Example: “I have worked independently throughout my entire career, so I am used to being able to complete tasks without much supervision. In fact, I find that I am more productive when I don’t have someone looking over my shoulder all the time. I think that I would be a good fit for an independent work environment because I know that I can get things done on my own.”